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: 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 …

Getting Through Life with Bipolar Disorder Takes a Champion!

Having bipolar disorder is not easy. The lows are sometimes unbearable and the highs wear me out. The depressions have made it hard to function and it takes all my strength to get through the day sometimes. The manic episodes are awful and have lead to damaging things. For example, I have lost relationships, spent …

Guest Post: Could a LCHF, animal-based diet be an effective treatment for Bipolar Disorder? by Author Michelle Hurn

Written By: Michelle Hurn Registered Dietitian, Ultra Runner, and Author of The Dietitian’s Dilemma Bipolar disorder is of particular interest to me because my mother suffered from undiagnosed bipolar disorder for much of her life. As a child and adolescent, I watched her oscillate between bouts of mania followed by extended periods of crippling depression. …

Beware of Hypomania

Although mania might be a feeling that some people with bipolar disorder might seek, it can be dangerous. People in a manic state often do things they regret. They take risks they normally wouldn't take or spend money they do not have. Hypomania symptoms are signs that come before mania. If you recognize these signs, …

Bipolar Bandit’s Heartfelt Letter to Her Dad

This is a picture of my dad and mom, my biggest advocate who lost her battle with cancer. She wrote several blogs on Bipolar Bandit that can be found by searching for "writings" If you are having a hard time right now and don't have the strong support system i have, please know there are …

Guest Post: Bipolar Disorder: Coming Through the Fog of the Himalayans by Simon C

The highs and the lows.I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in October 2018 aged 37, following a manic high unlike any other I'd experienced before. My depression occurred much earlier in my life aged 21 while I was studying at University. If you'll indulge me, I'll tell you about both experiences, taking them in chronological …

Guest Post: Mania: The Noise inside my Head by Deb W

After recently re-reading An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison, I was shocked to remember how intense bipolar mania was.  It was a nearly constant companion for decades.  My memories of it seemed to have slipped away, but they could not possibly be gone.  I had to have put them aside in one of the convenient little boxes I use for …

Being Quarantined as Someone Who Has Bipolar Disorder

For most, being quarantined, it is an awful thing and people can't wait to get back to their "normal" lives. For me, life is not that much different. Because of my depression, I stay at home and only leave the house once a week to get groceries.  I self-isolate and only have a few friends …

The Worst Things About Having Bipolar Disorder

Beware:  This is a rather bleak blog, but felt that the reality needed to be spoken. Overall, I would have to say the worst thing about it is feeling isolated and losing friends.  I am blessed with a husband and family who supports me, but I know many people are not so lucky.  I was …

Am I Responsible For What I Do While Manic and What Can I Do About It?

I do everything I can to not get manic, but sometimes it creeps in.  Those who love me know that and I am lucky as that is better than most people have. Yes- I am responsible for the things I do while manic, but people who know me and that I have this illness understand …

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder I

  Bipolar disorder I has extreme highs (mania) and extreme lows (depression) MANIA delusions of grandeur risky behavior talking rapidly talking non-stop,  talking about unrealistic things  feeling that you are unstoppable, oftentimes irritability need to sleep less racing thoughts can't concentrate change in appetite increase in activity sometimes hallucinations reckless behaviour hypersexuality more creative unusual …

Guest Post: A Bipolar Diagnosis is Not a Death Sentence by Carrie Cantwell

I can’t believe I ever wanted to die. But then again, things right now are really good. Sometimes it’s hard to remember what it felt like to be so hopeless I was willing to end my own life. But that’s why the saying “suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem” makes so much …

How to Avoid Doing Things in a Manic State That you will Regret Later

While in a manic state, especially if you are coming out of a deep depression, it is easy to use your manic energy to get a lot of things done that you couldn't do while in the bout of depression you just came out of. Like I said, it is easy to do a lot …

Guest Post: 9 Myths about Bipolar Disorder by Kristy

Every time someone casually says something like “Oh I’m so bipolar today” I cringe a little inside. Not because I’m offended, but because I know that so many people have no idea about the reality of bipolar disorder. Here is a list of some of the most common myths I’ve heard. Myths About Bipolar Disorder …

Using Mania: Don’t Freak Out

I am learning  to not freak out when I am manic or hypomanic.  I need to take on the responsibility myself and can't rely on doctors, medications, and the hospitals. I am not saying to I don't see doctors, take meds, or sometimes end up in hospitals.  I am just saying they don't always work. …

Is Bipolar Disorder for Everyone?

I have two main points to make. The first one is the one that aggravates me and I will tell you that sometimes it upsets people when I talk about it.  I think bipolar disorder is way over diagnosed and glamorized.   When I hear people have bipolar disorder and they once in awhile experience …

I have Bipolar Disorder: Am I a Failure?

It is easy to think of yourself as a failure when you are extremely depressed. You get into a slump where you think you are nothing, but your illness. You live secluded from the rest of the world and dig yourself deeper into a hole where you feel worthless and unworthy of happiness. Because of …

Beware I am Manic: Proceed with Action Plan

As part of my action plan, I always let the people who care about me know that I am seeing red flags and am concerned that I am getting manic.  This way they can be on the lookout and know that I know that I am in trouble. Letting others know is important, but that …

What Happens after you have been Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder

For some people, it is a relief when they find out that there is a name for something they have been enduring sometimes for years.  Unfortunately, due to the stigma attached to mental illness, some people feel ashamed or don’t want to face the fact that they are “crazy”. The diagnosis for bipolar disorder 1 …