Friday, February 5, 2010

Rachel's Story - Matt Good

I don’t know if you are familiar with Matthew Good but he is one of the several famous people who openly suffers from bipolar disorder. In 2007, he released a very candid album, 'Hospital Music', after a long stay in a psychiatric ward, a diagnosis with bipolar 2 disorder and a struggle with an addiction to anxiety medication.

I was only recently introduced to this album and though it’s not for you if you’re looking for something uplifting, it’s something I feel I can relate to from the perspective of someone who’s been on a similar journey.

Also, Matt Good has written a blog about depression and bipolar disorder and in 2008, received an award for raising awareness about mental illness.

http://www.matthewgood.org/tag/bipolar-disorder/

In addition, there is some interesting info about the album in the context of his illness here:

http://www.dose.ca/music/story.html?id=ea2f231d-829e-4b20-acd4-84849808031e&k=96302

http://new-wave-music.suite101.com/article.cfm/matthew_good_reborn

http://www.straight.com/article-110502/dark-times-inspired-matthew-goods-hospital-music

6 comments:

melba11 said...

Hi Rachel

How have you been?

melba

rachel said...

hi Melba,

i feel lucky to be doing relatively well right now, thanks. And I don't know exactly what to attribute it to. My anxiety group at the Royal finished up about a month ago and produced positive results - I'm having far less anxiety attacks. Also, I finally seem to be on the right combination of meds! (for now, at least). I'm trying to exercise and eat regularly and I'm back at work full time and am loving it. Maybe it's just that Spring is in the air!!! (Spring is my favourite season!) How about you? Where are you at?

as you may know from being on the site, i was the recipient of a 2010 Inspiration Award this past weekend. I am humbled to be in the company of others who are helping in the fight against stigma and in making the subject of mental illness more openly talked about. I hope that speaking out helps to make the struggles that you and I and others face everyday easier.

rachel

melba11 said...

Hi Rachel

Congrats on the award. I did see you on the news. You are doing a great job.

I was in hospital for 2.5 weeks, am now seeing a new pdoc and going to be attending a day treatment program for the next 12 weeks.

The hospital experience was somewhat of an eye opener for me and I am glad that I went although it was not pleasant.

I have come out of this with hope that I will survive and thrive in future endeavours.

I still off work and waiting on LTD application to be processed.

Just taking of myself. I am glad that you are doing well.

melba

rachel said...

Hi Melba,

I am glad that you felt you could take advantage of the hospital setting. Not fun but necessary, sometimes. And an experience that adds to the rich tapestry that is life!

i hope the new pdoc and day treatment program are helpful. i have found that day treatment programs can be quite helpful. is it a CBT group?

i'm glad to hear you have HOPE. that alone can take you far!

rachel

Anonymous said...

great thanks for sharing

Anonymous said...

Hi Rachel,
I was just flipping channels and I fell upon the very end of the 2010 Inspiration Awards on Rogers. I knew I recognized you but I had missed when you had been introduced. So I looked up the awards and realized who you were. We went to high school together briefly. We weren't really friends or anything, but I always saw you as such a beautiful and smart girl.
I just watched your videos on Youtube and read a bit of your blog. I just wanted to tell you that you really are inspirational. I am so happy that you are doing better now, and that you are reaching out to others suffering from bipolar disease.
Wishing you well on your journey...
Julie