Managing Bipolar Disorder: Aimee’s Story

Date Posted

January 22, 2025

Author

Aimee

Category

Aimee in a flower garden

Aimee lives with bipolar disorder. Though Aimee showed symptoms at a younger age, she was not diagnosed until she was in college. She wants to share her experience with managing bipolar disorder to help other people.

Getting the diagnosis

I was receiving mental health counseling through my university. After speaking to me for a few sessions, one of the staff psychologists suggested that I had symptoms of bipolar disorder. They confirmed my diagnosis after I had a major manic episode and was hospitalized. I spent a few months on medication, then I convinced my psychiatrist to let me wean off entirely and try once again to be a typical college student. A year later, I realized how much of a mistake this was.

My mental health declined and I was hospitalized for a month. This time, I had to withdraw from university and vie for readmittance a year later. I am happy to say that, once I returned to university, I made a best friend. We studied together so that I passed all my chemical engineering courses from junior and senior year with straight As, graduating with honors. Never did I falter on my treatment plan.

Managing bipolar disorder and staying well

I make sure to prioritize my sleep. It makes me happy and excited to go to sleep every night, since it’s essential to my wellbeing. I also make sure to eat healthy and maintain good gastrointestinal health. Finally, I see a psychiatric nurse practitioner for my medication management. At the start of our sessions, she gave me the option to undergo some basic tests to learn more about how my body is made up. She was able to prescribe some additional supplements for me to take with the medication to help me endure the worst symptoms of bipolar disorder. Now, I can go for months at a time in an even state without extreme depression, anxiety, or panic attacks. My partner has also been a great help to me.

Advice for bipolar disorder caregivers

If you have a family member living with bipolar disorder, encourage them to do these 3 things.

  • Speak with a counselor, coach, or psychologist to work out internal turmoil so that they can find peace in their life.
  • Work closely with their prescriber to make sure they look at their whole health to maximize wellness. Our brains are connected to our bodies and respond to how well our bodies are feeling.
  • Find hobbies so that they can have something exciting to fall back on. Bipolar disorder is an illness of extremes so it is easy to fall apart and give up on the beauty and meaning all around you.

I have bipolar disorder, but that hasn’t stopped me from making a good salary, being respected by colleagues and friends, or finding a supportive partner. I feel comfortable that I will succeed in the years to come despite any challenges coming my way. With the proper management and room for growth, anyone diagnosed with bipolar disorder can do the same.