Blog for Change

Blogging can affect both personal and social change. I started blogging because the thoughts and words in my mind simply had to get out. I hope this blog offers support, educates, and fights stigma.

Though I am a minivan-driving wife and mother, unlike most of my suburban neighbors, I live with bipolar disorder. My Story, My Path to Age Thirty, Psychotic Break at Thirty, Thirty to Motherhood, Mystic or Mentally Ill?, and Mystic Psychosis recount my struggle with mental illness, the two decades it took to get a proper diagnosis, and how my journey has ultimately given me a sense of purpose – and at times, a sense of religious calling.
As a perpetual and proud geek, I always liked going to school. My brown-nosing and hard work got me a BA in Legal Studies from UC Berkeley, an MA in Psychology from New College of California (never heard of New College? well, it no longer exists and was never as prestigious as Berkeley), and twice I’ve attended Fuller Theological Seminary and twice I quit.
Though I’m a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I haven’t practiced in over 20 years. My varied career path has included working as a legal assistant, psychotherapist, and commercial real estate professional. Obviously, I haven’t stuck to one thing for very long. In fact, if you take a look at my LinkedIn profile, you’ll see that I was a job-hopper, shooting high, rapidly rising, then crashing and burning, over and over – fairly typical of someone with bipolar disorder type II.

My Battle with Mental Illness:

I’m All Over Social Media:

TwitterFacebookGoogle+LinkedInPinterestTumblrInstagramflickrYouTube

If you take a look at my social media presences, you might think that either I’m really committed to making a brand out of my name, or I am a narcissist. Probably both.

Here’s My Contact Form:


Comments

40 responses to “About Me and This Blog”

  1. […] On a more positive note, in January and February and again next week, I’ve been a NAMI Provider Educator for the staff at the hospital where I received both inpatient and partial day treatment twelve years ago. I enjoy educating their staff on what it is like to live with mental illness and to be in mental health recovery. Wish me well next week. We’re increasing the time that we devote to our personal trauma stories, so I must rewrite mine. I may edit my In Our Own Voice presentation for content, or I could take a look at what I have shared here. […]

  2. […] I’ve been blogging about caregiving and about exhaustion more than about living with bipolar disorder. That said, obviously coping with major life events, such as taking on the role of caregiver of two […]

  3. A hot mess, isn’t it? But it’s an assorted medley of factors from whether our feet get hot or our arms, what shoes we can find easily that don’t look utterly ridiculous, what’s clean and matches and suits the occasion, etc.

  4. Love the image of turtlenecks and flip flops.

  5. Oh, I am seeing them, they are gorgeous! They help transform all this dreary mud into gorgeous scenery! The weather is so up and down my little ones and I are wearing turtlenecks and thong sandals, lol

  6. Love crocuses, too. They do not grow here, though. I live in a warm climate. They like cold winters.

  7. I’ve never seen one, but I’m quite the Google nerd (just can’t focus, with so many interesting and informative subjects to catch my-Goodness, have you ever seen a crocus?) lol Sorry if it wasn’t funny, the short attention span joke

  8. Love the beautiful flowering bulbs that Narcissus became.

  9. Exactly! In Greek mythology Narcissus saw his reflection in a pool of water and feel in love with it, starved to death because he wouldn’t leave to eat, and refused advances and people to admire himself. Finally he was turned into a flower. You are reaching out for help when you need it and sharing with others your experience. Kudos!

  10. I use my social presences for mental health advocacy.

  11. You aren’t narcissistic or trying to sell yourself-you just need to reach out in as many directions as possible for hands to touch, hmm? It can not be easy to be a brain dealing with an illness running around in it. I am glad you have a nice thick list of support, no shouldn’t be a limit if you reeeaaallly need it!

  12. Love you! Thank you so much. God bless.

  13. Thought of you day when I hit publish. I don’t think you know my much life you’ve breathed into authenticitee with your support. I value you.
    e

  14. Thank you, Dy. I’m kind of getting to exercise some of my expertise, which is nice.

  15. I’m so glad you have your former boss’ expertise. I have enormous respect for CPA’s. My first long-term boyfriend (a UCLA student who passed his CPA exam in his early 20’s!) learned how to be a CPA from his father. Glad you’re getting this guidance. I continue to be amazed at your juggling of such incredibly stressful situations with your parents. You’re in my thoughts daily.

  16. Thanks! My former boss when I worked in commercial real estate is a local CPA. He strongly recommends renting out my parents’ house until their deaths to avoid paying substantial capital gains tax. So, looking into that, too.

  17. Wow – not fun! I hope the meetings went as well as possible, sweet one. Please know you’re often in my thoughts and I’m sending you my love! I know it’s an incredibly hard time…. XOXOXOX

  18. Thanks! Spent yesterday, last night, and this morning meeting with realtors.

  19. Okay, so this comment is late, which is rare!
    You know I love you and I love your blog too!
    Always, in all ways!
    You are a true inspiration.
    XoXoXoXo

  20. It happens. What can I say? We try our best.

  21. Thank you. I’m so stressed out I blew up at my husband and criticized my son.

  22. I knew it was a summary page but it was good. Recycle away. I know how hard caretaking is. My husband has done it twice. Me, once and helped my husband with his great aunt. Be good to yourself while doing it. Treat yourself well. We both lost like 30 pounds taking care of my mother.

  23. Thank you, Ellen. I actually posted my About Page as a blog post. May recycle some more content, as I’m pretty overwhelmed with caretaking responsibilities now.

  24. Love your post and love you! Blogging does make a difference!

  25. thanks Kitt! You are a great blessing to me! 😀

  26. Thanks! Geeks rock! My husband, son & I all are proud geeks.

  27. Thanks, Leslie. I appreciate it. Learning rocks.

  28. Look forward to reading your writing once you get back to it. Thank you for your comments and support. You are a wonderful loving member of the WordPress mental health community. I’m blessed to have you as a reader and commenter.

  29. You’re an amazing and selfless person Kitt. I’ll always be here to read and follow. Geeks unite!

  30. This just confirms to me Kitt that you are a hell of a person and totally awesome!!

  31. Ahoyoyoyoyyy…. It’s always good to read you.

  32. I love reading your blog Kitt. I don’t always comment, but I always read.
    (I love school too)

  33. Thanks Kitt, I really liked this. I was not aware (yet) of all the various things about your blog. I seem to be stuck and not writing in mine for a while. I will get back to it!

  34. So very sorry you have been dealt such a difficult hand. So proud of you for this post and others. You are helping people, and in final analysis, what is more important?

  35. Thank you, John! Fine Irish name you have.

  36. Thank You, Kitt
    for this fine sharing
    Big hugs
    john

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