Something I’m proud of is beating the negative stereotypes of taking medication for a mental illness and being diagnosed. My family is considered headstrong so mental health was brushed aside sometimes. Leading up to my diagnosis I had 3 hospitalizations and it was third one that finally made me realize that I had to start advocating for myself. Because of my bad experiences on medications my family was hesitant to encourage me to take more or try alternatives. And because the first medication I tried impaired my communication skills I was also scared to find a medicine that worked for me. I went 4 months without having medication and due to a misdiagnosis of OCD I had no idea what was wrong with my body. Because there were such high expectations for my healing journey, there were times I knew I needed to be hospitalized again but did not speak up for myself. I felt shame in admitting I was struggling again because to me that signified failure. I went into psychosis again this fall and finally knew that was my breaking point and got help. Although there was push back from my family I knew that it was the right decision for me. While in the hospital I was able to reflect on steps I needed to take to fully care for myself and finally got started on a medication that worked for me. Despite trial and error I learned it is always best to listen to what your body is telling you and don’t be scared to keep trying new things to improve my mental health. Even if you have push back from stereotypes and face criticism in your choices, it is always best to make the decision that will improve your overall well-being. And if you are someone who deals with psychotic features in Bipolar disorder know that you are not crazy and realizing it is not your fault is such a healing decision to make.

For those that are newly diagnosed I would encourage you to keep advocating for yourself. Don’t be afraid to set boundaries when there are days that you feel overwhelmed and speak up. If you come from a family that is not well educated in mental health continue seeking out supportive communities that will encourage you and provide resources. Don’t give up on finding what works best for your body because everybody is different and what works for one person may not work for you. Keep participating in things that make you feel good and remember to speak kind words over yourself. Be transparent with yourself about your experiences and don’t avoid asking for help when you need it.