Tag: generalized anxiety disorder

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#34 Making Rap Music As Therapy

making rap music as therapy mental health podcast

Dillon and Wesley are a rap duet who perform under the names Weslex and MySYN. Wesley and Dillon took different paths through life.  Whereas Dillon was the broody kid a little withdrawn from others, writing poetry and coming from a broken home.  Wesley was the sociable, happy kid making everybody laugh. Despite different paths, their church brought them together. Wesley’s determination to make a hip-hop record lead them to record “A Really Bad Mixtape”, an album that deals with depression, dysthymia and bipolar. There they discovered making rap music is therapy.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:24 — 21.6MB)

In this episode of Silent Superheroes, Wesley and Dillon share their different paths to diagnosis. They also talk about how they started making music together, and the role of music as therapy in their lives.  Finally, they reflect on what they’ve learned through this journey and offer hope to those who are suffering but not yet diagnosed.

Links

  • Mood Swings Pt. 1 (song)
  • Depression 101 (song)
  • A Really Bad Mix Tape (album)
  • Wesley on Soundcloud (profile)

About Bipolar

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes big mood swings. For example, emotional highs called mania or hypomania, and lows called depression. On the other hand, bipolar disorder used to be called manic depression.

When depressed, bipolar patients may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest in most activities. Then, when the mood shifts to mania, patients may feel happy, full of energy or unusually irritable. These mood swings can affect sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behavior and the ability to think clearly.

Episodes of mood swings may occur rarely or multiple times a year. While most patients will experience some emotional symptoms between episodes, some may not experience any. Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, patients manage mood swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan. In most cases, bipolar disorder is treated with medications and counseling.

Getting Support

Remember, the people you hear on Silent Superheroes are sharing their own views about mental health and mental illness. They are not giving advice. For that reason, please consult with your care provider before making a change to your treatment plan.

It’s important to take your mental health seriously. Consequently, if you need to speak to someone you can call 1-800-273-8255, or text crisistextline.org on 741741. Both provide 24×7 confidential counseling to people in the United States. Worldwide visit http://iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/

Because you listened to the  podcast, you can help others find it by leaving us a review on iTunes. Or if you don’t use iTunes, leave a review on your favorite podcasting service.

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#29 Can You Climb The Ladder with Panic Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder mental health podcast

Ruth is a successful businesswoman who lived, undiagnosed, with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder for 20 years. One day, after a run-of-the-mill setback work, she found herself in her bath, contemplating suicide.  The next day, Ruth wondered who the woman was with dead eyes looking back at her. She had to go one more step down the ladder before she was able to connect with a mental health professional and start figuring out the panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder that had plagued her for 20 years.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:07 — 29.0MB)

In this episode of Silent Superheroes, Ruth explains what Panic Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are.  She talks about the sequence of events that brought 20 years of panic disorder and GAD to a head.  We discuss how workplaces create a self-perpetuating cycle that is hostile to good mental health.  And finally Ruth, now the Managing Director of Champs Consulting, leads a business bringing the conversation about mental health and tools to manage it to employers all over the world.

Links

  • Champs Consulting, Ruth’s business (business)

About Panic Attacks

A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur, you might think you’re losing control, having a heart attack or even dying.

Many people have just one or two panic attacks in their lifetimes, and the problem goes away, perhaps when a stressful situation ends. But if you’ve had recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and spent long periods in constant fear of another attack, you may have a condition called panic disorder.

Although panic attacks themselves aren’t life-threatening, they can be frightening and significantly affect your quality of life. But treatment can be very effective.

Getting Support

Remember, the people you hear on Silent Superheroes are sharing their opinions about mental health and mental illness. They are not giving advice. For that reason, please consult with your care provider before making a change to your treatment approach.

It’s important to take your mental health seriously. Consequently, if you need to speak to someone you can call 1-800-273-8255, or text crisistextline.org on 741741. Both provide 24×7 confidential counseling to people in the United States. Worldwide visit http://iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/

Because you listened to the  podcast, you can help others find it by leaving us a review on iTunes. Or if you don’t use iTunes, leave a review on your favorite podcasting service.