Living with bipolar disorder: Maarten opens up | DW Documentary

I'm suicidal too. I have bipolar disorder and I'm proud. Depression is not a choice. No one with bipolar disorder should feel ashamed. It's not easy, but I'm proud anyway. If I weren't Bipolar, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I'm a wonderful person. I'm a beautiful gift in this world. I have so much to offer and I love the person that I am. Be brave! God bless you! 💙

Im bipolar for 10 years and have some advice for yall. Avoid drugs. Alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, marijuana, etc. Be active. Go to the gym at least 3 times a week. Avoid negativity, avoid news or negative people. Manic episodes for me are usually triggered by some sort of event or action. For me, heavy drinking, life event, crazy news story can trigger an episode. Take everything with a grain of salt. Trust your family & tell your close friends about your condition, they will be supportive. Our modern lives are extremely stressful, so please take the time to enjoy yourself, treat yourself and love yourself!

I was actually diagnosed with bipolar years ago. Spent my whole life fighting bipolar. I suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

what really amazes me is the fact that almost all bipolars are gifted mostly at music and they're uterly creative in an unbelievable way

I'm 37 years old. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, depression, intermittent explosive disorder and generalized anxiety at different stages of my life. In my 20's I got addicted to pills which led to IVing heroin...all in an attempt to escape the noise my brain creates. Heroin really took a lot from me but I managed to clean up from it 5 years ago. In addition to the other setbacks i face, I now also suffer from some pretty rough PTSD from slamming my body with needles for so many years... the horrors of going through withdrawls...overdosing and being found just moments before I almost took my last breathe...My life feels like a never ending horror movie and no amount of pills has ever helped for me sadly. The only thing that truly helps me get through the day is having something to be passionate about. Music, drums, and the art of creating in general has always been something to keep me going. I don't know why I typed all this. I'm having a really bad night. I hate this. To anyone else hurting, I'm there with you. Feel my spirit.

I've been bipolar all my life and everyday is a never ending roller-coaster. My relationships struggle because it's hard for me to open up about it because no one gets it. When I explain my disability people brush it off but when I show symptoms of mood swings they just say I'm an asshole or crazy. It's why so many people suffering from severe bipolar like me are suicidal.

Bipolar sufferer, level II here. It's absolute hell to be honest.

Most of them who don't know they are bipolar are the unfortunate ones. I was one of them.

I'm not bipolar, but I grew up with my bipolar mother and it has taken its toll on me. His routine seems very healthy and organized.

Treating bipolar disorder is definitely a must. I'm trying to get out of quite a long depressive phase, but getting medication has helped me not consider suicide.

I’m so proud and moved by Maarten. He is such a light, God bless him.

Not everyone is affected the same way. No amount of exercise gets rid of my depression when I’m down. I hate it when people try to make me feel less because they can treat their sickness better than I.

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in August 1998, and for me it's been up and down. It can be quite a struggle. Initially I found it hard to accept myself for it, but I learned little by little. Life isn't easy, but that doesn't mean there's no hope. What makes it easier to accept myself for my bipolar disorder is knowing that there are people with it who live very productive lives and do well just like I am. That and there are famous people with mental illnesses as well. As long as I take my medication and stuff, I'll be all right.

Coming out as a bipolar or anything like that is not easy. He has already beaten his negative energy in some way by openly talking about it and bringing that idea across to more people. It’s important to let those suffering from bipolar disorder know that. More importantly, for those with a healthy mind, being there and listening will encourage more sufferers to come out and bring out their best in them. Nice one!

Diagnosed with bipolar 1 at age 47 last year. Explains everything. But now I feel so much regret for bad decisions and ending important relationships. It’s so hard to deal with.

My Brother committed suicide because of Bipolar recently. He never told any of our family members including me. I always wondered why, why wouldn’t you say anything bro. We were always there to help no matter what. So the message I learned is just speak up and talk to closed ones, open up. Because you have no idea what family goes through after losing their intelligent and happy son.

Thank you so much for this video been suffering all my life and just getting help in 2020 at age 48 diagnosed with Bipolar 2 such a relief to know that I'm not alone I always felt like an outsider but videos like this really help😀

As someone who is getting help with my diagnosis, and with living with my bipolar my whole life and not understanding why I always felt so intolerable at times. This has helped me understand and welcome my mental health more openly.

I got diagnosed with bipolar one year ago when i had my first manic phase with a psychosis. i felt suicidal for months but im feeling stable now. taking meds twice a day, seeing my psychiatrist every second week, trying to work out regularly and speaking openly about it helps me a lot. this documentary inspired me, thank you!

Thank you for sharing with us Maarten. Wish you the best!