What I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me During My Bipolar DiagnosisWhen I was 20 years old, I was crying often and without reason. I traveled across Europe at that age, tears blurring the sites I had always wanted to see...
Will I Ever Find the Right Bipolar Treatment?It was a Friday night the first time I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I was sitting in front of my computer screen 25 years ago and reading page after...
Routine and Bipolar DisorderConsistent daily routines are important for people with bipolar disorder. Biological processes that regulate daily body cycles (circadian rhythms) may not work well in people with bipolar disorder. Stabilizing daily...
Should You Be Open About Living With Bipolar Disorder?About 12 years ago I decided to live openly with my mental disorders – high-functioning autism (HFA) and bipolar disorder. It was the right choice for me despite the difficulties...
Grieving a DiagnosisWhen I first received a bipolar I diagnosis, I felt a wide range of emotions. My feelings were aligned with the stages of grief. Instead of grieving a loved one,...
My Plan for Hypomanic Episodes – What I Do FirstI have bipolar disorder type 2, and thus, experience hypomanic episodes, not manic episodes. Hypomanic episodes have the same symptoms as manic episodes but are not as severe. However, even...
Planning for a Mental Health CrisisWhen living with bipolar or another mental health disorder, sometimes a mental health crisis arises. A mental health crisis is no one’s fault. It is a sign that your or...
What It Feels Like When Your Doctor Doesn't Listen to YouIt seems like many doctors don't listen to their patients, and when it comes to patients with mental illness, the problem tends to be even worse. Sometimes, I've been lucky...
