The conversation highlights their journey to seek a diagnosis and accept Traci’s mental health struggles, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting individuals with mental illness. Lana discusses her role in supporting Traci and emphasizes the significance of empathy and support in helping those with mental illness.

The dialogue also addresses the impact of mental illness on relationships, with Traci often hiding her struggles from loved ones. However, they emphasize the power of acceptance and understanding, hoping to inspire greater empathy and support for those facing similar challenges. Overall, the conversation advocates for open discussions and unconditional support to create a more inclusive and compassionate society for individuals living with mental illness.

Traci shares her experience with clinical depression, highlighting the importance of support. She discusses reaching out to a friend for help, receiving a diagnosis, starting medication, and the role of support and understanding in her recovery. Understanding and empathizing with those with depression is crucial. Traci reflects on her journey of overcoming depression, emphasizing support and seeking professional help. She discusses the challenges, finding strength, personal growth, and the positive impact of seeking help. Clinical depression requires understanding and support, and seeking help is essential for management and recovery.

In this episode, Traci and Eric discuss the importance of finding the right therapist, drawing from Traci’s recent experience in finding a new psychiatrist. Traci emphasizes the significance of being open to trying different therapists until you find the right fit. She provides tips for finding the right therapist, such as consulting provider directories, asking for recommendations, using online databases, and exploring local resources. Traci also highlights the benefits of online therapy and stresses the importance of open communication with your therapist. The post concludes by emphasizing the crucial role of finding a therapist who understands and supports your needs in managing mental health and well-being.

Traci and Eric discuss the challenges of traveling with bipolar disorder in this episode of Stigmas and Open Wounds. Traci provides practical tips for enhancing travel experiences, including staying grounded, embracing relaxation, prioritizing self-care, trusting instincts, and cultivating gratitude. They emphasize the importance of mindfulness and gratitude in elevating travel experiences. Additionally, they recommend the show “As We See It” for its portrayal of individuals on the autism spectrum. Despite the challenges, with the right approach, individuals can optimize their travel experiences and cultivate well-being.

Traci discusses her journey of coping with anxiety in this blog post on Stigmas and Open Wounds. She emphasizes the importance of natural coping mechanisms, sharing strategies that have helped her manage anxiety. Traci highlights the need to personalize coping methods, acknowledging that what works for one person may not work for another. She suggests exploring various coping strategies, such as mindless activities, meditation, massage therapy, and worry journaling, to find what works best. Traci also notes that these techniques can be beneficial for managing everyday stress and worries, not just anxiety. She concludes by encouraging readers to prioritize their mental well-being and seek professional help if needed.

Traci and Eric welcome guest Gavin Schmitt to discuss his experience with anxiety and coping mechanisms on Stigmas and Open Wounds. Gavin shares his struggles with anxiety, including his first panic attack at 21 and the impact on his daily life. He explains how he identified triggers and developed coping mechanisms, such as creating a sense of comfort in triggering situations. Gavin also discusses how his experience has increased his compassion and awareness of mental health issues in others. He reflects on making adjustments and maintaining a positive mindset to prevent anxiety attacks. Gavin’s story highlights the importance of developing coping mechanisms, showing empathy towards others, and seeking support for mental health issues.

In this episode of Stigmas and Open Wounds, Traci interviews Eric about his experience supporting a partner with depression. Eric recalls his initial lack of understanding about depression but acknowledges that over the years, it has become easier to support Traci. Being with Traci has taught Eric patience, understanding, and empathy, and has made him more aware of the prevalence and complexity of mental illness. He emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and open environment for discussing mental health and destigmatizing the conversation around it.

The Spoonie theory has created a community where individuals with invisible illnesses can connect, empathize, and feel understood. This sense of belonging offers validation and support. Host Traci’s excitement upon discovering the Spoonie theory reflects its empowering impact. In the next episode, the podcast will explore how being part of the Spoonie community has affected Traci personally. The podcast encourages feedback and reminds listeners that they are not alone, with the Spoonie community ready to provide support.

