Comments on: Living with Bipolar Disorder http://www.tienchiu.com/2009/10/living-with-bipolar-disorder/ Tien Chiu's website Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:05:12 +0000 hourly 1 By: Sarah Burgess http://www.tienchiu.com/2009/10/living-with-bipolar-disorder/comment-page-1/#comment-2994 Sarah Burgess Fri, 26 Aug 2011 01:00:36 +0000 http://www.tienchiu.com/?p=4345#comment-2994 I cried. So much of my own story mirrors yours; reading this wonderful composition was somewhat spooky. Right now I'm in the "scooping ice cream" phase (I actually do scoop ice cream - and am currently living with my parents instead of being checked in somewhere) and getting my meds balanced. I had to leave grad school as well but am slowly plodding my way back. Thank you so much for writing this. I'm sharing this page with my closest friends: the only ones that know that I am going through this. I cried.

So much of my own story mirrors yours; reading this wonderful composition was somewhat spooky. Right now I’m in the “scooping ice cream” phase (I actually do scoop ice cream – and am currently living with my parents instead of being checked in somewhere) and getting my meds balanced. I had to leave grad school as well but am slowly plodding my way back.

Thank you so much for writing this. I’m sharing this page with my closest friends: the only ones that know that I am going through this.

]]> By: Stephanie Levine http://www.tienchiu.com/2009/10/living-with-bipolar-disorder/comment-page-1/#comment-2760 Stephanie Levine Thu, 07 Jul 2011 22:56:18 +0000 http://www.tienchiu.com/?p=4345#comment-2760 Wow Tien--I read this post after you mentioned it on Facebook. I'm really impressed with how well you've handled the bipolar disorder and the perspective it has given you. It's wonderful that you've found a treatment that keeps it in check. Keep loving life, and never lose the fabulous insights you've gained from the struggle! Stephanie Wow Tien–I read this post after you mentioned it on Facebook. I’m really impressed with how well you’ve handled the bipolar disorder and the perspective it has given you. It’s wonderful that you’ve found a treatment that keeps it in check. Keep loving life, and never lose the fabulous insights you’ve gained from the struggle!

Stephanie

]]> By: Anne Barclay http://www.tienchiu.com/2009/10/living-with-bipolar-disorder/comment-page-1/#comment-2171 Anne Barclay Mon, 10 Jan 2011 23:06:19 +0000 http://www.tienchiu.com/?p=4345#comment-2171 Tien, thank you for for such an open and honest account of your struggles...and eventual triumphs. It is inspirational to read how courageous you have been, and as so many other readers appear to to feel, your story describes episodes that are similar to my own experiences. Although I haven't been diagnosed with BP, all descriptions seem to fit my experience. But curiously, I came to your blog because I was looking up collapse weaving! I trained as a woven textile designer in London, and I have just forced myself through a Masters Degree in Art, 2010. Your work is wonderful. Isn't it interesting that we choose a craft that is by all accounts one of the most technically challenging, and mentally demanding! Just goes with the territory I guess! Finally, it was your end comments about prioritizing and learning to accept yourself that struck the deepest. This is where I am at right now. I have had to leave my teaching job after 10 years, realising now though that it is my own mind that is tormenting me. But now I start again...new goals, and learn to be kinder to me, without the guilt! Again, thank you so much and keep weaving :) Anne Tien, thank you for for such an open and honest account of your struggles…and eventual triumphs. It is inspirational to read how courageous you have been, and as so many other readers appear to to feel, your story describes episodes that are similar to my own experiences. Although I haven’t been diagnosed with BP, all descriptions seem to fit my experience.

But curiously, I came to your blog because I was looking up collapse weaving! I trained as a woven textile designer in London, and I have just forced myself through a Masters Degree in Art, 2010. Your work is wonderful. Isn’t it interesting that we choose a craft that is by all accounts one of the most technically challenging, and mentally demanding! Just goes with the territory I guess!

