Something I am Proud Of: Hi, I’m Mariah. I’m 22 years old and I currently live in Italy. Here’s my story of dealing with Bipolar 1 disorder (with psychosis). I got diagnosed in February 2022 after I found myself in the psychiatric ward lying on the bed and...
Author: Robin Mazumder BSc, MSc OT, PhD The year that followed my diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder was, without doubt, the most difficult year of my life – the deepest trench in an ocean of despair. I’d gotten used to feeling depressed but the “year of...
Author: Lianca Lyons My mother died suddenly on the afternoon of Thursday, September 14, 2023. She went into cardiac arrest and had a heart attack in front of me. To my surprise, this is NOTHING like the movies but I will spare you the horrific scene that lives...
Author: Ricardo Pavão My first manic episode was about 4 years ago, and now I understand that before that I also had long periods of depression. I can say that experiencing mania was a really tough time. I was hospitalized 4 times, basically once every year,...
Author: Niki Castle contains mentions of suicide and sexual assault Buster was the only puppy in his litter. A runt, they said. He was the perfect mix of Pomeranian, Poodle, Jack Russell terrier, and Chihuahua. A stout, white body with large brown spots and...
January 19, 2025 – We want to see you! We invite you to meet-up with IBPF, mental health advocates, and individuals with lived experience at the Carlsbad Marathon! Join us at our ocean view volunteer tent as we support the runners, make new friends, and promote...
World Bipolar Day is celebrated each year on March 30th, the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, who was posthumously diagnosed as probably having a bipolar condition. International Bipolar Foundation’s 2024 theme was #BipolarStrong! As a worldwide community, we came...
Author: Mihlali Mqushulu For months I have been contemplating this. It was not so much about sharing my experience with this lifelong rollercoaster I’ve been handed at quite a young age; But more so about if my experience will seem valid enough for anyone...
Author: Birdie Thorn I’d like to start off by saying that this is all based off my personal experience and my personal opinions. You should always consult with a doctor to determine what works best for you. I have bipolar 2 disorder. I have attempted to treat...
Author: Che’ Lang Thinking I may be dead because too many things in life are connecting perfectly, and way too often, was a sure sign that I was in the throes of a manic episode. Sleeping 2-4 hours a night was all I needed. I had no time to sleep. I had...
Author: Sam Bowman Bipolar disorder can make relocating a unique challenge to overcome. Moving is a stressful time for almost everyone due to its unpredictability. A perceived loss of control is anxiety-inducing for anyone — but particularly for those living...
Author: Matthew Palmieri Since accepting the severity of my mood disorder, I’ve admittedly developed a sense of wanting to explain my condition to friends, family, and anyone within earshot. It’s likely because I’m still trying to understand it more clearly...
by Surabhi Verma The number of people with declining mental health is unfortunately increasing rapidly. Getting more isolated and fatigued, many people have been caught in a web of mental struggles. Day by day, this web grows, yet manages to stay hidden in the...
by Katie Garrison Heart racing, tears falling, hands shaking. I will never forget that day in April of 2021- I have never experienced such hopelessness and fear. I could never have imagined that the most vulnerable and terrifying moment of my life would...
by Sophia Hasan Throughout my high school years, I have discovered the powerful impact of creativity on my mental health. When faced with academic and social pressures, engaging in creative activities became my safe place. Whether it was crocheting, sewing, or...
Author: Elizabeth Horner There are a number of truths about living with bipolar disorder that need to be accepted. One of them is that we do not have the ability to compartmentalize our lives so that bipolar disorder can affect one area of our life and not the...
Author: Brandon Russ Throughout the history of this planet, music has been something used by both individuals and societies at large to convey a variety of ideas and emotions. These include religious and spiritual groups, educational institutions, and the...
Author: Thiago Genaro Have you ever been to Rio de Janeiro? Rio reminds me of tropical natural beauty, carnival and parties. When I think of Rio, the statue of Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, sailboats in Botafogo Cove, and incredible beaches come to...
Author: Sam Bowman Developing healthy boundaries and coping mechanisms when dealing with bipolar disorder can feel like an uphill battle. Budgeting and managing your platonic, romantic, and familial relationships is already hard enough, but the overwhelming...
March 6, 2025 at 10:00 AM PT Register for the free webinar with Rajesh R Tampi, MD, MS, DFAPA, DFAAGP, here. Older Age Bipolar Disorder (OABD) is a term that is used to describe bipolar disorder (BD) occurring amongst individuals ≥50 years of age. Evidence indicates...
Author: Che’ Lang Caring for a child comes with many responsibilities. Being emotionally and mentally stable is essential when teaching a little human the ropes to this complex life. It requires immense amounts of patience, and the ability to stay calm...
Author: Matthew Palmieri Before I committed myself to understanding the underlining emotions characteristic of bipolar, I’d often oscillate between extreme irritability, and a kind of manic frenzy jumping from one task to another without any real consideration...
Author: Sam Bowman For adults, exercise and socialization may be difficult enough propositions on their own; but for aging adults with bipolar disorder, there are times when maintaining a regular, active schedule may seem downright impossible. Sure, it’s easy...
Author: Matthew Palmieri Many years after my initial diagnosis, a simple question popped in my head that would fundamentally change the way I look at my mental illness. I asked, “What would happen if I embraced bipolar instead of constantly looking at it as...
