Matt

To me, personally, the more that I talk about bipolar, the more I own it. It doesn’t own me.

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You’re Not Alone: Talking About Bipolar I.

Amy

When I was diagnosed, I embraced that as an answer. I was like, “okay, now I know what this is. What can I do about it?”

Ryan

It’s exhausting not to share it, it’s exhausting to keep it in. It’s so much easier to talk about it and it’s so much easier to help people understand and also help myself in the process.

Matt

The more I can talk about it and be open about me, myself, and what I am, and what my diagnosis is, the better I feel about myself. I don’t feel like that alone kid who has nothing in common with anybody.

Ryan

See a therapist and talk about everything. There’s nothing that you’re gonna say that a therapist hasn’t heard before. And you just need to be okay with talking about it.

Matt

Talk to your doctor about it. Talk to your primary care physician. Talk to your psychiatrist. Talk to your counselor. There is no better feeling than to know that I have a team of people helping me. I used to feel that I was a burden. I don’t feel like a burden anymore.

Mike

Having family support is such an incredible blessing. They want to know more about it, they want to know how they can help me, and they have been critical in my success of getting back on my feet, back out there, doing life, taking on things that are difficult.

Matt

There is help. You’re not weak for seeking help, in fact, you’re strong for asking for help.

Amy

You need to have that support that you’re not doing it alone. For me, that’s part of the therapy, is being able to talk about it openly with no shame or stigma.

Matt

Find support. Find someone, find someone to cling to when you’re weak. Find someone to be your rock. Find someone that will just give you positive support. The last thing I want is for someone to feel as alone as I did. It’s just not necessary.

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