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I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder II four years ago.
This is what my life is ACTUALLY like as opposed to what movies want you to think.
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This is what my life is ACTUALLY like as opposed to what movies want you to think.
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First: here's the difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II
Bipolar I: full-blown manic episodes, may never actually have depressive episodes, most commonly shown as "bipolar" in TV and movies.
Bipolar I: full-blown manic episodes, may never actually have depressive episodes, most commonly shown as "bipolar" in TV and movies.
Bipolar II: hypomanic episodes (less severe than above because you typically still have self-control to an extent), will absolutely have depressive episodes, often misdiagnosed as depression, to begin with.
WHICH happened to me and can be extremely harmful for a few reasons...
WHICH happened to me and can be extremely harmful for a few reasons...
1. I was put on strong anti-depressants, which only helped some of the time, and I felt "restricted" other times, which would worsen my depressive episodes.
2. tbh hypomania feels GOOD, so I would stop taking my meds because I wanted to feel like that.
2. tbh hypomania feels GOOD, so I would stop taking my meds because I wanted to feel like that.
Once I was diagnosed correctly, I was given mood stabilizers to level me out, and truthfully, I haven't needed them in over a year.
That's because Bipolar II can often be treated by finding routine, consistency, and safety in your life.
That's because Bipolar II can often be treated by finding routine, consistency, and safety in your life.
So, now let's talk about how my daily life is affected.
In short: it doesn't affect my life as much as people may think.
I've adapted my working habits and am clear to my colleagues about my needs as someone with bipolar disorder. This is THE most important part.
In short: it doesn't affect my life as much as people may think.
I've adapted my working habits and am clear to my colleagues about my needs as someone with bipolar disorder. This is THE most important part.
That's because my productivity, mood, and ~vibe~ can change drastically with almost no warning.
One day I'll crush through 5 pieces of content, and others I'll barely make a sentence happen.
One day I'll crush through 5 pieces of content, and others I'll barely make a sentence happen.
By clearly communicating these swings with my boss, we can set up weekly/monthly goals that I know I can achieve because when the hypomania flicks on, LET'S GOOOO. 
I'm also infamous for rearranging my entire house during a hypomanic episode.
The key is to ensure I'm able to do SOMETHING during those times and have the flexibility to do so. Those days are my cleaning, exercise, and productivity days because I have to focus my mind.
The key is to ensure I'm able to do SOMETHING during those times and have the flexibility to do so. Those days are my cleaning, exercise, and productivity days because I have to focus my mind.
Truthfully, most days, I don't even think about it anymore.
I think many people with Bipolar II go undiagnosed because the swings can be minimal if you can find stability in your life.
This is why society has such a harsh view of the disease.
I think many people with Bipolar II go undiagnosed because the swings can be minimal if you can find stability in your life.
This is why society has such a harsh view of the disease.
We often only see the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to mental health. People we want to call "crazy."
But that's just not the reality of having a chemical imbalance in your brain that's labeled as a "mental disorder."
But that's just not the reality of having a chemical imbalance in your brain that's labeled as a "mental disorder."
We have such a long way to go to understanding mental illness.
I hope you learned a bit and will be more empathetic to some of your fav people because we're all living with sh*t that's not visible.
And, I'd be lying if I said it hasn't been a little worse in the last 12 months.
I hope you learned a bit and will be more empathetic to some of your fav people because we're all living with sh*t that's not visible.
And, I'd be lying if I said it hasn't been a little worse in the last 12 months.
Also, casual disclaimer: obviously, this is my lived experience and research I've personally done.
If you've lived a different experience with this disease, I'd love to hear and learn from you.
If you've lived a different experience with this disease, I'd love to hear and learn from you.
