Mental(ish)

Mental(ish) is a raw and unflinching exploration of Melissa Pang Howard's journey through c-PTSD, chronic illness, and medical negligence. Diagnosed with Bipolar 1 disorder at nineteen, she unravels the experiences that shaped her before and after her diagnosis, uncovering how childhood trauma and a rigid cultural and religious upbringing contributed to her struggles. With candor and vulnerability, Melissa examines the ways these early influences distorted her self-perception and fueled the challenges of living with a severe mood disorder. She shares the untold truths of navigating Bipolar 1-its volatility, its darkness, and its impact on her identity-while also highlighting the strategies, treatments, and personal revelations that have helped her not just survive but thrive. Mental(ish) is both a personal reckoning and a testament to resilience, offering insight, validation, and hope to those on similar paths.