In a James Frey, some of these things happened but then my brain embellished them into these other directions sort of way? Also, if this is so fricking important, shouldn't publishers be villified for allowing such writerly chicanery? And y'know, if you ask the people who read it, would they have enjoyed it any less…

I'm wholly ignorant of Three Cups of Tea, so I should probably just back out of this argument. But the older I get as a writer, the more I doubt the whole concept that we can "know" anything to be true or not. Isn't every fact either something told to us by people (who can lie or be fuzzy) or by documents (which can…

I tape quotes all over my walls to help me. One says "Leap and the net will appear." Just not off a bridge ;) Another one I like is "You alone are enough to meet the sunrise." And I'm going to let you talk without constantly chiming in anymore, because I want you to have the last word and I think you are doing the…

Cool! I rejected my diagnosis and refused to learn about it. Now that I've accepted it the insights I gain are invaluable. Thanks for your help.

Thanks! Now that you mention it, I AM on Lamotrigine. Lamictal was what my first shrink prescribed years ago when I had a job and great insurance in what I like to call The Time Before (The Great Recession). I'm also on Clonazepam, not Klonopin. I don't know why I use the brand names. Maybe they're more recognizable?…

I wish I could say something better than "I completely feel you." I also had the IRS knocking down my door for nonpayment of taxes one year, because hell, when you can't get out of bed, you also aren't tending to things like your taxes. My ex actually saved my ass by hiring an accountant who got me out of it. I should…

Have you tried DBT? I went through three months at a university psychiatric department with grad students and wished I could have done more. It's technically for Borderline Personality Disorder, but I personally think everyone should learn it. Just wish I could bring it to bear when I'm in crisis, because I admit I…

Yes. I'm on 200 mg Lamictal (mood stabilizer) which has been upped 3 times and she might up it some more. Two Klonopins a day as needed (and boy are they ever). An Ambien to sleep. And brand-name Synthroid (not the generic) which is not technically a psych drug but boy does a drop in metabolism affect my mental state.

Got any other conditions besides bipolar? Co-conditions help. Also, give it a try anyway. All you need is a good APPROVED stamp by some bureaucrat somewhere. Why not, y'know? Also, re the seeking help from friends thing. You yourself know you're not in the best place, cognitive-wise, and if you're like me you hate to…

Can you get to the Social Security office and apply for disability? (It's so much easier than trying to do it online, which just made me muddle and give up.) It won't be an insta-cure but if you can get approved you then get some moolah (plus if they back-date it to when your illness is determined as having begun, you…

Not to go all Taylor Swift, but OMG that was the best thing I ever read on the subject! Seriously! I totally get it like never before. I've always taken my daughter's refusals to speak on the phone as a personal affront, and also an indication that she doesn't need me anymore. This article truly enlightened me. Thank…

I'm Bipolar I (I think, I get the two confused) plus throw in some Borderline Personality Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Substance Abuse (read self-medicating) so I get that part. The lack of basic help in your community because of budget cuts, which I don't doubt for a sec, just. sucks. Goddammit, that…

Maybe when you're young and your mind is a steel trap. But as a person in my 50s writing my memoir as we speak, I realize how much is now hazy. I have forgotten names, dates, places and other salient details which are now impossible to verify. Also, I'm wise enough nowadays to realize my recollection of events is…

Yeah, Legos! You can get big or small ones, depending on age. And be sure to get her the primary colors ones, and not the pastel ones.

When I was raising my three daughters, I had a friend with three sons. One of her sons loved to play dress-up, in girls' dresses, which made his father apoplectic. He shamed him into not doing it at their house, but when Kevin came to our house I let him have at it with the tutus and tiaras and anything else with…

I think texting is useful, especially for when I don't want to talk to someone but have to relay information. However, it DRIVES ME BATTY that my children prefer to have text convos with me rather than face to face or, God forbid, that old relic the spoken word telephonic communication. My daughter who went to college…

LOL. I know, I hate it when some a-hole on here makes me parse. And now I'm that a-hole. Your original was funnier and I defer to it. Carry on!

Fistful of bumps. Also, for anyone in the U.S., calling 2-1-1 provides free and confidential information and referral for food, housing, employment, health care, counseling and more.