Something I am Proud Of:

I’m very proud of how far I’ve come the past year. I’m staying out of the hospital, spending time with friends and WORKING at a job I love (I’m a direct support professional for individuals with disabilities). Meeting these goals hasn’t come easy but with a lot of hard work I have been maintaining a fairly stable mood for a few months! With meds, therapy, and routine I’ve been getting far. Finally getting my meds right was key for me. I know I’m not always going to be stable because bipolar is not predictable but right now I’m enjoying it!

Advice for Newly Diagnosed:

Hearing the words, “You have Bipolar.” for the first time can be pretty scary. Take a deep breath and know that you’re not alone. There is a whole community of people out here with Bipolar who can encourage you along the way. It may help to create a routine that includes regular sleeping, eating and getting out of the house. It may feel like your whole world is crumbling but please keep going because pretty soon it will feel more possible.