Living with Bipolar Disorder

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Having insight into your health conditions, prioritizing sleep, and maintaining a responsible relationship with substances is always smart—even more so if you have bipolar. I received two rejections yesterday, one of which forced me to click on four links and enter a password before I could access my “regret-to-inform-you” letter. I consider it a sign...

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To reach sustained mood stability, I’ve had to make significant sacrifices in my life. Now, as I step up as an advocate, I’m facing hard questions: Was it worth it? Advocacy & Answers to Hard Questions about Bipolar Since I came out of the closet, so to speak, about my very private life, specifically about...

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Witnessing students now grappling with disruptions to their education brought to mind the delays and self-perceived “failures” I endured in college because of my developing bipolar. Now I see how those unexpected bumps in the road helped shape who I am. Disruptions in Education, from Crises or Bipolar Disorder This year, students of every grade...

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Wisdom often comes from unexpected places. And, as a mom of three, I’ve found one of the most surprising sources for tips on living with bipolar: children’s TV shows and movies. As a mom of three little ones, I hear my share of kids’ shows and movies. And, in case you didn’t know, this can...

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According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–V), bipolar disorder is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy, and behavior. It is also known as manic depression because a person’s mood can alternate between the “poles”—mania (highs) and depression (lows). The change in mood can last for hours, days,...

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Often overlooked as part of an effective treatment plan for bipolar disorder, rest is one of the most important tools we can use to maintain our well-being. What Is Rest? Nighttime: Sleep I believe we can rest during both sleep and wake times. Sleep is what comes to mind as an obvious source of rest....

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Stability was a welcome relief after years of manic and depressive episodes. But I missed the euphoria of hypomania, so I had to find safer ways for that adrenaline buzz. The “High” of Hypomania The state of hypomania is alluring, so much so that it’s a common reason we go off of our medication. Everything...

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I’ve made a big change in my life: I’m going to do what makes me happy. No matter my bipolar, others’ expectations, or even my own expectations. Joy and fulfillment don’t just happen—they are choices. Tonight, I’m kind of busy. But not as busy as I “should” be. It’s two days before a big family...

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Mainstream platitudes don’t always apply—especially for those of us with bipolar. Here are the problems I see with well-known, well-meaning words of wisdom. (And some bipolar-friendly alternatives!) #1 “Just Be Yourself.”* *Unfortunately, if you have bipolar disorder, you may not always be in control of which self you are. I don’t know about you, but...

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Managing my mood disorder is a lot like caring for the planet—here are my best “climate control” practices for stabilizing energy and well-being. Almost everyone is engaged in some form of caring for our planet these days: recycling, biking to work, and/or conserving resources are common efforts. Just like many of us do our part...

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Amplified by bipolar, middle age, I’ve found, has been quite the white-knuckle roller-coaster ride! I feel like I’m starting from behind—but can bipolar leave us better equipped to shine? Middle-Age Puberty? I whined to my mom about how difficult middle age seems to be: the angst; never-ending worry; deep regrets; fears for the future; my...

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Once I learned how bipolar affects temperaments and behavior, I started realizing that maybe I wasn’t simply an energetic, motivated extrovert. Maybe I’d been hypomanic for much of my life. “Just be yourself…” “Be yourself.” That’s a universal piece of advice. Whether you’re applying for a job or going on a first date, it’s something...

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Managing moods can seem unexciting, especially since mania can put us in silly situations! Here is one of my mania-induced funny moments—and how I worked through it. Is Managing Mania Boring? I know I can seem all doom-and-gloom! You must manage your mania! etc. I still believe this, but it doesn’t mean that my mania...

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Everyone says that acceptance is key to stability, but what does that mean? With much reflection, I realize that accepting my bipolar is not about approval or resignation. It’s more about recognition. “Acceptance is the answer to ALL my problems today…. Unless I accept my life completely on life’s terms, I cannot be happy. I...

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Best advice my therapist gave me was to practice self-soothing. So I use “Hygge”—the Norwegian term for a mood of coziness—to care for my mind, body, and soul. Every winter, like clockwork, I struggle with depression. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve gotten from a therapist is to practice “self-soothing,” which can do...

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How are we supposed to feel when others make bipolar disorder the butt of a joke? “The Bipolar” There I was, in the bakery on a lovely Saturday morning, perusing the case of freshly made donuts and the hilarious names that they had been given. I saw one called “Cereal Killer,” which is a donut...

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Whether depression has made it hard to brush your teeth, your meds cause dry mouth, or you clench and grind from stress, bipolar disorder can do a number on your teeth! Here’s how to start caring for those pearly whites. I am so looking forward to my eighth root canal. That is not a typo....

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When faced with disappointment, my brain never gives me the luxury of deciding how I feel and how I want to react. Nope. It just experiences it and immediately starts doing bipolar flips and twists in a way I find very hard to control. Here I share two related stories about disappointment that led to...

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What to pack? Preparing for a trip is always a conundrum, but especially when you want to explore the world without triggering a mood episode. Here are my tried-and-true tips to stay stable, no matter your destination! When Travel Is Your Passion The main reason I work and earn money (other than to pay bills)...

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Managing bipolar felt like fumbling to unlock a door with dozens of keys that didn’t fit. Not one strategy gave me all the answers. Then I created my own keys, my own wellness “hacks.” Finally … it just clicked. On this long, ongoing journey of learning how to understand my particular version of bipolar II...