Celebrating Lisa’s Strength 💪 What am I most proud of on my bipolar journey? I’m a survivor. Right now, in this moment of time and place, I am stable. I am a productive member of society. I take my meds and attend group and individual therapy sessions. I...
Celebrating Paul’s Strength 💪 My name is Paul English. I studied computer science and music in college and then went on in a career of entrepreneurship. I have started and sold six companies to date (including Kayak.com) and have also started five...
Celebrating Tom’s Strength 💪 When I experienced my first manic episode, I didn’t see it coming. I don’t think many people do. I had been dealing with a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder since I was a teenager and had never even considered I might be...
We are grateful to all for celebrating with us on this World Bipolar Day! Your shared lived experiences and comments and shares on our social channels throughout the day help spread awareness, reduce stigma, and showcase the strength of our global community. 🌍 Below,...
Celebrating Subrina’s Strength 💪 10/26/2006. A date I will never forget. The date that didn’t solve my problems. Just a date to reveal the truth, The beginning of my bipolar journey. Up. Down. Black. White. Courageous, yet terrified. Determined,...
Celebrating Charles’s Strength💪 What makes me most proud of my journey is learning to live a happy and fulfilling life despite the many challenges of bipolar disorder. Over time, I have discovered that celebrating small victories, such as going to work, taking...
Celebrating TK’s Strength 💪 I was almost finished with graduate school when I was struck down with a bipolar 2 depression and was unable to complete my degree. I felt for so long that I had failed. I defined myself as a failure. Then, just the other day,...
Celebrating Chivo Cycle’s Strength 💪 Chivo Cycle isn’t just a studio; it’s a testament to the power of resilience and the transformative impact of fitness. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder since 2009, I discovered the incredible benefits of...
Author: Matthew Palmieri Managing a mood disorder while maintaining a steady job often feels like a balancing act. There have been times when I felt I had been stable for a significant period, only to suddenly face a manic episode. These episodes can cause me...
Author: Melissa Howard As daylight savings time (DST) has arrived, the time shift plays a significant role for those of us who live with bipolar disorder (BD). For me, a solid and consistent routine, combined with positive lifestyle management, has contributed...
Author: Charles Kelly Before my manic episode, I was completely unaware of how I came off to others. My ego controlled every part of my life. If something did not go my way, I would defend my position, even when I knew I was wrong. Classmates, coworkers, and...
Author: Che’ Lang When I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I thought it was safe to assume there were only two sides of this medical condition that I would have to manage; mania and depression. Hypomania was also commonly depicted by my psychiatrist,...
Author: Charles Kelly My realization didn’t come all at once; it wasn’t marked by a single, defining day. Instead, it arrived in waves, each one gently reminding me how far I had come in my journey toward mental health. These moments of clarity weren’t random;...
Author: Jamie Hopkins Change is inevitable. Whether it be starting a new job, moving to a new city, joining a new sports team, or developing a new support system, the uncomfortable is going to set in. For many people in their early 20s, all those uncomfortable...
Author: Mihali Mqushulu What does it mean to possess something that is partly unaccepted by a society? Holding with you, the one thing that induces cold glances from strangers and familiars. Are you an outcast, a non-contender? No. You probably just have a...
Author: Ivory Smith In these times of transition, we now have so many types of bullying. All of us have heard of the school yard bully that fought, shoved, and made jokes at others. Generations ago, there were fights on the bus and the school yard rooting for...
Author: Matthew Palmieri Living with bipolar disorder often feels like walking a tight rope. Always on alert that an episode is pending, I am constantly vigilant to any shift in routine or sleep that may disrupt the balance I’ve achieved since fully accepting...
Author: Melissa Howard For someone who has lived with mental illness for the better part of her life, there have been many opportunities for the people closest to me to show support, which in turn, allowed me to experience their love and acceptance. These...
Author: Conrad Garrison There was no doubt in my mind that I had discovered the key to the universe: we are all connected, there is a oneness, and that is all that matters. It was the enlightenment spiritual leaders speak of—a higher state of being, the lifting...
Author: Jamie Hopkins Just a few months after receiving my initial bipolar I diagnosis at the age of 18, I packed my bags and moved from my hometown to begin my post-secondary career as a collegiate soccer player. I had no idea the challenges I would encounter...
Author: Lisa Rabey When I was throwing around ideas for this month’s column, the concept of being friends with someone who has bipolar came up as a great idea. One of my very best friends has bipolar and we are close because we understand each other. We know...
Author: Lexie Manion I was diagnosed with bulimia as a teenager, a decade before my bipolar disorder was finally brought to light and diagnosed. Looking back, I clearly see the early workings of bipolar disorder in my bloodstream through my manic and depressive...
Author: Melissa Howard This post discusses sensitive topics, including sexual assault and suicidal ideations. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is experiencing distress, please seek support from a mental health professional or a trusted...
Author: Sam Bowman The colder, darker months can take a toll on anyone physically, emotionally, and mentally. However, for individuals with bipolar disorder, the months leading up to spring can be especially difficult because of seasonal depression. Seasonal...
Author: Charles Kelly “Sometimes when it feels like being in a dark place means getting buried, it may actually mean being planted”- Unknown During those bleakest days, the deepest self-discoveries emerged—especially when mania escalated. Accepting help...
