bipolar disorder | Patient Commando

Health Through Movement: How Nia Changed My Life

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Jennifer Hicks

By Jennifer Hicks

After 34 years living in my body, I became an expert. That is, an expert in myself. And I discovered, after all that time, that I am not ordinary.

I have Bipolar Disorder. But that’s not what makes me different. I am unique because of how I have learned to manage my Bipolar Disorder. Yes, I need medication and psychotherapy, but there’s more to my wellness plan. I use Nia – a fitness practice which not only offers me physical fitness, but also a lifestyle, and now a profession.

Looking at me, you’d never know I have a mental health issue. Spend a little bit of time with me and you still likely wouldn’t guess. Ask my family or friends about its impact on my life, and they probably wouldn’t be able to pinpoint anything “abnormal”. In fact, people would actually describe me as engaged, ambitious and driven. Looking at me from the outside, this mental illness thing appears to be rather invisible in my life.

Still, appearances, as they say, are deceiving. I do swing between abnormally elevated and depressed moods.

It’s difficult for folks to appreciate the considerable amount of energy I use every single day to level out my moods. [...] continue the story

Tagged Under: bipolar disorder, dance, featured writer, fitness, jenn hicks, mental illness, movement, music, nia, patient story, psychotherapy

My Flesh and Blood 01/06

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Jennifer Chaiken

My Flesh and Blood is a 2003 documentary film by Jonathan Karsh chronicling a year in the life of the Tom family. The Tom family is notable as the mother, Susan, adopted eleven children, most of whom had serious disabilities or diseases. The film itself is notable for handling the sensitive subject matter in an unsentimental way that is more uplifting than one might expect. It was nominated for and won several awards, including the Audience Award and the Director’s Award at the Sundance Film Festival.

Tagged Under: addict, bipolar disorder, chemical, Children, collagen, crib, cystic fibrosis, disorder, drug, EB, epidermolysis bullosa, epilepsy, family, fire, gene, genetic, mother, painful, patient, patient story, psychology, skin, Susan Tom, victim, Xenia

My Flesh and Blood 02/06

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Jennifer Chaiken

My Flesh and Blood is a 2003 documentary film by Jonathan Karsh chronicling a year in the life of the Tom family. The Tom family is notable as the mother, Susan, adopted eleven children, most of whom had serious disabilities or diseases. The film itself is notable for handling the sensitive subject matter in an unsentimental way that is more uplifting than one might expect. It was nominated for and won several awards, including the Audience Award and the Director’s Award at the Sundance Film Festival.

Tagged Under: addict, bipolar disorder, chemical, Children, collagen, crib, cystic fibrosis, disorder, drug, EB, epidermolysis bullosa, epilepsy, family, fire, gene, genetic, mother, painful, patient, patient story, psychology, skin, Susan Tom, victim, Xenia

My Flesh and Blood 03/06

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Jennifer Chaiken

My Flesh and Blood is a 2003 documentary film by Jonathan Karsh chronicling a year in the life of the Tom family. The Tom family is notable as the mother, Susan, adopted eleven children, most of whom had serious disabilities or diseases. The film itself is notable for handling the sensitive subject matter in an unsentimental way that is more uplifting than one might expect. It was nominated for and won several awards, including the Audience Award and the Director’s Award at the Sundance Film Festival.

Tagged Under: addict, bipolar disorder, chemical, Children, collagen, crib, cystic fibrosis, disorder, drug, EB, epidermolysis bullosa, epilepsy, family, fire, gene, genetic, mother, painful, patient, patient story, psychology, skin, Susan Tom, victim, Xenia

My Flesh and Blood 04/06

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Jennifer Chaiken

My Flesh and Blood is a 2003 documentary film by Jonathan Karsh chronicling a year in the life of the Tom family. The Tom family is notable as the mother, Susan, adopted eleven children, most of whom had serious disabilities or diseases. The film itself is notable for handling the sensitive subject matter in an unsentimental way that is more uplifting than one might expect. It was nominated for and won several awards, including the Audience Award and the Director’s Award at the Sundance Film Festival.

Tagged Under: addict, bipolar disorder, chemical, Children, collagen, crib, cystic fibrosis, disorder, drug, EB, epidermolysis bullosa, epilepsy, family, fire, gene, genetic, mother, painful, patient, patient story, psychology, skin, Susan Tom, victim, Xenia