I recently found this article that I wrote in 2017 when I was hospitalized during a manic episode (my 1st). The irony is that I hadn’t been sleeping for more than a few hours each night, for weeks. I remember writing this in ~10 minutes and it has never been edited. What do you thinkContinue reading “Manic sleep tips”
Author Archives: Charise Jewell
Meet the people
Regrets Ever After is the story of three young adults who feel trapped. Learn more about them below. Naomi is trying to decide what to study at university. She’s also working hard to pay for it, with her father’s help. Her mother, Ana, died by suicide when Naomi was 12, and even though time has passed,Continue reading “Meet the people”
Breathing Techniques
Do you know how to Box Breathe? This is when you inhale, hold, exhale, and hold, doing each step for 4 seconds. This is my LEAST favourite way to breathe – it makes me feel lightheaded and like I’m about to hyperventilate. So, I don’t do it. If I have a few minutes to reallyContinue reading “Breathing Techniques”
Cakes!
When my kids were little, I wrote a parenting blog. And we used to bake. Right now it’s hypo/mania season in our house, which coincides with birthday season. While I don’t bake as much these days, I like to celebrate my not-so-little ones on their special days, with a special cake. I thought I’d shareContinue reading “Cakes!”
Braid Waves
This excerpt was cut from Crazy, my memoir about being diagnosed with bipolar 1 during an extreme manic episode, the psych ward and healthcare system, and my recovery. As per Virginia Woolf, “In expressing it I explained it and then laid it to rest.” To learn more about my memoir, visit charisejewell.com/crazy. ∞∞∞ Slender fingers slideContinue reading “Braid Waves”
Bipolar Warning Signs
I’m often asked if there were any warning signs of my mental illness before my bipolar 1 diagnosis at age 40, when I experienced my first manic episode and hospitalization. Prior to mania, I had a history of seasonal depression and occasional depressive episodes, which were always related to something upsetting in my life atContinue reading “Bipolar Warning Signs”
Mania info and support
The first step to support someone with bipolar disorder is to learn as much as you can. I hope this collection of my mania articles and posts helps. Viewed best in a web browser. Social media posts: March 20, 2023: Spring Mania We made it through winter! Next challenge: don’t go manic 😂 This isContinue reading “Mania info and support”
Hypo/Mania Prep
Every year around this time I come out of my hibernation cocoon. I clean the house, photograph the tulips, and feel better than I’ve felt for months. For six months, since the bitter winter and shorter days began. I work to prevent depression through winter, so the joyful spring vibe is a welcome relief. UntilContinue reading “Hypo/Mania Prep”
On Writing
November is my cruellest month, but I distract myself with NaNoWriMo aka National Novel Writing Month. It inspires me to write, and also to share what I’ve learned after decades of honing this craft. I hope you find the following useful. My Approach • Set a daily goal, using words or time. Mine is 1Continue reading “On Writing”
Protected: Bins
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