Author: Lisa Rabey Every December it would be the same: I would sit down and draw up a list of resolutions for the upcoming year. The list would be long, highly detailed, and frankly impossible to execute. Most may write, “exercise two or three times a week.”...
Author: Matthew Palmieri Having written on the topic of New Year’s Resolutions this time last year, I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect once again on the progress I’ve made since accepting bipolar illness. Re-reading the original post, I see a lot of...
Author: Greg Rennie To disclose or not to disclose, that was my question. A few months ago, for the first time in 27 years, I publicly disclosed I live with bipolar disorder in an article for a business magazine. I held my breath and took the risk as a...
Author: Charles Kelly Living with bipolar disorder has been a journey of challenges, revelations, and profound personal growth. After my initial manic episode, I struggled to trust myself; every emotion felt like a potential warning sign. Over time, I realized...
Author: Subrina Singh Let’s talk about it: trust. One of the most overused words, with meaning deeper than we can begin to understand. Trust. A word encompassing multiple feelings and a word full of such depth but still causes great confusion. When we are...
Author: Sam Bowman The constant buzz of notifications and the allure of social media can be overwhelming — especially for those living with bipolar disorder. While digital devices provide a convenient way to stay connected and informed, excessive screen time...
Author: Melissa Howard A brief explanation of how the International Bipolar Foundation explains psychosis. In periods of psychosis a person may show signs of being out of touch with reality, and may say, hear, see, or believe things that don’t match reality. I...
Author: Mallory Beckwith, LPC Sober living was a transition period for me. I was there for a total of nine months. I was staying sober from drugs and alcohol, going to IOP, and yet I still had not been formally diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Sobriety was the...
Author: Claire Gault With an oft-labeled useless bachelors in English Literature, panic set in after college. I spent cumulative days on Indeed, scrolling through postings for receptionists and call center operators and teachers—I was overqualified for much of...
Author: Charles Kelly Life with bipolar disorder has been filled with highs and lows, and even when I’d managed my symptoms, I found myself facing a deeper struggle—a lingering distrust of the stable version of myself. The manic episodes had cast shadows,...
Author: Matthew Palmieri In managing bipolar, I’ve learned that music is a crucial part of my ongoing recovery. When I discover new music, it gives me hope for the future, helping me avoid rumination from memories past. There are, however, songs that I can go back to...
Author: Melissa Howard There are many aspects to my daily life that I can attribute my many years of stability to. The skills I have acquired did not happen overnight, it has taken me over two decades to discover and implement a care plan that was realistic and...
Author: Gregg F. Martin, PhD Ten years ago, I received a call on a Friday afternoon from my 4-star boss’s aide. He said, “The Chairman [of the Joint Chiefs of Staff] wants to see you on Monday morning at 1000 hours in his office at the Pentagon. I was a 58-year...
Author: Thiago Genaro I like to use metaphors with my patients. I think it helps translate some of the raw technical medical knowledge and helps draw parallels. I love it when my ophthalmologist explains the prescription of my glasses to me through comparisons...
Author: Ivory Smith Causey On a clear midnight sky there are stars twinkling and the moon shines bright in the vast expanse. It is dark but not black. However, in a severe depressive episode, unlike the midnight sky, there are no stars or no moon. There is only...
Author: Lisa Rabey At the suggestion of my current therapist, I decided to try group therapy. His suggestion was based that while I saw him once a month for check-ins, a regular meeting with my peers could be helpful if I was not in crisis. His reasoning is by...
Author: Shirley A. Solanka The ancient words of consolation and reassurance echo, whether from Sunday school or portrayals of graveside services on TV: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” These words are from the Twenty-Third Psalm, the most well-known of a...
Author: Matthew Palmieri Living with bipolar can feel isolating, especially during severe depressive episodes. Connecting with others during these periods, particularly online, has been a game-changer. Understanding I’m not alone, while having a safe space to...
Author: Lexie Manion A couple months ago, my entire life changed. I left my life as I knew it behind and started my new chapter pursuing my Master’s in Art Therapy. This career path has been my dream since I was a teenager. In my early eating disorder and...
Author: Sam Bowman For people with bipolar disorder, attending large-scale events can seem overwhelming. However, bypassing large gatherings like conferences or trade shows means missing out on opportunities. Instead of avoiding these events, protect yourself...
Author: Mallory Beckwith, LPC Can two individuals with bipolar disorder have a healthy relationship and make it work? The answer to this question is yes. But it may take extra time, effort, forgiveness, compassion and even counseling. Take my husband and I for...
Author: Charles Kelly Upon starting college, I first needed a way to quiet my mind. This meant taking days off and being kind to myself by investing time into going to the golf range, learning the piano, and even participating in groups I didn’t like...
Mental Illness Awareness Week Millions of people worldwide are affected by mental illness, impacting not only those who experience them but also their families, friends, and coworkers. During the first week of October, Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) emphasizes...
Author: Melissa Howard Raising children is accompanied by an abundance of emotions. Anywhere from excitement, love and joy, to the less talked about, sadness, exhaustion and loneliness. Parenting does not come without its challenges. From conception or...
Author: Thiago Genaro There is no storm outside. The marriage is at a cool stage. The children are doing well at school. The Labrador puppy brings joy to the house. At work, you were recently promoted. The company’s environment is healthy, constructive...