Author: Sam Bowman For all of us, energy is a limited resource at the best of times. We only have so much capacity to do everything we need in a day – and unfortunately, mental illness can consume most of it. With depression, even the most simple of tasks can...
Author: Birdie Thorn To understand the appeal of Hypomania/mania, you must understand the dread of depression. Bipolar depression is much more than occasional bouts of the blues. It can feel as though you are stuck in the deepest parts of your brain while your...
Author: Brooke Rowland Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs provides helpful structural guidance for the multi-faceted approach to treating Bipolar Disorder. Articulated in 1943, his theory stated that our needs can be visualized as a pyramid and that the needs at the...
Author: Matthew Palmieri For many, January is THE time to take an honest look at our habits, routines, and other frequent choices that force us to take stock of what works and doesn’t work for our physical, mental, and emotional health. However, for those of us...
Photo: Satiro Sodré/SSPress/CBDA Author: Thiago Genaro “Marcel, I have to go.” Felipe abandoned training, got out of the pool and went to the shower. His head didn’t stop. Thoughts were racing. The restless mind. Inattention harmed the...
Author: Lee Formella I am extremely lucky. On the day that I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I knew I had at least 5 calls to make, receiving nothing but empathy and support on the other end of the phone. Beyond that though, who do you tell? When do you...
Author: Sam Bowman A truly inclusive workplace can positively impact employees and companies alike in countless ways. The stressors that jobs bring to the average employee don’t have to be exacerbated by unacknowledged issues. Employees with bipolar disorder,...
Thank you to all who supported Starry Night 2023, A Star’s Secret Revealed! It was an amazing night of meaningful connection and celebration. We give special gratitude to our featured speaker and 2023 Imagine Award winner, Terri Cheney, for captivating and inspiring...
Author: Alan Monnelly Recovery is not linear. Recovery is not easy. Recovery is the only option. There are so many stages and variables in the journey of recovery from bipolar illness that it is vital for the person on this road to take it one day at a time. In...
Author: Matthew Palmieri It’s the Little Things. Big shifts in our lives can derail us from progress in managing bipolar, but it’s crucial we often look at the little things as well that may cause our symptoms to take over. Are we ignoring the need to eat food...
Author: Sam Bowman Losing a loved one and going through the grieving process is difficult for everyone. But, when you’re an individual with bipolar disorder, experiencing that loss can be even more difficult. The journey of grief can feel like it has more...
Author: Tori Bryl With bipolar disorder, every depressive episode varies in length and intensity, with a fleeting epiphany that holds the key to breaking free. This past summer, I was in a four-month depressive episode— the longest I’ve ever experienced....
Author: Sophia Queen I wanted to start by saying, this road isn’t easy. I forced myself into thinking it would be fine and I would be fine, but many times I’m not. I get glimpses of hope every once in a while but just know that the first diagnosis...
Author: Lee Formella Before I was diagnosed, my obsessions and impulsivities were an unstoppable force. I’d wake up in the morning convinced I was NOT going to gamble that night, despite the triggers of the day. I promised myself if I did drink, I would NOT...
Author: Sam Bowman The sleep-wake cycle is an important factor in overall health. The quality of sleep you are getting impacts several areas of your health, including heart function, circulation, metabolism, respiratory system, and immune system. Sleep even...
Author: Matthew Palmieri After my initial diagnosis in 2014, like many, I felt deep shame. There was this nagging and persistent feeling that bipolar had put me behind somehow. That I had done something wrong to end up here and this was going to be something...
Author: Liz Colvin Being a caregiver is a huge responsibility. My adult daughter has survived the rigorous battle of finding the right medication for schizoaffective disorder with her medical provider. However, while managing the mental illness itself, one has...
IBPF Community Answers As those living with bipolar disorder learn more about their diagnosis and settle into a routine, there are several habits they learn benefit them tremendously. These habits can look different for everyone. We wanted to learn from our community...
Author: Thiago Lopes Genaro Have you ever eaten an oyster? With lemon? Gratin? Were you afraid of food poisoning? Who first looked at this shell divided into two parts and decided to open it? I’m going to tell you a behind-the-scenes story about science. In the...
Author: Sam Bowman Experiencing a professional conflict is never enjoyable. However, it is bound to happen from time to time. A staggering 85% of people experience workplace conflict to some degree. As someone living and working with bipolar disorder, you have...
Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness is now available! “Following decades of achievement, I rocketed into full-blown mania. My boss, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gave me a choice, “…resign or be fired…and get a psychiatric...
Author: Thiago Lopes Genaro In his book Breathe – a life in flow, Rickson Gracie, one of the biggest names in Jiu Jitsu and one of those responsible for bringing the sport to the United States, narrates a curious scene from his adolescence. Rickson tells of being...
Author: Elizabeth Horner Bipolar Disorder is a tricky illness, even when we think we have it mastered. Fine-tuning our medications, ensuring consistent sleep, eating well, therapy, and balancing stability at work and in our personal lives can feel like...
Matt Palmieri One of the most challenging aspects of living with bipolar is the phase that follows an unfortunate period of heavily distorted thinking. No, I’m not the CEO anymore. Guess I can’t retire just yet.Oh well. Back to the drawing board!This can be one of the...
Dyane Harwood At the age of fifty-two, I didn’t expect I’d make one of the best decisions of my life. I began a well-formulated (i.e., carefully planned) vegan ketogenic diet specifically for bipolar disorder. I discovered this option serendipitously through a simple...