Traci and Eric discuss the challenges of managing mental health in their podcast, Stigmas and Open Wounds. They share personal experiences, highlighting the importance of self-awareness, mutual support, and education. Their journey underscores the significance of understanding and empathy in navigating mental health challenges. They advocate for raising awareness to reduce stigma and offer insights for supporting individuals with mental illness.

Traci and Eric explore sensory overload, discussing its definition, symptoms, and management. They note that it can affect anyone but is particularly common in individuals with autism, PTSD, and sensory processing disorders. Symptoms include discomfort, sensitivity to stimuli, anxiety, and irritability. Management strategies include avoiding triggers, seeking support, and creating safe spaces. They also discuss the stigma around mental illness and advocate for education and understanding.

Traci and Eric explore the traits and challenges of empaths in a captivating conversation. They highlight the importance of setting boundaries to prevent emotional depletion and discuss the unique perspectives empaths bring to the world. Coping with sensory and emotional overload is addressed, emphasizing self-compassion and mindfulness. The benefits of being an empath, such as being intuitive and empathetic, are acknowledged. Additionally, they touch on the origins of empathy, suggesting a correlation with mental health literacy. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding towards individuals with heightened sensitivity.

Traci and Eric discuss the impact of diet on bipolar disorder and mental health in an episode of their podcast. They advise listeners to be mindful of how certain foods can affect mood and well-being. The hosts highlight foods to avoid, such as caffeine and alcohol, and emphasize the importance of consulting healthcare professionals about dietary considerations, especially regarding medication interactions.

Traci and Eric discuss the effects of diet on bipolar disorder and mental health, advising listeners to make informed dietary choices. They highlight foods to avoid and stress the importance of consulting healthcare professionals about dietary considerations.

Traci and Eric discuss overthinking in this podcast episode, highlighting its dual nature as both a problem-solving tool and a source of anxiety. They emphasize the need to recognize when overthinking becomes harmful and provide coping mechanisms such as talk therapy, distraction, journaling, meditation, and addressing the root cause. The hosts encourage listeners to share their experiences and coping strategies, fostering a supportive environment for discussing mental health challenges.

The hosts of the podcast discuss the confusion between anxiety attacks and panic attacks, sharing personal experiences and emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between the two. They highlight relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing exercises to manage symptoms, and stress the significance of seeking professional guidance for personalized strategies. Encouraging listeners to prioritize self-care, they underscore the importance of consulting mental health professionals for managing anxiety and panic attacks. Their open discussion aims to raise awareness and support for those facing similar challenges, reminding listeners to seek help from qualified healthcare providers for personalized guidance.

In this episode of Stigmas and Open Wounds, guest Jason Lane shares his personal experience with ADHD, detailing its impact on his relationships, career, and parenting. He discusses the challenges of finding suitable medication and the effects of being unmedicated due to insurance limitations. Jason’s story underscores the daily struggles faced by those with ADHD and emphasizes the need for understanding and support. His journey highlights the importance of recognizing and nurturing individuals’ strengths to help them succeed.

Traci, Eric, and Jason discuss the challenges of parenting a child with special needs, focusing on Jason’s experiences raising his son, Jack, who has lead poisoning and autism. They explore Jack’s struggles with impulse control, sensory issues, learning difficulties, and mental health. Jason emphasizes the importance of open communication, understanding individual abilities, and parenting authentically. They also touch on the complexities of medication management and the need for a supportive environment. Overall, the conversation highlights the unique challenges of parenting a child with special needs and the importance of empathy and support.

Traci reflects on the journey of Season 1 of A New Stigmas and Open Wounds, highlighting the podcast’s role in challenging mental health stigmas. She expresses gratitude to guests Lana, Lisa Hyer, Gavin Schmitt, and Jason Lane for sharing their stories, which enriched the show and resonated with listeners. Traci emphasizes the importance of understanding mental health through diverse perspectives and invites listeners to contribute their stories for future seasons, aiming to create a space where all voices are valued.