Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar Disorder is an affective mood disorder characterized by episodes of mania — some symptoms include excessive activity, impaired judgment, impulsivity — and periods of depression — some symptoms include negative mood, apathy, lethargy. For more comprehensive information on bipolar disorder, please click here.
Individuating to Find Peace in my Relationship with My Parents
This mental health recovery story focuses on Aditi, who lives with bipolar disorder. Her journey has been one around finding ways to act for herself and not others. Read more to learn about her journey with mental health and healing.
The Importance of Drawing Boundaries, or, “I Leave at Nine”
This mental health recovery story focuses on Sheila, who lives with bipolar disorder. Her journey has been one around finding ways to advocate for her needs. Read more to learn about her journey with mental health and healing.
Tommy Horsey: Modeling Vulnerability
Tommy Horsey started the Instagram account @vulnerbul_ to encourage Black males to talk about their mental health.
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Managing Suicidality: How I Have Survived all my Hardest Days
This mental health recovery story focuses on Val, who has experienced suicidality and eventually was diagnosed with BPD and Bipolar. Read more to learn about her journey with psychosis and healing.
Crossing Borders to Confront my Bipolar Disorder
This mental health recovery story focuses on Jenny, who has experienced suicidality, when eventually hospitalized she was faced with a new diagnosis. Read more to learn about her journey with psychosis and healing.
James Church: Immortal Dark Manga and Mental Health
A film about IMMORTAL DARK, a Black supernatural martial arts manga that blends two of James Church’s lifetime passions—Japanese manga and mental health.
Is There Life After Diagnosis: Finding Myself after Learning I Have Bipolar
This mental health recovery story focuses on Alexis’s journey with bipolar and how she learned to manage her mental health without making it who she is entirely.
A Golf Pro Recovers from Bipolar Disorder
Former pro golfer Don Walin writes openly about his bipolar disorder, including some of his manic episodes during his life and career.
Who Will I be When I Wake up? A Bipolar Journey
Kelly Schermerhorn, who lives with bipolar disorder, doesn’t count sheep to get to sleep; she plays baseball with Jesus to help keep her brain rested and healthy.
Social Media – Recovering from the Drug Addiction of the Nation
Jason Schreurs would sit with his eyes bloodshot against the computer screen late into the night, forging connections on social media. Eventually, this obsession put him in the hospital.
Surviving Suicidality to Live in a Wonderful World
Javier Ortega-Araiza was feeling suicidal, and it wasn’t the first time that happened. His essay talks about his mental health recovery.
Bipolar Disorder, Independence, and Living in the 21st Century as a 20th Century Woman
Lena Walton was always shushed by society—no talking about her undiagnosed bipolar disorder, nor about independence as a woman. Only now, following a breakdown, is Lena finally beginning to understand herself.
For this African American Man; there is Light, Even with Bipolar Schizophrenia
Men in the Black community are viewed as weak if they seek mental health treatment, but Derrick McQueen, a Black man with bipolar schizophrenia, didn’t let stigma stop him from getting help.
How I Learned I had Bipolar Disorder, or, “The Unpleasantness”
Sheila O’Shea triumphantly shouted, “I called it!” when she was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder II; a mental health diagnosis she always kind of knew she had.
From Manic Insights to a Holistic Truth; Moving Towards Healing with Bipolar Disorder
Alexis Zinkerman writes about the intersectionality between bipolar disorder, spirituality, and creativity.
Lies Mania has Told Me
Bipolar mania told Erika Nichols-Frazer that sex was love, that Stephen Colbert and John Oliver would want to interview her, and that gibberish was genius; these are the lies mania told her.
NAMI Man: A Super Hero with a Super Human Story of Mental Illness Recovery
Mini doc about Nick Emeigh, aka NAMI Man, a colorful and awe-inspiring superhero who roams the world fighting stigma and promoting mental health awareness.
NAMI Man Film Sneak Peek!
