Mental Health: Living with Bipolar Disorder

I'm bipolar type 2. I feel like the main negative thing I've experienced is the destruction of many relationships. Have lost many girlfriends, lost alotta close friends, I feel like I'm treated differently now by the friends I've been able to keep. It destroyed my military career, destroyed my credit and finances, I have a sibling who doesn't talk to me. I've started so many different educational programs and degrees I never finished. I'm so close to finishing an EMT course right now. I'm getting really anxious because it will be the first thing I accomplished since the military. My dream is to be a firefighter/paramedic. I want to help others some way. My biggest fear is that my mental illness will ruin this prospective career.

I have bipolar I disorder and I’ve lost so many close friends during my manic phase. It’s like I’m a completely different person and it’s crazy

Bipolar is the worst thing that's happened to me. 😔

I'm Bipolar type 1, and what really helped me was consistent therapy combined with the right meds. Stability is possible! Really enjoyed this video

OMGOODNESS, I know the feeling. I went through so much meditation before finding 3 just to help take the edge off. I still have episodes, just not as bad sometimes. I still get heaviness in the chest sometimes just not as bad bad. Bipolar dealing with trauma can definitely be challenging! Praise God we all are still alive. His word definitely keeps me💞💯

Thank you for making an accurate representation of bipolar disorder. We're often portrayed in the media as serial killers, abusers, and so forth. In actuality We're everyday people with serious mental health struggles

I can’t even get out of bed for hours after waking up during my depressive episodes

I always cry before sleeping, almost everyday.

My hope is that people are more compassionate for people with mental illness I’ve always longed for a friend who excepts me for it and cares for me

Anyone else here for tips on how to handle their own Bipolar?

So I’m not the only person to keep planners!! I love my planner. It does really help me keep in check with those manic episodes 📚 I been struggling with mental illness for over a decade! Just gotta keep LIVING 🌎 (even thru this quarantine time)

I was super scared before watching this, I'm in the process of getting see a psychiatrist for my confirmation and whatever comes after that and I was kinda shocked because I had originally horn to the doctor because I thought that I had ADHD when in actuality I was just having a manic episode, fast thoughts and speaking, irritation, no need sleep, weird focus patterns (not being able to focus on anything or not being able to stop focusing on something), and feeling like I could do anything with no consequence, it was shortly after that that my mood just plummeted which was a shock to my friends and family. But now I feel slightly more secure.

is talking really helps? my current situation makes me trying to push everyone even my own family.. it feels upsetting to listen to any advise, i just feel like i want the earth to swallow me alive.

You make me cried because I’m just like you ... from good to bad to no body to strange in me ... I’m dealing with it every single day .. insomnia take all bench meds no sleep night time ...

Very insightful. Thank you for letting us in. Wishing you both the best!

Thank you for sharing this video, I wish there were more research and techniques to help those who are battling Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2.

Thank you VICE Asia loving and feeling this story.

Bi polar disorder feels like living two lives totally different.

One bone of contention: bipolar one means you've had a manic episode while bipolar 2 has only had hypomanic states. Bipolar 1 can be predominately in the depressed stage with mania only coming once in a while

I’m bipolar 2 and I go to a therapist once a month but after that I have zero support from my wife and family. They don’t understand it and don’t care. I feel like I’m all alone dealing with this all by myself. I feel like I’m the family freak. In the city I live in I can’t find one support group in the whole city. You would think that there would be but there’s not!! That would be very helpful.