Music plays a big part in my life. Sunday mornings you’ll find Gord, my husband, and I listening to Ramsey Lewis Trio, maybe Amee Mann or better yet, the sound track to Garden State. We’ll eat our French toast with (real!) maple syrup and I’ll be tapping my toes, savouring both the music and the […]
http://victoriamaxwell.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Victoria-Maxwell-record-w-hand-e1562621502610.jpg800800adminhttp://victoriamaxwell.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/temp_logo.pngadmin2019-07-16 20:13:482019-07-08 14:32:57Do You Hear What I Hear? How Music Creates Well-Being for Me
Diagnosis doesn’t equate acceptance (as many of you well know). I certainly took my sweet time in accepting my conditions. Mental illness, particularly psychosis, wasn’t something I had been striving for in my 5-year life plan. Below are questions and approaches my family, psychiatrist, other health professionals and my friends could have used to […]
http://victoriamaxwell.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/nik-shuliahin-251237-unsplash-e1560217930588.jpg800800adminhttp://victoriamaxwell.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/temp_logo.pngadmin2019-07-02 20:45:572019-07-03 05:42:0910 Things I Wish my Health Professionals & Loved Ones Had Done to Help Me Accept My Illness Sooner
Anxiety has been giving me a run for my money. Diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, I’m used to dealing with my uber easily triggered flight and freeze response. But in the last year anxiety has been screaming at a high pitch for long periods of time in my body and my mind. It is UNCOMFORTABLE. […]
http://victoriamaxwell.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/adult-daylight-dried-leaves-156120-e1560201148201.jpg866866adminhttp://victoriamaxwell.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/temp_logo.pngadmin2019-06-18 20:13:432019-06-21 13:12:512 Quick Tools for Yourself or Clients to Use When Anxiety & Depression Run Rampant
Supporting a loved one with mental illness can be trying. I’ve witnessed the toll it takes on my husband. I’ve experienced it as a daughter of a mother and father who both had psychiatric conditions. A chronic mental health condition is like addiction. Even when well managed, its presence is still felt in the relationship. […]
http://victoriamaxwell.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/adult-care-close-up-1251177-e1557272607549.jpg801801adminhttp://victoriamaxwell.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/temp_logo.pngadmin2019-06-04 20:14:302019-05-07 16:44:1512 Things My Husband Does that Help When I’m Struggling with Mental Illness
Mother’s Day 2019 just happened. Mom, I’d like to say ‘thank-you’ to you publicly. To say how much I love you, Mrs. Velma Maxwell. How the person you are, at 88, makes me smile, feel good, and warm. How I still feel like a cared for daughter even though I’m frequently more the mom taking […]
http://victoriamaxwell.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/calligraphy-2658504_1280-e1557241419113.jpg800800adminhttp://victoriamaxwell.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/temp_logo.pngadmin2019-05-21 19:54:452019-05-08 07:48:17Homage to My Mom and Our Mental Illnesses
This week is the 68th Mental Health Week founded by the Canadian Mental Health Association! That’s a whole heck lot of talkin’, learnin’ and awareness buildin’ about mental health! My contribution this year is shedding some light on psychosis in the hopes it will increase compassion. I wrote this for my Psychology Today blog a […]
http://victoriamaxwell.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/mailbox-595854_1280-e1557239117181.jpg800800adminhttp://victoriamaxwell.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/temp_logo.pngadmin2019-05-07 19:37:182019-05-07 07:50:45An Open Letter to All Hospital Emergency Ward Staff: I may be crazy but I can still hear
There are many reasons why people don’t accept a diagnosis of mental illness. I received an email the other month from someone whose spouse had psychotic experiences and was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder. However, the spouse believes they had a powerful spiritual experience. The spouse has agreed to see a psychiatrist, and continues to […]
http://victoriamaxwell.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/naassom-azevedo-390837-unsplash-e1553898672864.jpg801801adminhttp://victoriamaxwell.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/temp_logo.pngadmin2019-04-23 20:00:512019-03-29 15:34:17Do you have to choose? Reconciling Spiritual Experiences with Mental Illness Diagnosis and Psychosis