Nick Emeigh is NAMI Man, a colorful and awe-inspiring superhero who roams the world, fighting stigma and promoting mental health awareness.
Misunderstood, Misdiagnosed, Misled: My Story of Illness and Addiction
Christina faced issues with addiction and the law, due to underlying mental issues, eventually with the proper help and diagnosis she learned to tackle these issues.
Deciding to Get Better: The Choice to Fight Schizoaffective Disorder
Cheyenne Ruiz spent much of her adolescence fighting panic attacks, working through depression, and pretending hallucinations weren’t happening. One hallucination pushed her to take recovery into her own hands.
Is This What Normal Feels Like? Finding the Right Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Aneta Dabrowska felt the ups and downs of bipolar type II as a teenager, but no one around her knew how to react. When she entered adulthood, Aneta set on a journey to understand her illness on her own terms.
“Dear Me” A Music Video that Started in Group Therapy
David Thomas is a musician who lives with bipolar disorder. His first single, “Dear Me,” stems from an exercise assigned at a group therapy session.
Why I Ignored a Bipolar Diagnosis in my 20s… and What I Learned in my 30s
Chris Russell, an actor living with bipolar disorder, writes about medication, realizations, acceptance, and managing his mental health.
I Felt Safer in a Psychiatric Hospital During the Pandemic
The national fatigue and anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic felt all too familiar to Jennifer, who is diagnosed with bipolar and has experienced mania.
“Dear Me” A Sneak Peek at a Music Video that Started in Group Therapy
David Thomas is a musician who lives with bipolar disorder. His first single, “Dear Me,” stems from an exercise assigned at a group therapy session.
The Gentler Lessons of a Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis
Shortly after her first hospitalization and diagnosis of bipolar, Jocelyn fell into a deep depression. While in the hospital, Jocelyn was guided by the beauty of an orchid, sitting on her window sill. Jocelyn found ways to find beauty day to day to help cope with depression and diagnosis, along with therapy and medication. Read more about her story!
Coming to Terms with Autism, Bipolar 1, and OCD as a Young College Student
Thomas Duliban loves to share with people; but what’s acceptable to share of his autism, his OCD, his bipolar diagnoses?
ECT and Me
Evelyn Sachs won’t stand for electroconvulsive therapy being just another cheap “Cuckoo’s Nest” reference; it has helped with her bipolar depression.
A Fractured Journey: Feeling the Throes of Bipolar Disorder Before Diagnosis
Jason Schreurs zig-zags through different moments in his life, finding both clarity and confusion throughout. It all coalesces with one surprise diagnosis.
Strike Three, an Undeniable Success: Finding Confidence Through Bipolar Depression
Leigh Abraham spent much of his life thinking his failures belonged to him, but not his accomplishments. Then he found baseball.
My Bipolar, BPD, OCD, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobic Life’s Journey; Thus Far
As a child, Brianna attempted to find ways to control the emotions and experiences that she did not feel in control of, how Brianna’s diagnosis and treatment helped her to understand her moods.
Watching Mental Illness from the Sideline: A Brother’s Story
Dave Brennan reflects on the difficulties of living with someone with a bipolar diagnosis, as well as how we may look past these difficulties and see the rest of that person.
Sólheimasandur: Surviving Addiction, Bipolar Disorder, and Oppression as a Trans Man
When faced with a multi-faceted stack of mental health obstacles, Ethan Sunny Swift survives through self-reflection and helping others.
From the Vault: A Hero’s Journey Gets an Encore
Ed Kozempel is a hero who understands the power of music and doesn’t let paranoid schizophrenia or bipolar get between him and his flute.
44th in the Queue: What Texting the Suicide Lifeline Taught Me about Life, Mental Health, and Toxic Masculinity
When bipolar actor Chris Russell was experiencing suicidal ideation, he called the Lifeline; this is what he learned.
Six Days on the Good Unit: Hospitalized and Alive
Casey Cannizzaro is a brilliant writer who lives in a world of addiction and bipolar disorder, both of which he fights every single day, with every breath.
