Why Scott Stapp's situation needs to be taken seriously.

photo credit: gossip cop

As some of you know, Creed frontman Scott Stapp is broke and living in a Holiday Inn (according to a video he uploaded to Facebook last month).
In the video, he stated that people were stealing his money, he is flat broke, and he is living in a hotel. He also stated that he was relying on God until justice is served. He claims that the CIA froze all of his accounts.

Here are the videos that he has put out:

He talks a lot about God, and also makes some unsettling threats against his wife and children. He was placed on a 72-hour psychiatric hold. 

Now, he is back in the news because he threatened to assassinate President Barack Obama. He said that he was ordered to by the CIA (he claimed to be a part of the CIA). His estranged wife tried to have him put on psychiatric hold for that, but it did not happen.

Many people have taken to social media to express their opinion about Stapp's mental state. Many people are making jokes about it. While these videos are a bit 'left of center,' there is a cause for concern for Stapp's mental health.

One thing that I want to reiterate to you all is that mental illness is not a joke. Mental illness should not be mocked or laughed at. It is blatantly obvious that he is troubled. Whether he has a substance abuse problem or not (people have commented that he is probably on drugs), he needs to get some sort of help. 

I'm not a fan of Creed, but when I see someone who is obviously troubled and being mocked, I have this urge to say something, since I have mental illness. Most of you know about my struggles with Bipolar, depression, and panic disorder. The thing that makes me different from Scott Stapp is that I'm medicated, and can recognize when I am spiraling out of control. I can redirect myself to write, paint, listen to music, or clean the house. Keeping myself busy can help me focus on something else, and work through my emotions.

Mr. Stapp needs to admit that he is troubled before going into treatment. In order for treatment to work, you have to be open to receiving help. If you're not open to treatment, you will not get better.

I sincerely hope that he becomes receptive to help. I know things stink for him right now, but it does not last. Things can get better.

Everyone who is mocking him and talking negatively about him, you are not helping the situation. He needs help, not your ignorance. People have been known to take their own lives because of incessant bullying, including cyber-bullying. Please think before you speak.

Today is National Bipolar Awareness Day!

photo credit: suhanijian

An estimated 5.7 million people in the United States live with Bipolar Disorder.

A person with Bipolar Disorder experiences extreme mood swings from mania to depression. The mania is associated with abnormal levels of happiness and irritability. Occasionally, the Bipolar individual will experience psychosis with mania. During mania, the individual makes poor decisions and also faces a lack of sleep.
During the depressive mood swing, the individual has a poor outlook on life. The individual may be having thoughts of suicide or self-injury.

photo credit: suhanijain

Bipolar Disorder is genetic and environmental factors can trigger the Bipolar mood swings.
Bipolar is a life-long disorder and is stabilized by medication and therapy. If the Bipolar individual is a danger to themselves and/or others, they are hospitalized and evaluated.

Many individuals who have Bipolar Disorders also have anxiety disorder.

There is a stigma associated with Bipolar Disorder. Society sees Bipolar individuals as psychotic, dangerous, and criminal. While there are Bipolar individuals who fall under the category of dangerous, not all of us are. Those of us who are in treatment (and take meds regularly) are able to function well in society. Those who do not accept treatment are the ones who are at risk for becoming dangerous to themselves and others.

Bipolar Disorder is serious and treatment is extremely important.

My story:
I am the product of two parents who suffer from mental illness. My dad suffers from depression, and my mom suffers from Bipolar Disorder. I have suffered from depression for most of my life. My first experience with depression happened when I was very very young.
In 2009, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. I will never forget that year. I was in college, working a double load, and holding down a full-time job. Around exam time, I noticed my behavior had changed. I became impulsive, irritable, stressed, abnormally happy, and incredibly depressed. I would be super manic, and then I would crash. I couldn't focus and I ended up failing my finals miserably. I was self-injuring and during a manic episode I dropped out of college. I remember walking around campus crying and freaking out.
I went to my doctor and she diagnosed me. I was almost hospitalized because she saw the cuts on my arms.
Luckily, I was able to find a good mix of medication that has stabilized me. I still have manic and depressive mood swings, but they do not last as long. I've spent time learning about what triggers my moods, and I'm able to identify which moods are the Bipolar Disorder, and which moods are my "normal" self. Knowing this, and using healthy coping techniques, has saved my life. If I weren't taking my medication regularly and not using healthy coping techniques, I wouldn't be here today.
Sometimes I DO forget to take my meds, and it really messes me up. I make sure I take my meds at the next dosage.

My Bipolar mood swings do scare me. I think about how frazzled my mind gets and I think about the extremes of my mood. My stress is always high, sometimes I am crying for no reason, and, at times, I experience psychosis. I think that people talk about me behind my back, and I think that people believe I am a worthless human being. I have it in my mind that these people don't think I'm good enough.
I don't talk about it with anyone, which IS a problem. I pretty much internalize it. Deep down, I know that those thoughts aren't true, it's just my Bipolar trying to trick me.
These issues (and more) are the reason why I make darn sure I take my medication. The last thing I need, and others need, is a meltdown. My meltdowns are NOT pretty.

It is important for Bipolar individuals to take meds regularly. Not doing so, even for a day, can trigger mood swings.

