Something I am Proud Of: I am proud of how my career has progressed since my diagnosis. I was diagnosed in 2019 almost a year before the first wave of the pandemic. Since my diagnosis AND a few med changes , I’ve been able to succeed at work and be promoted more than...
Author: Melissa Howard For people who live with bipolar disorder (bd), travelling internationally or across time zones, poses specific health risks that otherwise, do not affect individuals who do not live with a mental illness. Travelling can be stressful for...
Something I am Proud Of: After being diagnosed at the age of 23, my life was falling apart. I was kicked out of college, lost my girlfriend of three years, and just attended a medical convention in which I felt like an imposter. Even worse, I began to unravel in and...
Author: Charles Kelly After being discharged from the hospital, I often felt lost and disconnected from the outside world. Conversations with others felt awkward and disjointed, leaving me confused about what had happened. Hitting rock bottom after a dramatic...
Something I am Proud Of: I was 30 when first diagnosed with Bipolar type II, comorbid with borderline personality disorder. I finally reached out to a professional help after decades of hesitation thinking that I simply just a very “emotional” person. I was relieved...
Author: Matthew Palmieri Accepting a Bipolar diagnosis can take many years. Some may never come to terms with the illness, living in denial while it wreaks havoc on everything held dear. I know that was me for about 9 years after I was diagnosed.I wouldn’t even...
Something I am Proud Of: Proud of Pushing Through the Fear of Bipolar I’m proud that despite my early experiences with bipolar in my family, I was able to push through the fear, and accept and embrace my diagnosis of bipolar. In the late 1970s, my sister was...
Author: Sam Bowman Pet therapy can meaningfully improve your quality of life if you live with bipolar disorder and have a love for animals. This sentiment is echoed by research published in News in Health, which found that people who spend time with pets and...
Author: Thiago Lopes Genaro Brazil is a giant country. It is the fifth largest country in the world, behind Russia, Canada, China and the United States. The Amazon region is immense. There are municipalities in the Amazon that are 7 days away by boat from the...
Author: Ros Growing up I was never into exercise. I was that kid that didn’t do well in gym class and did everything to not have to run. So you can imagine my dismay, when fast forward to varsity, my therapist told me I should exercise more. My therapist didn’t...
Something I am Proud Of: Learn to rest, not to quit. These words have stuck with me through my bipolar I journey since diagnosed at 19-years-old. When I was first diagnosed, I experienced a mammoth wave of both relief – finally putting a name to the unexplained...
I wish I had known that I was born with what I call a “bipolar brain.” My whole life I have been living on the “bipolar spectrum.” For decades, my brain was gradually changing, and my subclinical bipolar condition growing ever-close to clinical bipolar disorder (BD)....
Dear Andrea of the past, You know how you’ve wanted to die for the past few weeks? That horrendous feeling in your stomach that the world is out to get you? The inability to sleep? The agitation? Guess what – you have bipolar disorder. I know you’re...
Sleep is my number one priority for maintaining my health and wellbeing, and I cannot stress this enough.With time I learned it was my key source to a balanced life along with my everyday medication regimen. I am particularly sensitive about my sleep environment,...
I am open about my bipolar with both family and friends. I have discussed my symptoms with them, and it has struck many interesting conversations. I spoke at my father’s work when I was 16 about mental health and teens, and it was eye-opening for my father. He knew...
My current favorite self-care practice is small outings by myself to explore local places. Going to public spaces like bookstores and farmer’s markets, even just to walk around for a bit, is a great way to combat isolation and change the environment around me. I also...
Yes, I’ve discussed my diagnosis with most of my friends. For some of them I had to explain it quite a bit — a lot of the pop culture understanding of bipolar disorder isn’t quite accurate — and others were already familiar with it. They generally were appreciative...
For much of college, I was either undermedicated or on the wrong medication, so I missed a lot of class due to both mania and depression which did not serve my grades well. Getting tutoring for some classes helped because I could focus more in an environment that was...
Author: Lexie Manion Therapy has been a part of my everyday life since I was a teenager seeking help for my eating disorder and self-harm for the first time. When I first began this healing process, I was ambivalent and distrustful. The first therapist I saw...
Something I am Proud Of: This marks 25 years since being diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder. After I was diagnosed, I was told I would never function fully in life and would be permanently disabled. Sadly, for many years, I believed this narrative. Thankfully, I have...
Author: Birdie Thorn When we are young, we want to be things like doctors, astronauts, and firemen. We picture the day when we will become an adult and live out those dreams. When we are young, we can’t grasp the amount of work, time, and sacrifice that will go...
Something I am Proud Of: Throughout this journey, I have discovered more about myself than I ever could have imagined. My experiences with depression began in 7th grade and evolved into struggles with suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, self-harm, PTSD, and psychosis...
Author: Melissa Howard There is not a definitive conclusion that childhood trauma (CT) may be responsible for the onset of bipolar disorder (BD), however, there have been multiple case studies that have shown that childhood adversity can trigger and impact the...
Something I am Proud Of: I have been living with the diagnosis of Bipolar 1 since 2001. It has been quite the journey and I have learned a great deal in 23 years of managing my diagnosis. On June 14, 2024, I celebrated 10 years of stability. While it hasn’t been...
Author: Subrina Singh Majority of people living with bipolar disorder would agree that one of the most daunting experiences is inpatient treatment. For many psych patients, including myself, inpatient treatment is viewed as a punishment or failure. While...
