Something I am proud of in my journey:

I knew from an early age that I was a sensitive person. My feelings would surge and crash like a stormy sea—energetic and giddy one moment, then sad and lethargic the next. During high tides, I could accomplish incredible things with lightning speed, regularly finishing weeks’ worth of work in mere days. But everything that goes up must come down.

One of my deepest ebbs came after graduating with my doctorate. I earned my Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership in 2022 while working full time—a significant achievement that should have brought satisfaction. Instead, I found myself in the worst depression I’d experienced. I had no energy and felt like I was moving through mud. Simply having a conversation exhausted me for the rest of the day. All I could manage was sitting on the couch, staring at my phone, and on particularly good days, playing video games while ignoring the world around me. When my husband gently suggested I see a psychiatrist because I wasn’t acting like myself, I took that crucial next step toward wellness.

I was diagnosed with cyclothymia in 2023. Though less discussed than Bipolar 1 or 2, cyclothymia is a bipolar spectrum disorder characterized by less severe but more frequent periods of hypomania and depression, with shorter periods of stability between episodes. I describe it like standing on a boogie board—even the slightest variance in routine, especially sleep, can cause the waves to pick up.

While I have a family history of depression, bipolar disorder was uncharted waters. Seeking peer support has been transformational, helping me realize I’m not alone and teaching me to trust the process when adjusting to medications, lifestyle changes, and riding the inevitable waves.

What I’m proudest of is how I’ve transformed my experience into purpose. I now facilitate local support group meetings for people with mood disorders and advocate with mental health nonprofits. I’ve also fused my work as a career advisor, my doctoral expertise in driving positive change, and my lived experience to create career navigation workshops specifically designed for people with mood disorders. These workshops address the unique workplace challenges we face, helping participants find fulfilling work while maintaining wellness.

No one is just their diagnosis. By speaking openly about my experiences with bipolar disorder, I hope others feel less alone in navigating this condition. We’re all learning to ride the waves together.

Message for those who are newly diagnosed:

You are a whole person—complete, valuable, and so much more than any diagnosis. Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition that will have flare-ups and periods of remission throughout your life, just like someone with a heart condition or diabetes manages their health over time. But that doesn’t mean you can’t thrive and do the things you want to do.

Some days the water may be calm, others may bring bigger swells. Having tools in your wellness toolkit helps you navigate whatever comes. For me, that’s getting some gentle movement, eating a balanced diet, being around supportive people, doing hobbies that bring me joy, and finding little things to enjoy each day. Those things make the waves that once felt overwhelming feel more manageable because I’ve learned this is simply how my particular ocean moves. With time and practice, you’ll learn how yours moves, too.

Don’t get caught up in the weight of a diagnostic label. You’re so much more than that.