Sunday, February 9, 2025
53.6 F
Roseville

Woman Managing Two Mental Illnesses

Madelyn Heslet lives just south of Toledo, Ohio, and has been diagnosed by a mental health professional with both a form of bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Both are considered severe and persistent mental illnesses. I became aware of 24-year-old Heslet after reading her blog.

According to the National Institutes of Health, bipolar disorder is a “mental illness that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, sleep, and behavior,” and usually involves some combination of manic and depressive episodes. People with BPD, on the other hand, often engage in impulsive and reckless behaviors, have unstable relationships, and have difficulty regulating emotions and thoughts. Many people with BPD as children were sexually abused.

In a telephone interview, Heslet said, “I’ve been hospitalized in the psychiatric unit three times. The first time I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the second with (BPD), and the third with post-partem depression (after having a child).” She said at times she has had suicidal ideation. Heslet said her mother only recently mentioned that most likely she had been a sexual abuse victim early in life.

As for BPD, she said her own experience with it could be summed up best in the book, I Hate You, Don’t Leave Me. One the one hand, while regularly manipulating and lying to partners in romantic relationships, she also has recognized a need to correct her tendencies.

She said, “I’ve always (manipulated men) in my romantic relationships, which has resulted in the end of all those relationships. I don’t like being alone and I’m afraid of being alone. Then someone does something that shouldn’t offend me but does. Also, sometimes I find the littlest reason to hate someone.”

One of her hospitalizations occurred during her first semester at college, where she was studying occupational therapy. She will be returning to college via online courses this month while raising her 16-month-old child at home.

She said, “I’m also doing mental health advocacy work (such as my blog) that helps me deal with my own issues. Writing a (blog) about the good things about BPD helped me see this about myself. One good thing about having BPD is I feel I’m more empathetic towards others than most people. It’s easy for me to pick up on other people’s emotions and empathize with others.” Heslet advised people with BPD to begin and maintain mental health therapy for “the sake of your relationships with other people.”



Brighter Side

Trending

LA-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor in Roseville

Transform your living room and bedroom with La-Z-Boy's comfortable home furniture. Shop for sofas, couches, recliners, chairs, tables, mattress in a box, and more today.

Roseville Pleasant Grove Creek Trail closure for critical repairs

Roseville, Calif. - The trail crossing over Pleasant Grove Creek is closed for critical repairs between Old Coach Drive/Phillips Park and the Orchard View Road trailhead parking lot.

RG Philips Park in Roseville

RG Philips Park "This 6.5 acre park features a children’s...

Roseville welcomes US Quadball West Coast National Qualifier to Maidu Park

Roseville, Calif. - Quadball, an action-packed sport that evolved from the Harry Potter novels, will hold its only West Coast national qualifier Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9 at Maidu Regional Park in Roseville.

The Crepe Stop in Roseville

The Crepe Stop in Roseville. Savory & Sweet. Crepes, Pancakes, Waffles, Gelato, Boba Tea.

Topics

LA-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor in Roseville

Transform your living room and bedroom with La-Z-Boy's comfortable home furniture. Shop for sofas, couches, recliners, chairs, tables, mattress in a box, and more today.

Roseville Pleasant Grove Creek Trail closure for critical repairs

Roseville, Calif. - The trail crossing over Pleasant Grove Creek is closed for critical repairs between Old Coach Drive/Phillips Park and the Orchard View Road trailhead parking lot.

RG Philips Park in Roseville

RG Philips Park "This 6.5 acre park features a children’s...

Roseville welcomes US Quadball West Coast National Qualifier to Maidu Park

Roseville, Calif. - Quadball, an action-packed sport that evolved from the Harry Potter novels, will hold its only West Coast national qualifier Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9 at Maidu Regional Park in Roseville.

The Crepe Stop in Roseville

The Crepe Stop in Roseville. Savory & Sweet. Crepes, Pancakes, Waffles, Gelato, Boba Tea.

Roseville Today Super Bowl party picks for Eagles and Chiefs game

Roseville, Calif.- This Sunday at the Superdome in New Orleans, the Philadelphia take on the Chiefs in Super Bowl 59. A super-sized rematch and unofficial national holiday of $8 million dollar commercials, food and drink and a little football.

Quarry Oaks Apartments in Rocklin

Quarry Oaks Apartments in Rocklin, Calif.

All American Sweeping Co. in Roseville

All American Sweeping's objective is to provide personalized customer service with an emphasis on professionalism, communication, responsiveness and quality at a fair price

Related Articles

Local Spotlight

Paul Black’s Solar Panel Cleaning in Roseville serving the region for over 30 years

Roseville, Calif. - Money-saving solar panels in Roseville, Rocklin and throughout South Placer County have become ubiquitous From new residential solar communities continue to big business and after market installation, solar seems to be a smart choice to shred those high monthly electric costs.

Mobley Pest Services in Roseville serving the community and region for over 20 years

Roseville, Calif.- Fully licensed and bonded, Mobley Pest Services in Roseville has been providing reliable pest control services for well over 20 years. Serving residents and businesses in the greater Placer and Sacramento region, Mobley Pest Services is locally owned and operated in Roseville.

Roseville Sheet Metal serving community’s heating and air needs for over 70 years

Roseville, Calif. - At Roseville Sheet Metal, we’re proud of our years of service to the Roseville area and look forward to helping you with your air conditioning and heating needs.