Mike

I sat down at a table in a little conference room and the psychiatrist said, “Mike, we think you have bipolar I disorder.” And from that point forward, at least I had context.

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Getting Diagnosed and Starting to Manage Bipolar I

Amy

Because I had an answer and because I had a name, it was bipolar that was making me feel so out of control, that was making the depression so debilitating, that there were some days that I just couldn’t even get off the couch. And then those manic episodes were making me reckless, and I was self-medicating and I was promiscuous. When I was diagnosed. I embraced that as an answer. I was like, okay, now I know what this is, and now what can I do about it?

Matt

My wife, the closest person to me, pointed out that I was the common denominator in my issues, and she told me that I need to get help. And I finally realized that I need to do something because I don’t want to continue to live like this.

Amy

Being a standup comic, I use that, my story as, as, as humor so that I can share my journey on stage and help somebody else. So for me, it’s, that’s part of the therapy.

Mike

I’m always putting good things in my body. I eat clean, whole foods. I always make sure I’m managing things like what I’m thinking at all times. If thoughts pop into my brain that are untrue, I have to take them captive right in the moment.

Matt

With the proper medication, with the proper counseling, and a good peer team, there is hope.

Mike

I find that I’m able to manage my bipolar disorder in a way that I’m proud of, and it’s really, really cool.

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