Read on Twitter
What is it like to live with a bipolar brain?
I thought it might be interesting for my family, friends and followers if I tried to document what itâs like inside my mind at the moment. I hope this helps people understand.
I am currently on the upswing part of my bipolar cycle.
I thought it might be interesting for my family, friends and followers if I tried to document what itâs like inside my mind at the moment. I hope this helps people understand.
I am currently on the upswing part of my bipolar cycle.
The best way I can describe it is to imagine drink a red bull every 15 minutes. Imagine doing that all day.
Imagine doing that for months.
I have Bipolar 2. That means I have elevated moods (hypomania) and low times (depression) but I have never been stratospheric or suicidal.
Imagine doing that for months.
I have Bipolar 2. That means I have elevated moods (hypomania) and low times (depression) but I have never been stratospheric or suicidal.
Right now I am in a phase of high energy which can be bordering on hypomania at times.
I feel like I could achieve almost anything I set my mind to.
Even better, I feel like almost anyone I am around could achieve what they set their mind to.
That is a blessing and a curse.
I feel like I could achieve almost anything I set my mind to.
Even better, I feel like almost anyone I am around could achieve what they set their mind to.
That is a blessing and a curse.
The truth is obviously much more nuanced. With things I am experienced in, like kitesurfing, I can push my limits to the outer extremes. The confidence is hugely beneficial.
With things where I am a total newbie, like trading crypto, I should be stopped at all costs.
With things where I am a total newbie, like trading crypto, I should be stopped at all costs.
My brain makes me think I could do it but the reality is I cannot.
I used to think I did my best design work during the high times.
It turns out I do not.
Great design requires empathy for the people who will use your product. That vanishes when I am hypomanic.
I used to think I did my best design work during the high times.
It turns out I do not.
Great design requires empathy for the people who will use your product. That vanishes when I am hypomanic.
The tricky part about bipolar is that people have a lot of understanding of the depression and almost no idea what the mania can be like.
When someone is low, we feel sorry for them.
When someone is manic, they can be utterly insufferable. The oversized ego is on full show.
When someone is low, we feel sorry for them.
When someone is manic, they can be utterly insufferable. The oversized ego is on full show.
I have been fired from every job I have ever had. Every cofounder I have worked with has wanted to stop. Every loving partner I have been with has eventually ended our relationship.
I do not blame any of them. At my worst, I would not want to employ me or be around me at all.
I do not blame any of them. At my worst, I would not want to employ me or be around me at all.
At times, my brain is like a white hot thermo-nuclear reactor. It feels like the heat of a thousand suns is coursing through it at the speed of light.
It is incredibly uncomfortable.
Asking a manic person to calm down is like asking a drunk person to sober up.
It takes time.
It is incredibly uncomfortable.
Asking a manic person to calm down is like asking a drunk person to sober up.
It takes time.
I will pause this thread here out of respect for your time.
If you are interested, I will do a thread on what I have done to try and live with this condition.
I am sharing this in the hopes of helping people understand what I go through at times.
I appreciate your patience
If you are interested, I will do a thread on what I have done to try and live with this condition.
I am sharing this in the hopes of helping people understand what I go through at times.
I appreciate your patience