Major Depressive Disorder, Social Anxiety, and Hypothyroidism: A Survival Story
After a brain surgery left him with anxiety, weight gain, and depressive symptoms, Jakob
Waldron found out what real friends looked like.
Australian Mental Health | A Clear Voice on Bipolar Disorder from Down Under
Liza Brock is an Australian mental health writer who writes about her journey with bipolar disorder.
How the Correct Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder Saved My Life
After two negative experiences with less-than-optimal therapists, Taylor Oxley chose to battle her mental illness alone. As a last resort, she decided to visit one more.
Manic MFA: How My Degree Almost Cost Me My Sanity
Trying to manage bipolar disorder and a MFA program, she was influenced by mania, anxiety dictated the pace of her life, and her marriage was in danger.
Blessed by Dog: How My Emotional Therapy Animal Helps Me Cope with Bipolar
Trying to deal with a bipolar diagnosis, alcohol-abuse, self-harm, and hallucinations is a lot to take on. When Jessica Drake-Thomas met her emotional therapy animal, Mia, the road to recovery became much more clear.
I Suppressed Everything – A Story of Abuse and Bipolar
This mental recovery story focuses on Lisa’s journey of childhood trauma, abuse and eventually her diagnosis of bipolar. After years of physical, sexual and mental abuse, Lisa thought she had found stability, until her mania set in followed by severe depression. Lisa’s life felt like it was spinning out. Her physical, sexual and mental abuse dictated her life, her mania felt out of control, how Lisa came to terms with her diagnosis of bipolar and past trauma and found a way to heal. With time and therapy Lisa found ways to cope. Read more about Lisa’s journey!
Emptying My Head: Bipolar Depression, A Tale of Two People
This mental health recovery story focuses on Erica’s journey through an abusive childhood, a diagnosis of bipolar depression and the feeling of being misunderstood, by other and by herself. Her bipolar depression and anger left Erica confused, when she found therapy she was able to see what was beneath her rage and come through to the other side. Erica realized that her anger masked a deep sadness, as she worked with a counselor she found a way to explore her past and understand her present. Learn more about Erica’s journey!
Dancing Away Depression
it has been a very long time since I have been out dancing. I am much too depressed and the pain is overwhelming; however, there came a meeting of my many minds and the solution was couch dancing. LOL, you say? I would be willing to bet you have never tried it!
A Story of Multiple Mental Illness Diagnoses in a Marriage
We have a strong marriage but with our multiple diagnoses there are challenges that most would not understand—like going to the grocery store or out to eat.
A Mom with PTSD: Getting Closer to Realizing My Dreams
I was trying to manage my PTSD (unsuccessfully), which was magnified by my newly received diagnoses of bipolar with treatment resistant depression and borderline traits.
The (im) possibilities of love with bipolar
I should have asked for her hand in marriage, but she would have just given me the finger. I live with bipolar disorder. Once, I loved with it too.
My Whirlwind Brain; Living with Bipolar Disorder, Depression, and Anxiety
I’m a thirty-seven-year-old woman who was diagnosed with bipolar, depression and anxiety at the age of twenty-two. As I look back on my life I can remember feeling anxious throughout my childhood. I grew up in a good home with loving parents, but my anxiety persisted.
The Power of an Emotional Support Animal in Mental Health Recovery
Bowser and I had met when I began a rather impulsive search for someone, or something, to help alleviate my mental and emotional turmoil.
You’re Manic Bipolar – The Line Between Audience and Stage
You’re more powerful than you know. And, once you learn how to wield your powers, trust me. They’ll applaud.
2 Gabes in A Car Sharing Mental Health Stories
In addition to sharing a first name, they also share a passion for busting stigma about mental illness. Mental health advocacy brought them together, but something deeper created a connection.
