5 Ways My Diagnosis With Bipolar Disorder Changed My Life | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

5 Ways My Diagnosis With Bipolar Disorder Changed My Life

Like Demi Lovato, who was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I have survived some tough battles to be who I am today.

336
5 Ways My Diagnosis With Bipolar Disorder Changed My Life
wallpapersqq.net

(To my reader: Please note that the following article includes my experience with severe depression and anxiety and suicidal thoughts.)

So. I've written about depression and anxiety. I've written about ADHD and Asperger's. Now it's time to talk about something even bigger and worse: bipolar disorder. But because I've likely already made my readers variations of serious and sad with my first two articles, I'm going to write a light and quirky article about my biggest and worst "demon."

First off, let me say how happy I am to live in the time I live in because I don't know what kind of life I could lead without the psychiatric care I am receiving now (I don't know, maybe I'd be deemed the modern madwoman in the attic? I guess I could keep writing poetry...). Besides the general sunshine that came with lifting the fog of a decade-long, deep depression, my diagnosis with type II bipolar disorder brought me several other ways to bloom. Here's just a few.

1. My mind is quiet.

One of the symptoms of bipolar disorder that people might not know about is the incessant racing thoughts. After starting my medicine, my once-stormy mind shut off like a faucet. Ahh. Nothing like starting life anew with a clear and peaceful mind.

2. My heart is relieved.

A huge part of receiving a diagnosis with a serious illness of any kind is the washing-over of relief that comes with knowledge. Before finding out I had bipolar disorder, and especially during the times when my fight was the hardest, I felt a sense of profound fear: What was going on with me, and how could I make it stop?

Getting my diagnosis and the treatment it requires has given me a new and more secure life in knowing that, though I have a serious medical illness, I can and will be helped.

3. It gave me an identity that helps me connect with others.

Another big part of living with mental illness is not letting it, like any other sort of illness or condition, define you. Although I understand that mental health professionals and advocates encourage this attitude with good intentions, I can't help but notice that this idea might be heavily influenced by all of the negative parts of having a mental illness, i.e. cultural stigma and misunderstanding. Personally, I love talking about my mental illness because it a) has been a huge facet of my life and who I am now and b) it helps me connect with others who experience it. Whether it be allowing me to make a friend who otherwise felt lonely due to their illness or helping me to feel a little less ashamed by looking at the "greats" in history who struggled with bipolar, my illness empowers me to connect to the world.

4. It gave me a cause, and a reason to care.

Ever since I received my diagnosis, I have felt empowered to not only connect with the world but to educate the world. To me, bipolar seems like one of the most least-known-about and (consequently) most-stigmatized mental illnesses out there. My goal is to help make the world a kinder place for people with bipolar and other mental illnesses. Besides giving me a cause, my diagnosis has opened my eyes to not only people living with other mental illnesses, but also to people who live with many different kinds of illnesses, conditions, and disabilities, and just people in general. I guess you could say that learning that I have bipolar disorder has made me a more compassionate person.

5. It made me a champion.
At the onset of my illness, during what seemed to be the depression side, for 6 weeks I slept 2-4 hours a night, if at all. It was also hard to eat, think, and study, but I stayed in school. Sometimes I wanted to die, but I stayed alive.

On the other side of my illness, the hypomania (or sub-mania) part, I forfeited my values to follow my impulses, getting into trouble with boys and overspending. But despite all of this pain and shame, I kept going. It's almost as if my diagnosis is the medal I got for reaching the end of the fight.

Although I'll have to be a fighter for the rest of my life, my hardest battle is over, and I stayed in the ring. In this way, my diagnosis--and the psychiatric treatment I have received for my diagnosis, of course--is a comfort to me, and even something that represents my inner strength.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

19428
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

8187
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

5967
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

5171
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments