Two Sides of a Coin How do you describe what it’s like when a loved one asks you about your bi-polar tendencies? You don’t want to scare them or stress them out. But telling them that you’re as unpredictable as a coin toss is not what they want to hear. Is knowledge power? Will it [...]
I was diagnosed Manic Depressive in 1987 long before it became politically correct to be called Bipolar. I spent years hiding my illness, refusing treatment and medication and my life went spiraling out of control. My rock bottom was a 4 year stay in federal prison for securities fraud, or more commonly known as stock [...]
Freed Control is my Insanity My name is Jay Insalaco. I am a husband, father of two beautiful children, and a public worker. Life wasn't always like this, here’s my story. In 1995 when I was 19, I started going to a rave club in New York City called "the tunnel". At this club I [...]
I bet you are thinking how can a man possibly have postnatal depression, well it happened to me and it was the reason why I set up Fathers Reaching Out. People say Mental health has a stigma attached, but a man with postnatal depression - trust me that's hard. Postnatal depression can occur in men. [...]
What is anxiety? It seems like I've been asked this question a million times in my life. How do you explain something to someone that you don't fully understand yourself? I envy you people who ask me this question. I think you people are so lucky to not understand. I sincerely hope you never get [...]
Social Media Hell At the time of writing this I have just come out to my friends and family on Facebook that I have been struggling with social anxiety and depression. I hate Facebook, it fills me full of anxiety and pressure knowing that everyone I know is looking at what I say and judging [...]
I'm 41 years old and grew up as an only child in a family where violence, neglect, drugs and verbal abuse had a big impact on our lives. My father was addicted to alcohol and prescription drugs and was violent and abusive. He was also loving, creative, passionate, a wonderful musician and always wanted to [...]
Have you ever had a nagging feeling at the back of your mind .. you know, the one that says oh so quietly "I need more"? Not the voice that says "buy the shoes!" or "I need a holiday". The voice that gnaws at you, bit by bit.. "I need more... life, more purpose." "Ssssh" [...]
Never Judge Someone Until You've Walked A Mile in Their Shoes I flip through my memories like stacks of paper left unorganized for years. I fade away into these memories while I try to sleep, as I drive or even standing in line at the grocery store. No matter how many times I sift through [...]
In April 2015, I went to a health and wellness retreat sponsored by my college. I had signed up to attend several months prior because I knew I needed to start focusing on my own health and wellness, especially my mental health. I felt like I really needed some alone time away. It had been [...]