I was called every name in the book in grade school, and I was even stigmatized at a job for having Bipolar Disorder. Educating society about mental illness can help lower the rate of bullying and suicide.

The reason why I talk about my story is because I want others to know that they are NOT alone! I used to think that I was alone. I want to be the person I wish I had back in the day. We have to empower each other. We are the only ones who understand what we are going through.

Like I mentioned before, Us Bipolars are not dangerous. Most of us are receptive to treatment, and are able to function beautifully everyday. We are able to have stable relationships and raise children with no problem.
We don't deserve to be stigmatized. I will continue to fight for people who have mental illness(es). These are my people, and none of us deserve ill treatment from society. We are fighting a battle that you will never understand, and those of us in treatment fight the battle with a smile on our face.

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day **Trigger Warning**

photo credit: bdnews24

Today, September 10th, is World Suicide Prevention Day. 

At least 3,000 people around the world commit suicide on a daily basis. In a year, that equals to around 1 million people.
That number is just mind-boggling.

"Oh, they are just doing it for attention!"

That above statement is said by those who don't truly know what it means to be depressed enough to contemplate suicide. Those people don't take the time to understand what the other person is going through.
The world of a depressed person is dark and lonely. Life becomes a prison, a death sentence. Everyday is a nightmare that you cannot escape. You feel as if everyone would be better off if you were gone. You look at yourself in the mirror and all you feel is hate. You feel worthless, ugly, hopeless, and a burden on your loved ones. You feel as if no one cares whether you live or die.

See, these feelings are not felt by individuals "looking for attention." These feelings are painful and real. These individuals who are that depressed feel that there is no way out.

Thoughts of suicide are influenced by many triggers. Folks who are born with the genetic marker for depression are at a much higher risk for suicide.
Thoughts of suicide can also be caused by environmental, psycho-social, and cultural factors (in the depression and bipolar communities, we call these 'triggers').

World Suicide Prevention Day started in 2003 and it is run by IASP (the WHO also co-sponsors the event).
The goal of World Suicide Prevention Day is to:

• Raise awareness about suicide prevention
• Improve the public's knowledge about depression and suicide
• Have this awareness spread across the globe
• Attempt to eliminate the stigma that goes along with depression and suicide

My story:
I was born with the genetic marker for depression. Both my parents struggle with mental illness, so, of course, I was going to inherit some of those genes.
I have been clinically depressed since I was 7. I didn't have an ideal upbringing and I went through a lot of scary moments. Before I turned 8, I was hospitalized (in a psychiatric hospital) for scratching my arms until they bled. That was my first experience with cutting. I hated who I was, and those feelings increased as I got older. 
When I hit my teen years, my mental health was at its lowest point. I was diagnosed with severe Depression, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Schizo-affective Disorder (Schizo-affective Disorder is MUCH different from Schizophrenia). I was in and out of psychiatric hospitals for 10 years (from ages 7 to 17). During this time, I was cutting with knives and I was suicidal. I tried choking myself in hopes of permanently passing out. I overdosed many many times (I once overdosed while I was in school). I tried slitting my own throat. I had some close calls. I didn't think I would make it to my 18th birthday (not many people did). My last suicide attempt happened around my 18th birthday. I was rushed to the hospital and treated.
I genuinely wanted to die. I was disliked by my peers, I put my dad through hell, and I felt like the most disgusting being on earth. I felt like my existence was a cruel joke. Boys wouldn't even talk to me because of my weight and I was bullied relentlessly.

I'm going to be 32 in December, and I'm in a much better place than I was back then. I haven't attempted suicide since before my 18th birthday. I haven't cut or burned myself since 2010. Do I still have thoughts about hurting myself? Yes. I just don't act on those thoughts. I've overcome a lot since then, but I still have my struggles, especially during tough times. In 2009, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Panic Disorder. I take my meds every day and use coping techniques to help myself out of my depressive mood swings. I actually know when my thoughts are manic or depressive. When my Bipolar starts cycling, I have to remember to breathe and acknowledge that something is wrong. I take a step back, tell myself that these thoughts are due to my illness, and I problem-solve ways to overcome these thoughts. This method can take days, weeks, and even months, but I know that I'm in a good place, because I know what is happening and I refuse to give in to my disorder.

Conclusion:
Suicide is 100% preventable. If you are having thoughts of suicide, please talk to someone. There are people out there that DO understand. I know all too well about these thoughts. I'm always available to talk to you if you need someone to vent to or cry to. I didn't have anyone that I could talk to, and I spent a lot of time in my 20s wanting to be THAT PERSON who could be there for someone who is going through what I went through.
I know how real your feelings are, and I know how real your desire is to end your life. Please don't do it. There is hope. I'm walking proof that things can turn around. I'm glad to be alive. I'm glad that I didn't succeed in my attempts all those years ago. You just have to take it one day at a time. If that is too long, take things one minute or one hour at a time.

You CAN be a success story too. Please don't give up on yourself. We are much stronger than we realize. You may not believe that you can be a success, but just read my story and understand that things CAN change for you too.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a number I have called (a family member was contemplating suicide and I called to get them help), and the people on the other line are caring, wonderful people. They are available 24/7/365.
Please call them if you need someone to talk to. Their number is: 1-800-273-TALK.
Also, if you want to chat with me, you can email me at: shausil82@gmail.com