Before my diagnosis, I was an overachiever, who spent many years as a people pleaser. I was bad at setting boundaries and often spread myself too thin. I never considered my mental health as something that I should prioritize until I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 at the beginning of 2023. That was the hardest, but also the most transformative year of my life. I was hospitalized for severe manic symptoms and psychosis.

While managing my Bipolar Disorder, I learned to prioritize sleep, I implemented exercise and yoga to help with my excess energy and stabilize my mood, and recently, I have started seeing a therapist to further assist me in managing my overall condition. I learned that establishing these habits allowed me to form a very consistent routine, which overall helped me manage my symptoms tremendously.

The biggest insight I gained throughout this experience is that the mind is THE most powerful vessel in our body. We truly can do anything we set our mind to, and what we think, we ultimately become. I found that the more I stayed positive about growing through this experience, the more I was able to heal at an exponential pace. I also learned that relying heavily on God and my spiritual practices to help me find healing and balance was a huge strength as well.

I was blessed in my journey to have an amazing support system who I am forever grateful and Indebted to for my overall success. I I was able to hone in and take a good 6 months to heal and recover at my own pace, which I know others are not always fortunate enough to have. It’s been over a year since my diagnosis, and I haven’t had a severe manic episode or any depressive symptoms. I have been able to hold a job for over a year as well.

I’ve made so many new and supportive friends along the way who truly care for me. My relationships with my siblings and parents have also improved, and we are closer than we’ve ever been.

I feel like there is a huge stigma on Bipolar disorder, According to my therapist, the severity of my case was due to many outside and extenuating circumstances, which ultimately led me to being diagnosed with Bipolar 1. Usually what leads medical professionals to this particular diagnosis is based on the severity of symptoms when they first onset. Believe me, in the first 6 months I spent a lot of time in denial, but I have learned to accept my diagnosis for what it is.

It was difficult at times to listen to the doctors about treatment, which is never a good decision. This ultimately led me to another stint in the hospital to further manage my condition. So please listen to the medical professionals because they are doing they’re best to help you. However, you should always advocate for yourself and be honest about how you’re feeling throughout your journey whether it’s the beginning or ongoing!

Everyone’s case is unique and treatment is dependent on each individual. I want anyone who is struggling to know that you are not alone and managing this illness IS possible and can be done safely and on your own terms. God always gives us what we need, not always what we want. Sometimes we are placed in these uncertain and uncomfortable positions because growth and change is needed in our lives.

I do my best to embody that in my daily life. The process of recovery can be scary and is never linear, but oftentimes when you come out of the other side you have more wisdom and understanding of yourself than ever before, and to me that makes all of the hardship worthwhile.