In my last blog we took a look at how research and science explained the connection between bipolar disorder and other disorders. Today I want to look at the personal side of the issue and discuss how people living with multiple disorders are coping with them.

As I said, I subscribe to a few blogs written by people who have the courage to share their personal lives with others. A couple of them are people dealing with more than one mental health issue, and they are doing a great service by sharing their experiences with others.

I'd like you to take a look at this blog written by a talented young man who is a published author, as well as a very courageous person. He is dealing with some very hard issues in life, including the combination of bipolar disorder and epilepsy. The amazing thing is that he is willing to share his experiences and personal feelings with us, so that anyone dealing with these issues can see that they are not alone, and anyone who is not dealing with exactly the same thing can gain a better understanding. He discusses how mental health medicines are affecting how he deals with bipolar disorder and epilepsy, as well as a very personal and experienced look at how the two disorders may be linked.

I'd also like you to take a look at this blog, written by a gentleman who describes himself as "a former mental health counselor who now lives on the other side of the wall with four concurrent disorders." He has taken up the cause of fighting against the stigma that surrounds mental health disorders by offering an open and honest opinion that doesn't pull any punches. I am thoroughly impressed that he has not only done great things in his life as a counselor, but also continued to help people by sharing his experiences.

The reason I want you to look at these blogs is that we often forget the very personal side of mental health issues. People coping with mental health issues often fall into societies stigmas and are labeled as "That bipolar guy" or "The epileptic one". We often read of the research and scientific side of these issues, but doctors and medical journals rarely write about the patient experience. It takes understanding and community awareness to help fight the stigmas that follow mental health issues, and it's up to each of us to do our part to help.

Click on the picture above to take a look at rethink.org, a great site with information on living with mental health, as well as ways that we all can get involved!