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Recovery Takes Time: Aznet’s Story
Medication, therapy, rehabilitation – Aznet writes about her experience with Bipolar Disorder and how recovery is arduous but rewarding.
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Taxi Conversations: Aznet’s Story
By Aznet T. // When you’re in a taxi, do you make conversation? Lately I’ve been steering topics toward mental health. I might talk about how a mental health social agency trained and matched me to a job: “They helped me for free! I hadn’t worked for five years. They taught me and gave me…
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Growing Up With Mental Illnesses: Khai’s Story
“When I was just 10 years old, my mum was diagnosed with bipolar and it was tough growing up when roles are reversed, with you having to take care of your mum instead.”
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5 Things I’ve Learnt About Relapse: Sharol’s Story
by Sharol S. // Relapse remains dreaded. Putting that aside, I’ve come to learn from every experience how to better manage my condition. My psychiatrists and counsellors have shared many helpful tips that worked well when I was in need, which I found doable over time. I have learnt to be more sensitive to my…
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“Get Over It! What Is This ‘Depression’ Thing Anyway?”: Kevin’s Story
By Kevin W. // Depression is pain—a devastating, yet invisible pain. And so, unless it’s experienced firsthand, it’s hard to comprehend. Consider this analogy: Your brain is to you what a processor is to a computer—both carry out commands to enable healthy functioning. Depression is a virus—a vicious, nasty virus. As with how a virus corrupts…
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Chasing Joy: Judith’s Story
By Judith // It all started when I was 13 years old. The taunts, unkind words, and mean laughter sought to strip me of the little joy that I was holding on to. Every day, I had no one to spend my recess time with, which all started with a girl in my class rallying…
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A Theory of Moods: Vikay’s Story
By Vikay // The issue I struggle with is in having too much mental energy and excitement followed by periods of deep silence. Medically this is diagnosed as Bipolar Disorder. In my childhood I was considered moody. But as I aged and started interacting socially, the peaks of excitement were combined with anger resulting in…
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Baking your way to wellness
Can baking relieve mental anguish? It certainly did for social entrepreneur, Pei Rong. We had the honour of participating in Bakery Wellness‘ first ever baking workshop. It was an eye-opening (and delicious!) experience. But what touched us most was
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My Bipolar Experience: Dora’s Story
Editor’s Note: A very brave piece by Dora who shares candidly about her journey with bipolar disorder and its challenging symptoms such as delusions, panic attacks and suicidal ideation.
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Please stop asking if I’ve taken my medicine: Raphael’s Story
Editor’s Note: Often times we don’t realise that our words can mar our best intentions. Perhaps we ought to pay more attention to our tone and timing when it comes to expressing care towards those around us. Here’s a raw account by Raphael on the topic of medication. Thanks for the candid sharing Raphael!
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Highs + Lows: John’s Story
Editor’s Note: This story has a slightly different format from the usual. It is a two-part story reflects both sides of bipolar disorder, with its extreme highs and crashing lows. Step into John’s shoes for a while and understand what it was like for him back then. We are very encouraged to know he is in a better state today,…
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Book Review: Five Little White Pills
Five Little White Pills by Choo Kah Ying Five Little White Pills is a beautifully written book by Choo Kai Ying. In it, she describes in detail her struggles with bipolar disorder, which she refers to as manic depression (MD). The first half of the book begins with her university life as an undergraduate in…
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Beauty in the Broken: S. Lim’s Story
Editor’s Note: When I read this story, I was very moved by its simplicity and honesty. Our contributor eloquently describes her lifelong struggle with persistent sadness, and the factors (nature + nurture) that contributed to seasons of ‘heaviness’. It is my honour to share this beautiful story by S. Lim. Indeed, there is beauty in our…
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Parable Of A Pearl: Celab’s Story
Editor’s Note: A story of hope, resilience and self-reflection, contributed by one of our Tapestry readers, Celab, who is recovering from bipolar disorder. The pearl is such an apt metaphor for the recovering mental health sufferer. Indeed, we are all works in progress. And like a precious pearl, we are of intrinsic value and worth. Here…