Author: Matthew Palmieri When symptomatic, bipolar illness can be all consuming. During manic episodes, I have overwhelming feelings of euphoria, grandiosity and extreme irritability. When I’m depressed, it feels like my life is over and I’ll never get out of...
Something I am Proud Of: I am proud of the fact that I can live a balanced, meaningful life with family, friends, music, martial arts, and a career in cybersecurity even with bipolar disorder. I thought my life was over when I had to be rushed to the hospital and I...
Author: Sam Bowman Living with bipolar disorder involves navigating through fluctuating highs and lows, making managing energy levels a daily challenge. This constant shift in energy can be physically exhausting and emotionally draining, disrupting the balance...
Author: Melissa Howard I was fourteen when an ovarian tumour was discovered on my left ovary. I had been menstruating for just over a year when the diagnosis was made. The large tumor was removed along with the majority of the small organ. A minimal amount of...
Something I am Proud Of: I am grateful for the journey I’ve been through, for being diagnosed quickly, and for finding the right treatment for me. Ever since I was a teenager, I suffered from anxiety and depression, with crying spells, suicidal thoughts, and...
Author: Matthew Palmieri There was a time when I believed therapy was simply a means to an end. If I spoke with someone about my problems, I was there for solutions to eventually conclude the sessions. My views have changed over the years. Therapy is now an...
Starry Night 2024 Sponsorship Opportunities $25,000+ STARRY NIGHT SUPPORTER 10 guest tickets – Logo or family name prominently featured on event signage – Logo or family name displayed on event screen – Recognition in program – Verbal...
Author: Subrina Singh Two phrases you see everywhere: self-care and self-love. But what do they actually mean? What is their relationship with mental health and mental illness, more specifically with bipolar disorder? I often ask myself, which of the two is...
Resources from NAMI LQBTQIA+ Resources CenterLink, an international nonprofit organization and association of LGBTQ centers and other LGBTQ organizations serving their local and regional communities, offers a “CenterLink LGBT Community Center Member Directory”...
Something I am Proud Of: My experience with bipolar disorder has instilled in me a deep empathy for those navigating mental health challenges within the criminal justice system. While my journey hasn’t been without its hurdles, such as major depressive episodes...
As we celebrate Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s crucial to start conversations that matter. This month, we’re reaching out to our community to discuss important questions surrounding men’s mental health. Let’s raise awareness,...
Author: Lexie Manion In my late twenties, I have grown to be very fond of carving out safe spaces of community; safe spaces are an important part of my identity. The people who support me mirror my brave heart and vast authenticity. Feeling wholly supported...
Author: Sam Bowman Living and working with bipolar disorder can present unique hurdles, but your professional growth doesn’t have to be hindered. Supporting your mental wellness is crucial to forging a positive career path with bipolar. With the right resources...
Something I am Proud Of: My story of resilience began nine years ago. That was the year I entered law school. They asked me: “are you sure you can handle this?” Hardly scratching the surface of what my Bipolar I diagnosis meant, I said I could. It took me twice as...
Something I am Proud Of: I’m not going to lie, sometimes it is difficult to acknowledge the parts of me that I am proud of. Before, I found pride and value in a lot of external things: my wardrobe, my relationships with others, how I presented on social media. In the...
Author: Matthew Palmieri As someone suffering from a severe mood disorder, one of the hardest things to come to grips with is how stress with work and school impacts my ability to function on a day-to-day basis. While I have had extended periods of...
Maternal Mental Health Month Maternal Mental Health Month is celebrated each May to raise awareness about parents’ mental well-being before, during, and after pregnancy. Celebrating this month can mean acknowledging the importance of monitoring maternal mental...
Something I am Proud Of: What I am proud of in my journey is that I never gave up, no matter how hard things got. I always found a way to power through the darkness after a manic episode, and the trauma that can come along. I have been in a mental hospital 4 times...
Author: Sam Bowman Home should be a safe haven for children living with bipolar disorder. As a parent or caregiver, you have the unique opportunity to create a supportive home environment for them that fosters growth and compassion. As they’re growing up,...
Author: Sara Trejo Creativity has always been an impactful outlet for me. For a long time, I’d struggle expressing myself, I’d doubt my creative abilities, or question whether I would even consider myself creative at all. It wasn’t until I eventually asked...
Author: Matthew Palmieri It’s no secret that if left untreated, bipolar illness can have a devastating impact on relationships. So when symptoms take over, it’s crucial to start looking at the triggers that lead to a change in thinking and behavior. A few...
Something I am Proud Of: I was diagnosed with Bipolar I at the age of 18 following six years of inexplicable behaviours, emotional dysregulation, and suicidal ideation. In my final year of high school, I dropped five courses, and the future I had always dreamed for...
Author: Lee Formella After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, there were many emotions that ran through me immediately, and for a long time thereafter. Among these feelings were two that were hard to overcome; confusion and defeat. I was confused about what...
Something I am Proud Of: I am proud of what was once impossible; some stability living with Bipolar 2 through a consistent routine. After 15 years of drinking, gambling, and yelling at those I love; I no longer drink,I workout 3-5x/ week, eat healthy, sleep 8 hours,...
Something I am Proud Of: There have been countless times where I felt like I just couldn’t “do life”. In my most recent series of episodes, I quit my job that I once loved, I showered 3 times a month on average, I wore the same clothes I slept in...