I do it. You do it. Even birds do it. No, not that. I’m talking about sleep. Anyone with depression or bipolar disorder, including loved ones of those with the conditions, knows how important consistent good night sleeps are to staying well1. They cultivate equilibrium in mood, mind and heart. Sleep is important for everybody. But, […]
http://victoriamaxwell.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/victoria-sleep-blog-photo-e1553887637529.jpg801801adminhttp://victoriamaxwell.com/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/temp_logo.pngadmin2019-04-09 20:00:302019-03-29 12:33:248 Tips to Help You Get the Sleep You Need and Want
Do You Hear What I Hear? How Music Creates Well-Being for Me
Anxiety, bipolar, creativity, depression, mental health, Mental Illness, Practical Tools, resources, self help tips, self-careMusic plays a big part in my life. Sunday mornings you’ll find Gord, my husband, and I listening to Ramsey Lewis Trio, maybe Amee Mann or better yet, the sound track to Garden State. We’ll eat our French toast with (real!) maple syrup and I’ll be tapping my toes, savouring both the music and the […]
10 Things I Wish my Health Professionals & Loved Ones Had Done to Help Me Accept My Illness Sooner
adult children, Anxiety, bipolar, getting help for others, help for family, mental health, Mental Illness, resources, social supportDiagnosis doesn’t equate acceptance (as many of you well know). I certainly took my sweet time in accepting my conditions. Mental illness, particularly psychosis, wasn’t something I had been striving for in my 5-year life plan. Below are questions and approaches my family, psychiatrist, other health professionals and my friends could have used to […]
2 Quick Tools for Yourself or Clients to Use When Anxiety & Depression Run Rampant
Anxiety, Breathing Techniques, depression, getting help for others, mental health, Mental Illness, Practical Tools, resources, self help tips, self-careAnxiety has been giving me a run for my money. Diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, I’m used to dealing with my uber easily triggered flight and freeze response. But in the last year anxiety has been screaming at a high pitch for long periods of time in my body and my mind. It is UNCOMFORTABLE. […]
12 Things My Husband Does that Help When I’m Struggling with Mental Illness
Anxiety, bipolar, depression, getting help for others, gratitude, mental health, Mental Illness, Practical Tools, resources, self help tips, self-careSupporting a loved one with mental illness can be trying. I’ve witnessed the toll it takes on my husband. I’ve experienced it as a daughter of a mother and father who both had psychiatric conditions. A chronic mental health condition is like addiction. Even when well managed, its presence is still felt in the relationship. […]
Homage to My Mom and Our Mental Illnesses
adult children, Anxiety, bipolar, depression, gratitude, mental health, Mental IllnessMother’s Day 2019 just happened. Mom, I’d like to say ‘thank-you’ to you publicly. To say how much I love you, Mrs. Velma Maxwell. How the person you are, at 88, makes me smile, feel good, and warm. How I still feel like a cared for daughter even though I’m frequently more the mom taking […]
An Open Letter to All Hospital Emergency Ward Staff: I may be crazy but I can still hear
adult children, Anxiety, bipolar, mental health, Mental Illness, social support, Tools for Health ProfessionalsThis week is the 68th Mental Health Week founded by the Canadian Mental Health Association! That’s a whole heck lot of talkin’, learnin’ and awareness buildin’ about mental health! My contribution this year is shedding some light on psychosis in the hopes it will increase compassion. I wrote this for my Psychology Today blog a […]
Do you have to choose? Reconciling Spiritual Experiences with Mental Illness Diagnosis and Psychosis
Anxiety, bipolar, depression, getting help for others, help for family, mental health, Mental Illness, Practical Tools, resources, self help tips, self-care, spiritualityThere are many reasons why people don’t accept a diagnosis of mental illness. I received an email the other month from someone whose spouse had psychotic experiences and was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder. However, the spouse believes they had a powerful spiritual experience. The spouse has agreed to see a psychiatrist, and continues to […]
8 Tips to Help You Get the Sleep You Need and Want
Anxiety, bipolar, depression, help for family, mental health, Practical Tools, resources, self help tips, self-careI do it. You do it. Even birds do it. No, not that. I’m talking about sleep. Anyone with depression or bipolar disorder, including loved ones of those with the conditions, knows how important consistent good night sleeps are to staying well1. They cultivate equilibrium in mood, mind and heart. Sleep is important for everybody. But, […]