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Finding Solace: Amanda McNamara's Journey with Bipolar Disorder and Monarch Mental Health

Amanda has become a dear friend of mine after shipping me a beautiful care package, which included her journal that helped me A LOT.\n\nAmanda McNamara, founder of Monarch Mental Health, joins Paris to discuss her personal journey with bipolar 1 disorder, diagnosed in 2010. Amanda shares how her journey began with journaling, initially a lifeline for communicating her suicidal thoughts when young, leading to her development of a color-coded brain log to track her symptoms.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including a lengthy depressive episode and a stay in a mental hospital, Amanda's resilience led her to establish Monarch Mental Health. Her advocacy work aims to break the stigma around bipolar disorder and empower others in their mental health journeys.

The discussion covers Amanda's past experiences, her involvement in mental health advocacy, and her creation of a journal designed to help individuals manage their mental health symptoms.

Grab your own journal here!\n\n00:00 Introduction to Amanda McNamara\n00:39 Amanda's Early Struggles and Coping Mechanisms\n01:18 Founding Monarch Mental Health\n02:42 Personal Reflections and Impact of Journaling\n03:46 Amanda's Diagnosis and Family History\n06:21 Initial Treatment and Challenges\n08:44 High School Experiences and Coping Strategies\n11:52 Transition to Adulthood and Medication Struggles\n17:55 Taking Bipolar Disorder Seriously\n24:05 Medication Adjustments and Environmental Changes\n26:35 Deepest Depressive Episode\n27:21 Questioning Medications and Side Effects\n29:49 Hospitalization and New Medications\n31:36 Manic Episode and Suicidal Thoughts\n35:32 Creating the Brain Journal\n39:33 Founding Monarch Mental Health\n42:52 The Importance of Journaling\n45:59 Connecting with Monarch Mental Health