The Bipolar Diary

Hello Readers!

I would like to introduce to you a new column that we will be sharing each week. It is called The Bipolar Diary and will be place where we can share our stories of Bipolar Disorder, ways to handle this disorder and different posts that will educate you on what Bipolar Disorder is.

To start us off, we will share a repost from earlier this year. Enjoy and stay tuned for next week!

Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness that affects not only the person with it, but everyone around them as well. Today I wanted to share a bit more about what it’s like to have Bipolar Disorder.

Having Bipolar Disorder can be described as drastic mood fluctuations between happy and sad.

Sometimes the moods fluctuate quickly, but other times they take days, weeks or even months to change.

People around you might mistake you for being the hulk.

When you’re manic, you’re awesome and invincible!

It is not uncommon to go on some serious shopping sprees and have no regrets about spending all your money – even the money that is supposed to pay your bills.

No regrets has a completely different meaning to someone in a manic state.

Oh, and sleep? Yea, not happening.

Eventually what goes up, must come down and you’re depressive state causes you to lose sight of who you really are.

This can cause confusion as to why you’re keeping up all the commitments your manic-self made.

Your mind races faster than a race-car on the speedway!

And you have no idea what to do to make it all slow down or how to keep going.

This leads to frustration because you have no control over any of it and you just want to be “normal.”

Waking up is no fun in a depressive state because it means you have to face another day.

Oh and getting out of bed? It looks something like this, if you actually get out of bed at all.

People say they understand what you’re going through, but let’s face it. No one truly understands your personal situation but you.

When people call you moody, you laugh, because being moody is for amateurs!

You hate that you have no control over your emotions, and all you want to do is be the pilot for a few minutes.

Juggling emotions look something like this…. Aka: Watch Out!

Bipolar Disorder can cause forgetfulness which can be super embarrassing or frustrating, especially if you forget something that you’re supposed to be really good at.

People try to “fix” you all the time, but when they finally realize they can’t, they disappear from your life.

All this adds up and in the end, It’s Just Not Fair!

But in the words of Bradley Cooper, “Take all this negativity and use it as fuel” to get through another day and find a way to make it all work.

Nichole is a Social Media Marketing Manager, student, daughter and friend. She’s working on her Marketing Diploma and has a Certificate of Christian Theology. She is an avid coffee lover who enjoys a good movie or book. She takes great joy in organizing, scheduling, and volunteering. Her passion for volunteerism extends specifically to those who are hurting, whether it is emotionally, physically, or mentally.

Nichole is certified to provide Mental Health First Aid, which means she can provide immediate support and guidance in a safe environment, comfortably have a conversation about mental health related issues and offer professional and other supports. This does NOT make Nichole a psychologist, or a counselor. It simply gives her the tools to direct people to the help they need.

You can follow Nichole on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Pinterest, and Linkedin.