220: The Journal That Changed Everything

Live Well Bipolar ™

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