Natasha Tracy's Blog

I’m never going to call bipolar pain a “gift.” Most days, I just want it to stop. But emotional and even physical pain aren’t always random torture—they’re often trying to tell us something. This piece digs into what your pain might be saying, how to listen, and how that can make living with it just a little easier.

After 24 of 30 TMS sessions with no meaningful improvement, I wrote the guide I needed: why failed treatment hurts, how to get through the next 72 hours, and what to ask your clinician now.

Does TMS cause headaches or migraines? Yes, sometimes. This first-person guide explains the pain, how to tell TMS headache from migraine, and the relief tactics—dose ramping, coil adjustments, and other techniques—that helped me keep going.

World Mental Health Day, 2025: The U.S. is rolling back mental-health care. Parity is paused, 988 LGBTQ+ services were cut, and clinics face funding hits. Here’s exactly what changed and how it harms people with mental illness.

Thinking of taking an online mental health quiz or asking AI for a diagnosis? Most online mental health quizzes aren’t validated. Learn which clinician-used screens actually help (PHQ-9, GAD-7, MDQ, ASRS, PCL-5, AUDIT), how to use them safely, and when a positive screen means it’s time to see a professional.

For decades, people were told bipolar disorder was just a ‘chemical imbalance.’ That idea was never accurate—and modern science proves it. From brain scans to genetics and circadian rhythms, research shows bipolar disorder has real biological markers. Learn why the myth persists, what the evidence really says, and how it matters in everyday life.

Self-hatred in bipolar disorder can feel relentless — a voice telling you you’re not enough, day after day. But this voice is lying to you. Discover why bipolar disorder makes it so easy to hate yourself, how it steals your self-worth, and practical steps to break the cycle.

Learn why bipolar disorder can cut life expectancy by up to 20 years—from suicide and heart disease to sleep, inflammation, and medication risks—and discover practical, research-backed strategies to reclaim those lost years.

Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots promise instant, stigma-free mental-health support—but are they safe? This article reviews the latest clinical evidence, exposes privacy and ethical risks, and offers a practical 7-point checklist so you can vet any mental-health app before you pour your heart into it.

Curious about acupuncture, omega-3s, NAC, massage, homeopathy, or hypnosis for bipolar disorder? I dug into trials—good, bad, and ugly. Discover which alternative treatments show real evidence (hint: only a few) and which can waste money or delay lifesaving care. Read the data-driven verdict before you spend a dime.