Oct 07 2024 48 mins 1
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.
Amanda 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!
00:00 Introduction to Amanda McNamara
00:39 Amanda's Early Struggles and Coping Mechanisms
01:18 Founding Monarch Mental Health
02:42 Personal Reflections and Impact of Journaling
03:46 Amanda's Diagnosis and Family History
06:21 Initial Treatment and Challenges
08:44 High School Experiences and Coping Strategies
11:52 Transition to Adulthood and Medication Struggles
17:55 Taking Bipolar Disorder Seriously
24:05 Medication Adjustments and Environmental Changes
26:35 Deepest Depressive Episode
27:21 Questioning Medications and Side Effects
29:49 Hospitalization and New Medications
31:36 Manic Episode and Suicidal Thoughts
35:32 Creating the Brain Journal
39:33 Founding Monarch Mental Health
42:52 The Importance of Journaling
45:59 Connecting with Monarch Mental Health
