Bipolar Disorder Success Stories

• ARTICLE

While hospitalized, Terese Marie Mailhot began writing her bestseller, Heart Berries: A Memoir, that explores life as an Indigenous Canadian woman with bipolar disorder.   While hospitalized with a diagnosis of bipolar II, Terese Marie Mailhot began writing Heart Berries: A Memoir, which became a New York Times Bestseller. A series of essays, the book...

• ARTICLE

University fundraiser, David, spent four years finding workable medications for his bipolar I disorder, slowly added in self-care, and later entered psychotherapy.   There was a time when going on permanent disability seemed inevitable for David C. . He’d been hospitalized three times in four years for episodes of mania and bipolar depression. Recurring mood...

• BLOG

Managing bipolar takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but the positive effects in your life can certainly make it worth it.   Bipolar disorder is a genetic illness that affects a person’s ability to self regulate the mood. I’ve lived with the illness for …can you believe it… almost 40 years. Yikes! The...

• ARTICLE

As beautifully told in his book Gorilla and the Bird, former attorney Zack McDermott relied on his mother’s unconditional support while winning his way back to stability.   At the time, it all made perfect sense to Zack McDermott. After stepping outside his apartment one October afternoon in 2009, he immediately knew that cameras were...

• ARTICLE

After Kelley Thorpe Baker accepted her bipolar I diagnosis and made positive lifestyle changes, she became a successful life coach and a mental health activist. By Denise Mann   If only Kelley Thorpe Baker had access to the tools and resources that she has created for others when she was first diagnosed with bipolar I...

• VIDEO

While it can be easy to get caught up in all of the challenges that come with bipolar, overcoming them teaches perseverance.   I really want to just share some of the good things that have happened with my bipolar and some of the bad things, and to really get to the point that bipolar...

• ARTICLE

What do members of the ‘thrive tribe’—those with Bipolar who maintain healthy, fulfilling lifestyles—have in common? By Melody Moezzi   In an effort to combat the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health conditions, I’ve been writing and speaking publicly about my experiences with bipolar disorder for nearly a decade. In that time, I have encountered...

• ARTICLE

The retired WWE star, formerly known as AJ Lee, is fighting in a brand new arena: She is telling her story to take down stigma.   Growing up to be a professional wrestler isn’t every little girl’s dream, but it was for A.J. Mendez Brooks. The former WWE star was once a scrawny, awkward kid,...

• ARTICLE

Strict scheduling helps the founder of The Stability Network juggle motherhood and running two nonprofits while managing her bipolar disorder, including psychotic episodes.   Business executive Katherine Switz was diagnosed with bipolar I while earning her MBA at Harvard Business School. After nearly 20 years in international development and consulting, she founded and runs The...

• ARTICLE

Miguel hit rock-bottom two years after his bipolar diagnosis. Now he’s graduating from an Ivy League college. Acceptance was the first important step.   Early in my treatment for bipolar disorder, I had a doctor who urged me to accept my “disability” and pursue more “realistic” career options—ones that did not involve returning to the...

• ARTICLE

Katie Dale’s journey into adulthood   By Jennifer Goforth Gregory   As activity director at a senior residential facility, Katie Dale spends her day interacting with people struggling with dementia. When one of the residents was worried that her husband was stuck at home alone, Dale patiently promised to check on his well-being—although she knew...

• ARTICLE

Getting a bipolar II diagnosis was a catalyst for social justice lawyer Lauren Burke to start addressing her own emotional pain and self-harming. By Michelle Roberts   At 33, Lauren Burke has an eye-popping list of achievements. That’s due to an almost obsessive drive to help those less fortunate than herself—the product of a deep empathy...

• ARTICLE

Ronald Braunstein uses his experience with bipolar disorder to help other musicians with brain-based disorders find a safe place to create music with his Me2/Orchestra. By Robin Flanigan   Maestro Ronald Braunstein’s amazing splash on the international music stage at a mere 23 years old was a sign of things to come—in more ways than...

• ARTICLE

Diagnosed with bipolar at 22, Logan propelled himself from the pit of discouragement to prepping for medical school. By Michelle Roberts   “Hey guys! I just wanted to let you know that I have bipolar disorder.” Those simple words, spoken into a home video camera and posted to YouTube, cemented Logan Noone’s transformation from isolated...

• BLOG

I have lived with mental illness my entire life. Of course, at five years old I didn’t know I had any disorders, I just knew that I had to have my room in order, with my toys arranged just so…or something bad would happen. As I got older, the rituals became more pronounced, more uncomfortable,...

• BLOG

I have heard countless inspirational stories of people dealing with bipolar disorder who have attempted suicide, battled through drug and alcohol misuse, survived psychotic breakdowns, have pushed through endless depressive episodes and many who have persevered past their struggles despite the obstacles that have gotten in their way. I recognize these immense achievements and I...

• BLOG

By: Gabe Howard Living with bipolar disorder creates a lot of weird experiences. I’ve been manic, depressed, hypersexual, and everything in between. I’ve blacked out and freaked out more times than I can recall. It’s not a nice illness, as many people will attest, and when I talk about my life with others, there is...

• BLOG

I know it can be extremely difficult to be open about having bipolar disorder, or any mental health condition, but I strongly feel that it is imperative to speak up about our lived experiences of having a mental illness. I remained silent for over seven years and concealed having bipolar disorder in fear of being...

• ARTICLE

For Jennifer Marshall—wife, mother, and creator of  ‘This Is My Brave’—a bipolar diagnosis led to a more satisfying life and redefining what really matters. By Lori Hile   Jennifer used to define success in terms of her high-powered recruiting job for one of the top creative staffing agencies in the Washington, D.C., area. She was...

• BLOG

On June 1st I finally began to get “unstuck” with my weight. It has taken me far too long to get to the point of making the decision that enough was enough. Since June 1st I’ve lost 40 pounds. I have many more to go. But, I’m on my way. I hated being “stuck”. Plus,...