Finally, it was your end comments about prioritizing and learning to accept yourself that struck the deepest. This is where I am at right now. I have had to leave my teaching job after 10 years, realising now though that it is my own mind that is tormenting me. But now I start again…new goals, and learn to be kinder to me, without the guilt!

Again, thank you so much and keep weaving :)

Anne

]]> By: Kathleen Dickey http://www.tienchiu.com/2009/10/living-with-bipolar-disorder/comment-page-1/#comment-1940 Kathleen Dickey Sun, 19 Sep 2010 01:29:34 +0000 http://www.tienchiu.com/?p=4345#comment-1940 Dear Tien, I finally read your blog - wow. I'm so sorry that you had to suffer for so long, so glad that you are alive and can make these AMAZING weavings. Thanks for your candor. take care, Kathleen Dear Tien,
I finally read your blog – wow. I’m so sorry that you had to suffer for so long, so glad that you are alive and can make these AMAZING weavings. Thanks for your candor. take care, Kathleen

]]> By: Kristine Brooks http://www.tienchiu.com/2009/10/living-with-bipolar-disorder/comment-page-1/#comment-1606 Kristine Brooks Thu, 15 Apr 2010 02:34:42 +0000 http://www.tienchiu.com/?p=4345#comment-1606 Dear Tien, I stumbled across your website by reading your recent post on the dyers-list. What a treasure of joy, enthusiasm and beauty. Thank you. I am so honored and excited to meet you and learn of your extraordinary endeavors for others and yourself. I suffered as an abused child and made the choice to be a strong person and get through it so that I could choose to live a happy life. This was not easy and came with much loss and despair, but I made it and I have a wonderful life now that I decide how it is lived. I have been on meds for anxiety and depression for over 20 years, but it has only been in the past six years that I have really given myself the permission to take it consistently and know that there is nothing wrong with me but a chemical imbalance. You are right, it isn't a crutch, it is an important part of life balance for me as a human being. Your life story, your poetry, your weaving are powerful tools to your happy existence, and I wanted to say thank you for sharing it with us. I found that once I shared what happened to me on a major scale, I was able to move past it. Below is a link to the artwork that is now touring the nation that Susan Lenz created. I hope you find it as compelling and helpful to look at and think about as I did, not just my portrait, but all of her portraits about decisions we all make in life. http://artbysusanlenz.blogspot.com/2009/04/decision-portrait-series-on-overcoming.html I am a fiber artist and hand dyer living in San Diego. I often travel in the same circles as you in N. CA. I might even know the Jeane that you have hired to skein your skeins. I have one of her skeining machines as well. Anyway, thank you thank you. Sincerely fondly and "you go girl!", Kristine Dear Tien,

I stumbled across your website by reading your recent post on the dyers-list. What a treasure of joy, enthusiasm and beauty. Thank you.

I am so honored and excited to meet you and learn of your extraordinary endeavors for others and yourself. I suffered as an abused child and made the choice to be a strong person and get through it so that I could choose to live a happy life. This was not easy and came with much loss and despair, but I made it and I have a wonderful life now that I decide how it is lived.

I have been on meds for anxiety and depression for over 20 years, but it has only been in the past six years that I have really given myself the permission to take it consistently and know that there is nothing wrong with me but a chemical imbalance. You are right, it isn’t a crutch, it is an important part of life balance for me as a human being.

Your life story, your poetry, your weaving are powerful tools to your happy existence, and I wanted to say thank you for sharing it with us. I found that once I shared what happened to me on a major scale, I was able to move past it. Below is a link to the artwork that is now touring the nation that Susan Lenz created. I hope you find it as compelling and helpful to look at and think about as I did, not just my portrait, but all of her portraits about decisions we all make in life. http://artbysusanlenz.blogspot.com/2009/04/decision-portrait-series-on-overcoming.html

I am a fiber artist and hand dyer living in San Diego. I often travel in the same circles as you in N. CA. I might even know the Jeane that you have hired to skein your skeins. I have one of her skeining machines as well. Anyway, thank you thank you. Sincerely fondly and “you go girl!”, Kristine

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