Having bipolar means you have to work twice as hard (or more) to remain stable compared to a neurotypical person. Everyone has their ups and downs is something you may hear a lot and it is true, but for someone with bipolar, it is much more extreme. If someone is struggling, I don't suggest mentioning everyone has their ups and downs because it is invalidating.
As someone who battles bipolar disorder, I have been through so much. I have gone through psychosis twice, severe depression twice, and have had many hypomanic episodes. Once you are stable with medications, it does not mean that you will remain that way either. I feel fortunate currently that with reduced stress by not working or doing things that could cause stress, running a few days a week, playing soccer, eating healthy, talking to a therapist when needed, and keeping my brain occupied when I'm not feeling myself, I have been stable for 6 months. It is not easy having this disorder and everyone has a different experience.
Some people can work no problem and others struggle to keep a job. Finding the right medication isn't easy and everyone reacts to them differently.
In conclusion, bipolar can be managed, but it is an extremely difficult disorder to live with. Going through psychosis was absolutely terrifying for myself and my family. I said and did the strangest things. I kept thinking I was famous and at times couldn't even identify who I was. Severe depression in my opinion was much worse because I am such an outgoing bubbly person who no longer wanted to live. Depression made absolutely no sense to me and I couldn't understand why I was feeling so awful.
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This is an excellent article- very informative, honest, and well-written. I concur with everything you said. Having this condition is so much harder than most people realize....Thank you for sharing your experience and I wish you another solid six months of stability! Bravo!
Check out my piece: Mania, No Miranda Rights, and a Night in Jail
Lisa-Beth Harris
LBmaverickconsulting.com
Substack: Lisa-Beth's Corner of the Sky
Thank you for this message. It means a lot to me that you shared how far you have come in your journey. And I love how you write "I am a bipolar warrior who wants to make a difference in the world.".... As a mom who battles bipolar disorder, this resonated with me. I can only hope that my writings will make a difference too.