For Immediate Release From Kingdom Levine-Oliver Publisher, Inc.!
YOU ARE INVITE TO READ WORD PRESS BLOGS BY AGNES LEVINE:
LIFE SKILLS, LAUGHTER, AND LESSONS: MY DAY PROGRAM EXPERIENCE
Apr
11
Throughout my journey living with Bipolar Disorder, managing the drowsiness caused by my medications has been a learning process. Initially, I would often give in to the drowsiness by napping or sleeping. However, during my time in the Behavioral Health Day Program, I discovered that I didn’t always need to go to bed right after taking my medications. While some medicines slowed me down, I learned there were still activities I could engage in until the drowsiness subsided. For those medications that required rest, I found that taking them in the evening at bedtime worked best.
One impactful experience in the program was participating in a life skills workshop. This group focused on relearning and practicing daily life tasks, which many of us found challenging in different ways. For me, difficulties with my hands and fingers affected tasks like writing, cooking, hygiene, and grooming.
We also worked on independent community outings, such as grocery shopping. On my first outing, I struggled with drowsiness and scored low for the activity, which wasn’t surprising. Reflecting back, I find humor in that trip—most of my peers were men who weren’t accustomed to shopping for themselves. One hilariously argued in the coffee aisle over the price of coffee, while others took forever to complete their lists. After speeding through mine, I grew tired of waiting and found a quiet corner in the back of the store to lie down. Our chaperone had enough of us all!
By the end of the program, our group made significant progress. Despite the chaos of that first outing, we all achieved high scores and gained valuable skills along the way!
On a serious note, it’s crucial to carefully read and pay attention to the warnings on every prescription, as these instructions can change over time. This is especially important for new medications. For instance, if there’s a warning advising against driving or operating a motor vehicle, it’s essential to heed it.
Unfortunately, I once failed to review the warning on a new medication that advised against driving. This oversight led to a severe car accident, which totaled my vehicle and sent my son to the hospital. Thankfully, by the grace of GAWD MOST HIGH, there were no injuries, but it was a deeply humbling experience. As a consequence of the accident, my driver’s license was suspended for six months—a painful reminder of the importance of understanding medication warnings.
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ANGELS AT MY DOOR: FINDING FAITH AND HOPE AMID DESPAIR
Apr
14
Suicidal ideation, or suicidal thoughts, refers to ideas or preoccupations centered around death or suicide. Experiencing such thoughts doesn’t necessarily mean you will act on them, but it can be a warning sign. Fortunately, treatment and support are available.
I experienced suicidal ideation during the early years of living with Bipolar Disorder. At the time, I was working with the same therapist who had helped me distinguish reality from hallucinations and navigate other challenges. We had a contract: if I ever experienced suicidal thoughts, I would call him before taking any action.
During one particularly dark period in my life, I was overwhelmed by the struggles of married life, motherhood, and managing Bipolar Disorder. Thoughts began creeping in that it was time to leave this complicated world behind in search of peace. I formulated a plan—to take all my medications at once. I even called my therapist to say goodbye. He urged me to hold off, advising me to go to the emergency room where he would meet me. He promised to call ahead to ensure the hospital staff knew I was coming.
Right after I hung up the phone, there was a knock at my door. Two women from the Jehovah’s Witness community stood there. I invited them in, and we talked about God Most High and religion. I opened up about my thoughts to the older woman, and we continued discussing faith. She kindly offered to take me to the emergency room, and I accepted. That moment marked the divine intervention I believe saved my life. I firmly hold that God Most High sent an angel to me in my time of desperation.
At the hospital, I was admitted to the psychiatric ward for three days. During my stay, I participated in talk therapy sessions, and my medications were adjusted. Once I began to feel like I was coming up for air from the dark and murky waters, I was discharged. A few days later, I met with my therapist, feeling profoundly grateful for the contract we had in place to address my suicidal ideation.
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Posted By: agnes levine
Monday, April 14th 2025 at 11:31AM
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