Seeking Sanity Step by Step
My illness devastated me at age twenty when I was committed to a psychiatric hospital for sixty days and eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
You Just Can’t Talk to Crazy People: Bipolar, Depressed, Recovering
My psychiatrist became so annoyed with my theological nonsense that he abruptly stalked out of one session, exclaiming, “You just can’t talk to crazy people.” I sent him a note later, in which I informed him that I could talk to crazy people, so that was his problem, not mine.
The Performance of Life: A Son with Bipolar Remembers his Father
My father’s compassion when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder was unreal and unexpected. Importantly, he was engaged in his own efforts to better understand what life is like for a son with bipolar disorder by seeking out support groups.
How Bipolar Support Groups Helped Change My Life
It took months of internal debate before I worked up the courage and the desire to at least give the depression and bipolar support groups a shot.
Bipolar Disorder and PTSD – How I Accepted My Mental Illness Before it had a Name
Before I had a name for my mental illness — bipolar disorder and ptsd — this is what it felt like: playing diagnosis dress-up, trying on labels, seeing how they fit, and feeling lost — like there was nothing left in my closet to wear.
Review – Rock Steady: Brilliant Advice from my Bipolar Life
Ellen Forney has written a second graphic novel, Rock Steady: Brilliant Advice from my Bipolar Life, which leads the reader through her healing process.
Kevin Hines Teaches Us That Being Well is an Art in Suicide: The Ripple Effect
In Suicide: The Ripple Effect, Kevin Hines recounts the tale of his suicide attempt when he was nineteen years old, and then embarks on a journey to offer hope to others who may be struggling, and to hear stories from mental health advocates like him.
After I Destroyed Myself: Fast and Furious with Bipolar Disorder and Addiction
I’m not an expert on mental health, addiction, or suicide. I’m a survivor.
Transcending the Pain of Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizoaffective bipolar type is a disease characterized by mood swings and depression, in addition to psychosis, delusions, and paranoia.
Bipolar Disorder on Facebook – 5 Accounts to Follow
This post highlights bipolar disorder on Facebook. Check out these accounts, give @oc87rd a follow on Facebook, and be sure to explore the related links in this post.
The Homeless Gospel Choir, Punk Rock, and My Mental Health Journey
I started writing songs about my feelings and sharing them with audiences throughout the country as a touring musician, under the name The Homeless Gospel Choir.
Episode 21 – A Talk with Psych Central Podcast Host, Gabe Howard
Podcast interview with PsychCentral.com podcast host, Gabe Howard, who suffers from bipolar disorder, but is in recovery.
Bipolar Disorder Videos on YouTube
by I host a monologue in my head all day long, as I assume most people do; I run through my to-do lists, organize my tasks at hand, and guide myself through my own emotional reactions. These are the types of...
Challenges of Writing a Bipolar Book When You Have Bipolar
I have bipolar disorder and I’ve written a book about my experience living with bipolar disorder and depression.
Married… with Bipolar Disorder: One Couple’s Unique Mental Health Perspective
Gabe lives with bipolar disorder and Kendall lives with Gabe, who lives with bipolar disorder so, in a way; Kendall does most definitely “live” with bipolar disorder.
Episode 19 – Rudy Caseres: Champion for Mental Health
Rudy Caseres is a mental health advocate who lives with bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
Faith and Academia Unmask a Psychotic, Bipolar Depression
Depression tricks you into thinking that you are completely alone when, in fact, you are the opposite. No one is truly alone.
The Trauma of Not Being Traumatized Enough: My Life with Pure OCD
All my life, the media had taught me that, in order to suffer from mental illness, you had to endure some kind of a severe trauma. That was incorrect.
Episode 17– Bipolar Disorder, Family, and Love
The memoir “Gorilla and the Bird” discusses how bipolar disorder affects work, family, and relationships. Podcast interview with Zack and his mom, Cindy.
From Mental Health Institutionalization to Advocacy
A journey from dark days of mental health institutionalization and repeated electroconvulsive therapy treatments, to a successful advocacy career.
