Riding the Roller Coaster: Living with Mood Disorders

Mood disorders, such as depression and manic depression, affect up to 10% of the population. Marja Bergen is one of those people. Over the 30 years that she has had manic depression, she has gradually adopted a lifestyle that makes it possible not only to cope, but to live a full and productive life. In Riding the Roller Coaster, she shares very practical tips on such things as escaping the blues before they grab you, what to do when you don't feel like doing anything, and keeping life stable. Visit Marja's website, http://www.livingroomsupport.org

MARJA BERGEN is an award-winning photographer and freelance writer who has lived with manic depression and psychosis for 30 years. Her articles have appeared in The Vancouver Sun, and Fellowship magazine. In 1994/95, she served on the editorial committee of Moments, published by the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Marja founded ""Living Room,"" a faith-based support group for people with mood disorders. The program was such a success that she created a set of manuals to help other groups start up. There are now nine ""Living Rooms"" in Canada and more in the process of getting started. The benefits of Living Room are huge. It gives participants a place where they can talk about both, their faith AND their mental health challenges, something not usually comfortably done in secular support groups or church groups. At Living Room people can be authentic and not fear judgment or lack of acceptance. We create a loving environment for everyone, no matter where they are spiritually or emotionally.