Guest Post: Living with Bipolar 2 Disorder by Cathy Shaw

Having suffered with symptoms of bipolar 2 disorder for over fifteen years, my hope in making this piece for See Change is to give people some understanding of how it feels in the different phases of this complex mental health illness. From the deep despair of the manic depressive stage to the idealistic highs of …

Living with Someone Who Has Bipolar Disorder and Learning as You Go: How to Support Someone with Bipolar Disorder; Part 2

First, let me say it is not easy living with someone with bipolar disorder. Their severe depressions and highest of manic episodes can ruin relationships. Even people who love the person and have supported them for years, can eventually throw up their hands and be done. It is understandable because they have to watch out …

Teen Mental Wellness Day March 2nd: Statistics and Resources

Teen Mental Wellness Day is March 2nd. Please read or watch a video to learn more about it, statistics and resources. TikTok Video Instagram Video Tumblr video Clapper Video Twitter (X) Video

Guest Post: Interview with Merryl Hammond, PhD; Author of Mad Like Me and Navigating Bipolar Country

Interview with Merryl Hammond, PhD, Editor of Navigating Bipolar Country and author of Mad Like Me Q:      To start, could you tell us a bit about your background and work, Merryl? A:      About a hundred years ago back in South Africa where I was born, I trained as a nurse, got several post-grad nursing qualifications, …

Guest Post: Interview with Producers of Spiral- Bipolar Documentary

Who are you? Randall: I'm Randall Scott White, I was married to a wonderful woman named Michelle who fell ill over time from bipolar disorder that went undiagnosed until it was too late.  Jennifer: I'm Jennifer Hutchins, the producer. I met Randall in Austin in late 2019 and he showed me over a decade of home video …

Guest Post: Why Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder is So Tough by G. Alex Patten, MD

Since its original description over 160 years ago, Bipolar Disorder has been a tough diagnosis to make accurately. At different times called “circular insanity,” “manic depressive psychosis,” and “manic depression,” Bipolar Disorder was not officially recognized as a standalone mental illness until 1980. Now we know that Bipolar Disorder is actually a group of four …

Guest Post: Can I Stop Myself from Slipping into the Bipolar Abyss? by Jess Kanotz

Look past the woman with unwashed hair who is wearing a security blanket of a sweater and notice that she made the bed. I'd call that hope. I can feel myself slipping into an abyss. I could be sliding into depression or a mixed state if I can’t stop it from happening. Just so we’re …

Guest Post: 7 Common Myths About Bipolar Disorder: Busted by Nidhi Thakur

Today every one in five people is diagnosed with a mental illness, including bipolar disorder. For those who still don't know, bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that's thought to be caused by an imbalance in the way brain cells communicate with each other.  This imbalance causes extreme mood swings that go way beyond …

Guest Post: What Euphoria Feels Like by @that_bipolar.girl

“Euphoria is the experience (or affect) of pleasure or excitement and intense feelings of wellbeing and happiness. Euphoric mania often releases a surge of super human energy that creates a feeling of invincibility.” - Wikipedia  I think I could write a whole book and tell about every experience I’ve had, but I could never explain how …

Guest Post: To My Bipolar Disorder by @bipolarthriveguide

I can write to you because you are not me You have undoubtedly made your presence known in my life, but you do not define me Through the years as I have journeyed with you, I (and my loved ones) have travailed through many struggles and slippery slopes, many tides, textures and tones pervade I …

Guest Post: Bipolar Disorder and Me by Lou Farrell

It has taken a long time for me to come to terms with my diagnosis of bipolar disorder. It was back in 2002, after the birth of my son, that things became a little strange, shall we say. Before 2002 I had been in and out of the hospital with depression; there was the idea …

Guest Post: Outside Looking In: A Story Told by The Husband of Someone with Bipolar Disorder by Johnny Whitfield

Johnny Whitfield is a former newspaper reporter and editor. For those struggling with a mental health diagnosis, the most important people in their lives are often their caregivers – the people who make sure they take their medicines, get to doctor’s appointments, and help them deal with the basic necessities of life. The responsibilities of …

Guest Post: Bipolar Is Not An Insult, It’s A Medical Condition by Anonymous

Language matters. We hear people refer to the weather as bipolar.  We hear people call their toddler’s tantrums bipolar. We hear people joke that their unreliable cars are bipolar. I get it, no one is perfect, and I highly doubt the people using that language are trying to be hurtful. Unfortunately, what I hear most …

Guest Post: Bipolar Disorder Facts and Statistics by Recovery Village

Previously known as manic depression, bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder that causes severe mood swings. Individuals living with this condition often alternate between mania (a euphoric, energized mood) and depression. These mood shifts occur throughout several weeks or months. Prevalence of Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder affects about 2.8 percent of people living in the United States. Worldwide, …

Guest Post: 6 Tips On How To Manage Bipolar Disorder In Your Life by Stan Popovich

It can be very challenging in dealing with bipolar disorder. Being bipolar can cause changes in your mood, energy levels, concentration, and your day-to-day activities. As a result, here are six tips on how to effectively deal with bipolar disorder in your life. 1. Learn about your situation: It is important to learn as much as …

Guest Post: Interview with the Author of Unglued: A Bipolar Love Story

Jeffrey Zuckerman is the author of Unglued: A Bipolar Love Story Description of Book from Amazon: Jeffrey Zuckerman's harrowing five-year ride began months before his wife Leah was diagnosed with late-onset bipolar disorder. After thirty years of marriage, Jeff, a semi-retired editor and a second-string catcher on a recreational softball team, nearly became unglued himself …

Things Not to Say to Someone with Bipolar Disorder

When someone tells you they have bipolar disorder, there are things you can say that are helpful and some that are not. Below are the things that are not: Video We all have our ups and downs.We are all a little bipolar.I know how you feelYou're acting crazyYou're acting like a psychoDid you take your …

Ways to Find Balance in Your Life Re: Mental Health

Note: This can help anyone when it comes to mental health. When you have bipolar disorder it is really important to find balance in your life. Below are some things you can do to achieve that balance. Say no. Helping others is something most people want to do. However, don't do it when it costs …

Guest Post: Mania-Going 120 in my Honda Accord by Bipolar Inferno (Chris G)

I am manic, I am energized and I am hyper focused. I am going 120 on the highway with no idea of how dangerous it was. I am confused and I have this dopamine buzz. Neurotransmitters flooding the receptors. Looking out where I was glazed eyes in a trance delusions flowing like water throughout my …

Advice to Loved one of Someone who is Mentally Ill

The most important thing to do is to take care of yourself first. You won't be able to help them if you get overwhelmed to the point of getting sick. Part of this is to set boundaries with your loved one. Make sure they know your boundaries and have them agree to them beforehand. If …