Finding My Faith Despite Losing My Mind
On losing my mind with bipolar disorder, the bottom line is this: I need to take my medication, no matter how much faith I possess.
Living with and Managing Bipolar Disorder
Managing bipolar disorder behavior involves more than medications. Changes in mood are affected by factors in our environment.
Bipolar Disorder: Never Giving Up
There is only one thing that gets me through the bipolar cycles and that is time. It is a cliché but, during my cycles, the only way is through.
6 Bipolar Disorder Instagram Accounts That Are Busting Mental Health Stigma
Today we’re showcasing bipolar disorder Instagram accounts that enrich the way we understand what it’s like to live with this diagnosis.
Episode 8 – A Bengali American Woman’s Bipolar Journey
Bengali Mental Health – Fahmina Ahmed says she’s experiencing many more highs and lows in her bipolar disorder because of the volatile political climate.
The Bottom of the World: Living with Bipolar in Australia
People are now openly talking about having depression or anxiety — BUT NOT BIPOLAR: I believe that the word bipolar in Australia is still scary.
Episode 3 – An Interview with Documentary Filmmaker Glenn Holsten
Glenn Holsten discusses the making of his mental health documentary film, Hollywood Beauty Salon.
22 Mental Health Podcasts
In celebration of our new podcast, we’ve rounded up 22 mental health podcasts that are doing their part to #buststigma around mental illness.
A Bipolar Diagnosis: A Life’s Mission Revealed
After my bipolar diagnosis I got married, got divorced, lost my job due to the stigma of mental illness, and attend two assisted outpatient hospital programs.
A Bipolar Diagnosis: Suicide Watch
“Honey, I will be checking on you every fifteen minutes.” I stared at her, puzzled, until she leveled me with a four-word gut punch: “You’re on suicide watch.”
Losing My Job, Keeping My Mental Health
The severity of my depression in the wake of losing my job solidified the notion that, for people with mental illness, having a job can make all the difference.
A Mental Health Advocate Sends Love and Light to the World
Sitawa Wafula is a Kenyan mental health blogger and advocate for people living with mental health conditions and their families.
Bipolar-ish: Q&A with Musician Deidre Young
“My medicine is my music. When it gets too bad, I’ve got to sit down and do my music.” – Deidre Young a.k.a. H-Town Butta, creator of the song “Bipolar-ish.”
Ten Years Since My Bipolar Disorder Breakdown
It’s been exactly ten years since my bipolar disorder breakdown. These years have been hard work but they have brought tremendous joy and peace
Seeing Stars: Meg Hutchinson & Bipolar Disorder
My name is Meg Hutchinson. I’m 38 years old. I’m a singer-songwriter and poet. I’ve been living with bipolar disorder since I was 19 years old.
Having Hope After Being Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder
Shireda was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. That solved some of the confusion. Support at The Attic, an LGBTQ youth center, and Horizon House helped next.
In Discovery With Bipolar Disorder
It took a year for me to find the courage to google “bipolar disorder.” On some level I knew I needed professional help, but there were a lot of risks.
A Lifetime of Secrets Living With Bipolar Disorder
I’m at peace with the fact that I unlocked my secrets about living with bipolar disorder. I’m not the first one to be bipolar, and won’t be the last.
A Molecular Biologist With Bipolar 1 Disorder
I have a wonderful life. But I would be lying if I didn’t say it has been a hard fought one. I suffer from bipolar 1 disorder. Here is my story.
Not For The Faint of Heart: Recovering From Co-Occurring Illnesses
Bipolar disorder and alcoholism left me exhausted and defeated. Hope came in the form of a co-occurring illnesses rehab facility.
Young, Black and Bipolar
“Young, Black and Bipolar” helps people navigate through the craziness of accomplishing a normal life after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
A Life With Bipolar: Learning Coping Skills The Hard Way
I have bipolar disorder. Today, it is a big chunk of who I am, but thanks to these three bipolar coping skills, I know it is not the only chunk.
My Kids Know Mommy Has Bipolar Disorder
I talk with my kids about my mental illness often. They know Mommy has bipolar disorder. I teach my children that it’s okay to talk about mental illness.
“Crazy Cozmo” Veteran Marine With PTSD & Bipolar Disorder
“Crazy Cozmo” is a Marine Corps. veteran who lives with PTSD and bipolar disorder. He also wrestles with the abuse he experienced as a child.
Climbing Out of the Rabbit Hole with ECT, DBT & Art Therapy
I finally I agreed to ECT (electroconvulsive therapy). I was both intrigued and terrified. After my ECT treatments I started to feel like a human again.
Radical Acceptance & Mental Health Recovery
Radical acceptance helps me with PTSD and bipolar disorder with borderline traits. Radical acceptance dictates that change is just another part of life.
A Mom With PTSD: Journey Down The Rabbit Hole
I look “normal” though I’m a mom with PTSD and bipolar disorder with borderline traits. This is part 1 of 3 of my recovery story from an abusive childhood.
I Still Lose Myself
I hurt so much. I didn’t understand how to take care of my body. I didn’t know that I was sick with Bipolar II and a major anxiety disorder.
An Open Letter to Everyone
I used to be like you. Why should I air my dirty laundry? What if my friends all think I’m weird if they know my brain is broken? This is my brave.
Lessons From A Year Well-Lived
A recap of the 5 most popular posts on OC87 Recovery Diaries from 2014 plus the OC87 Recovery Diaries team shares what helped us along throughout the year.
Learning To Trust Again
As someone with Asperger’s Syndrome, it’s very difficult for me to take the perspective of other people. Recently, I made a breakthrough in this area.
A Hero’s Life
Lost to paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, Ed was in limbo for 30 years before finding the right medication and community to heal and play music.
The Perfect Storm
Bud Clayman, from the documentary OC87, talks about his experience with Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) therapy while at the International OCD Conference
Delaney Ruston
Interview with Delaney Ruston about her documentary Hidden Pictures, where she visits India, China, South Africa, France & the USA looking at mental health.
Marbles
Marbles is a hilarious moving graphic memoir about artist Ellen Forney’s diagnosis & recovery journey with bipolar disorder, a search for clarity & wellness.
The Reel Mind
“The Reel Mind films have a message of hope and recovery. People come in feeling alone and isolated and leave feeling very differently” –Dr Larry Guttmacher
Learning How To Talk
“I have this overwhelming need to help people understand where mental illness is coming from in a way that a lot of people aren’t able to do.” – Evan Kaplan
Of Two Minds
In OF TWO MINDS, Liz recounts her lost years of extreme mania and depressions as well as the effects of electroshock treatments.
The Metamorphosis of Sanetta Watkins
In this excerpt from the documentary Hollywood Beauty Salon, Sanetta “Butterfly” Watkins shares her metamorphosis recovery journey with schizophrenia.
David & Lisa
While I haven’t been diagnosed with Haphephobia (a fear of having your personal space violated), I do have a tough time being hugged.
Ordinary People
At the time I saw Ordinary People, I was in the midst of major depression and going through a lot of turmoil in my life. I was only nineteen years old.
Michael Solomon
Michael Solomon is married, assumes responsibilities, and helps others in their own recovery journeys. He has a lot of empathy for people, too.
Silver Linings Playbook
I went into the film Silver Linings Playbook somewhat skeptical. I also went into the film with my own life experience with Bipolar Disorder.
Stephanie Sikora & Equine Therapy For Mental Health
Stephanie has amazingly coped with her disorder through her love of equine therapy for mental health. Her trust in horses has allowed her to trust people.
Recovery Is A Verb
Performing under the name Geppetta, Adelaide Windsome describes her recovery with depression as a verb rather than a noun.
The OC87 Movie
Behind the scenes of Bud Clayman’s documentary OC87: The Obsessive Compulsive, Major Depression, Bipolar, Asperger’s Movie.