In todays interview we will be hearing from patient X who wants to remain unnamed. This patient has been struggling with the affects of bipolar disorder since a very young age. We will hear some pretty incredible stories of triumph and some coping strategies everyone can use.
Braniff: Explain how the symptoms of bipolar disorder affect your every day life?
Patient X: Well, I have severe episodes which means I go from being in an extreme manic high to a very depressive low. It affects my life because for weeks at a time I will be on top of the world. Then I will be so depressed I can’t even get out on my bed. Every relationship is ruined because of my episodes.
Braniff: Tell me more about how your relationships are ruined.
Patient X: I will start something with a group of people and I will put all my time and energy into that project. I will obsess over this project and then I would get frustrated if the outcome isn’t exactly how I want it. When things start getting out of control I will quit and give up. I lose a lot of friends and possible job opportunities that way. I find myself searching for new friends and jobs all the time because people can’t handle my extreme highs and lows.
Braniff: When you are in these low depressions what are some things you do to cope?
Patient X: I’ve had to learn through experience but it all starts with a good doctor. You have to be comfortable with your doctor and really trust them. One of the biggest coping mechanisms is becoming an expert on bipolar disorder and learning about what it really does to the brain. Also, it’s really good to manage my illness, for instance, make a med and mood chart to keep track of my manic highs and lows and the medications you took that day. Being prepared for a crisis can also help me manage my behaviors during my manic highs. Lastly, finding a community of people who are experiencing my exact hardships.
Braniff: How has your family reacted to your disease?
Patient X: My family finds themselves constantly being brought down by my illness because they hate to see me going through all of this madness. It seems like such a burden for them to deal with all of my problems. Then I get put into a deeper depression.
Braniff: Would you change anything about your life right now?
Patient X: I cannot imagine my life without taking lithium and having has the benefits of psychotherapy. It makes some sense of the confusion. Although bipolar disorder puts a damper on my life, it made me who I am today. I wouldn’t want to be any other kind of person. I don’t want anyone to think that I wouldn’t change this I had the chance. I would do anything to be considered “normal” by my peers but bipolar disorder has made me a much stronger person.
Braniff: Is there a message you can send out to young kids suffering with this illness and have nowhere to turn?
Patient X: You are not alone! Reach out and find a support group and get in touch with the community. There’s always someone out there going through the same thing as you. Don’t ever give up on yourself. EVER!
Braniff: How does society see you? Are some people mean to you because they are not educated on the illness?
Patient X: When I was younger people were afraid of me because they thought I would be violent towards them. Most people don’t know what bipolar disorder is and I don’t blame them because it’s not something that many people are educated on. The insult I get the most is, I am crazy. I am not crazy I just have an illness, an illness that is very common and if I didn’t tell anyone outside of my family then no one else would be able to tell. The things people say can be hurtful but at times I just correct them and try to move on with the rest of my day because I have bigger and more important things to worry about.
Braniff: The young people reading this interview will take a lot from this, both suffering with bipolar or just people who want to be educated on the subject. Thank you for your insight and great advise. Your stories will hit home for many people struggling with bipolar disorder and it will let them know they aren’t alone. Again, thank you for your time and stay strong throughout your battle against bipolar disorder.
Braniff: Explain how the symptoms of bipolar disorder affect your every day life?
Patient X: Well, I have severe episodes which means I go from being in an extreme manic high to a very depressive low. It affects my life because for weeks at a time I will be on top of the world. Then I will be so depressed I can’t even get out on my bed. Every relationship is ruined because of my episodes.
Braniff: Tell me more about how your relationships are ruined.
Patient X: I will start something with a group of people and I will put all my time and energy into that project. I will obsess over this project and then I would get frustrated if the outcome isn’t exactly how I want it. When things start getting out of control I will quit and give up. I lose a lot of friends and possible job opportunities that way. I find myself searching for new friends and jobs all the time because people can’t handle my extreme highs and lows.
Braniff: When you are in these low depressions what are some things you do to cope?
Patient X: I’ve had to learn through experience but it all starts with a good doctor. You have to be comfortable with your doctor and really trust them. One of the biggest coping mechanisms is becoming an expert on bipolar disorder and learning about what it really does to the brain. Also, it’s really good to manage my illness, for instance, make a med and mood chart to keep track of my manic highs and lows and the medications you took that day. Being prepared for a crisis can also help me manage my behaviors during my manic highs. Lastly, finding a community of people who are experiencing my exact hardships.
Braniff: How has your family reacted to your disease?
Patient X: My family finds themselves constantly being brought down by my illness because they hate to see me going through all of this madness. It seems like such a burden for them to deal with all of my problems. Then I get put into a deeper depression.
Braniff: Would you change anything about your life right now?
Patient X: I cannot imagine my life without taking lithium and having has the benefits of psychotherapy. It makes some sense of the confusion. Although bipolar disorder puts a damper on my life, it made me who I am today. I wouldn’t want to be any other kind of person. I don’t want anyone to think that I wouldn’t change this I had the chance. I would do anything to be considered “normal” by my peers but bipolar disorder has made me a much stronger person.
Braniff: Is there a message you can send out to young kids suffering with this illness and have nowhere to turn?
Patient X: You are not alone! Reach out and find a support group and get in touch with the community. There’s always someone out there going through the same thing as you. Don’t ever give up on yourself. EVER!
Braniff: How does society see you? Are some people mean to you because they are not educated on the illness?
Patient X: When I was younger people were afraid of me because they thought I would be violent towards them. Most people don’t know what bipolar disorder is and I don’t blame them because it’s not something that many people are educated on. The insult I get the most is, I am crazy. I am not crazy I just have an illness, an illness that is very common and if I didn’t tell anyone outside of my family then no one else would be able to tell. The things people say can be hurtful but at times I just correct them and try to move on with the rest of my day because I have bigger and more important things to worry about.
Braniff: The young people reading this interview will take a lot from this, both suffering with bipolar or just people who want to be educated on the subject. Thank you for your insight and great advise. Your stories will hit home for many people struggling with bipolar disorder and it will let them know they aren’t alone. Again, thank you for your time and stay strong throughout your battle against bipolar disorder.