Koopman Kraziness

I don't think I'll ever understand the stigma that still surrounds mental illness. I am an insulin dependent diabetic.  If someone finds out my blood sugar is too high or that I left my insulin at home, they are immediately panicked and I am flooded with questions about what we need to do or how they can help.  Same is true of anyone who receives a cancer diagnosis, a blood pressure or heart related diagnosis or any other number of things that could be mentioned here. Why is mental illness so vastly different?  Why is someone labeled as "crazy" or "disturbed" because of an imbalance of chemicals in their brain?  Why is having depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, coping with self harm or suicidal thoughts so taboo?  Because people think that only "certain types" of people deal with those type of disorders?  Maybe putting it in a little perspective would help. When I went into first grade, I started having panic and anxiety att...

As you begin 2018,  I want you to remember a few things.  Everything is doable, but there are times it will require great creativity.  As long as there are new ideas and approaches, there is a way to overcome any obstacle.  The power of your own thoughts is immense and as soon as you learn to harness your thoughts, you will find peace and see great things in your life.   You are loved.  The idea that you are not is a lie and you need to remember that, especially in the dark times.   You have been diagnosed with multiple mental conditions.  There is no shame in this.  It’s no different than taking medication to control your diabetes.  It doesn’t mean you are weak, only that you have been strong for too long.   You have talents locked inside of you that you haven’t utilized in years.  It’s time to start using them again.  You owe it to yourself to be happy and healthy both physically ...