Beth Brownsberger Mader

I don’t have the same “it ain’t nothin’ but a thang” attitude when I think about some of the life-saving strategies I’ve learned over the years. Like being able to walk away from parking-space thieves or post office bureaucracy—because I know that avoiding rage triggers is going to keep me calmer, safer, healthier, stronger. Now that is a real achievement. As is getting my butt out of bed and showering when I am absolutely, positively, 100 percent sure that life has no meaning and everything I have ever done has been in vain—but feeding and walking the dogs will show me different. A triumph, but really hard.

Earlier this year, I found myself in a state of extended hypomania. With my hard-won experience and knowledge gained through years of determined study and practice, I was able to recognize what was happening and grab enough coping skills to manage my symptoms—like sticking to routine, exercising, making sure I slept and ate well, meditating, consciously trying not to overpower others, and thinking before I acted. And you know what? It worked. Another hard fought victory.

-Beth Brownsberger Mader (Article)