Steph, This video speaks volumes. I won’t lie I cried the whole video because of how this parallels my own personal experiences so much. I am still trying to figure out my early hypomania episodes that resulted in some off experiences but when I was put on three different anti-depressants all at once and my doctor didn’t read the bipolar signs not only did I lose my townhouse, went bankrupt from over spending by almost $90k, and then there was my job history. I was someone who would stick with a job for years and that was me. I gave 2-4 weeks notice when leaving and here I ended up with 7 different jobs in less than a year and most of which I either just walked out on or gave less than a weeks notice. It was so uncharacteristic of me. I feel so much shame about my job history. Especially with regards to the company I did my best at. I got 5 promotions in 3.5 years doubled my salary and left and moved out of state. Got another great high paying job as a property manager for a luxury apartment building and struggled the whole time with mania. After I left that job in Jan of ‘23 I went downhill. Lasted three weeks at my job that paid $100k+bonuses. Went to another property, last 3 months. Went to a hotel and became a caregiver. I never slept for more that 2-3 hours a day for over 6 months. I just worked worked work and screamed at everyone. It was awful. Left those jobs for one job, last 6 weeks there. Went to a hotel and transferred to a new one 3 months later and here I am. Now I am a full time night auditor at a hotel where I have less interaction with people but I know that if I go manic again and a guest starts getting aggressive with me, I’ll probably walk out or yell back. I know this (in my right mind) is not the way to handle things but as mentioned, your brain just takes over and you literally go psychotic. I have been having mixed episodes up until about a month ago. My depakote was recently upped and that has help tremendously. I hope to stay on track where I am for awhile but I'm barely making ends meet and am definitely make 1/3 of what I made before. Thanks again Steph for making these videos, they really help me feel less alone, especially when reading through the comments.

@BipolarPerson

5 күн бұрын

Unfair, that's what Bipolar is completely unfair. We are at the mercy of doctors in a broken system. I hope one day in the future doctors become more careful about subscribing SSRI's they've hurt so many of us with BP1. I hope the new job works out and the depakote keeps working, thank you so much for your support and sharing your story it means a lot to me and anyone reading. ❤️

This is your best work yet baby girl

What advice would you give to someone who has a loved one who was diagnosed with Bipolar but is in complete denial and won’t take their medication? Sometimes no-contact feels like the safest route but also feels cruel.

@BipolarPerson

6 күн бұрын

Hi!! This is the million dollar question no one knows how to answer. I made a video about 6 months ago, I hope it helps, let me know if not I'll make another one. It's a really really hard to know what to do because everyone might react different, and it really takes a toll on loved ones. You have to take care of yourself but also make sure the person is safe. I hope this helps. kzread.info/dash/bejne/iYmmr7RtpZfUg6Q.htmlsi=ntrBeEFdk-d9xBDH Actually I think I'll make another video more centered around how to support someone in denial that one is more focused on psychosis. Thank you so much!

I seen your brain damage as you spoke of from engorging myself in your videos for the past days you have improved and healing is evident I’m worried about if someone can’t and I know it’s out of my control but I’ve seen you and it does take time it’s heartbreaking

First off, yes, you definitely make us (well, at least me) feel like we're not alone. Thank you for all you do. Keep going! You were the first person I stumbled across and your videos have Really helped me. So thank you! I'm 34 and just got diagnosed this March. Last year I had a BIG mania w/ psychosis episode that lasted 8 months. It was horrible. I got a VERY noticeable face tattoo, arrested 3 times, and a lot more. Second, yeah. it definitely took a toll on my job. I worked for the county I live in for 2 years but it got really bad once my bipolar 1 kicked in for the first time. I live in a tiny community and lets just say a very good percentage of the population here has totally different opinions of me now. So much that I can't get a job anywhere. At least where I live. It's honestly kinda hard to even go out in public now. I'm still at the beginning of my recovery so I have hope that things will get better. You really do help more than you know. Thank you. Have a great one, and YEAH! UPLOAD MORE VIDEOS!!!!! xD Keep going, dude. You rock.

@BipolarPerson

6 күн бұрын

Thank you for sharing this and your support! Man I never even thought of tattoos being a mania left over! It will get better I was humiliated going back to work but if I take a step back anyone judging me they were the one with the problem. It's really is unfair an illness makes people think that's who we are but forget about them I think if you keep trying you'll find someone to give you a break. It does get better with time. ❤️

Thank you for sharing this.

Thank you for sharing your experiences Steph! I agree that structure and exercise is key to managing BP. You look gr8 ... and pls keep playing your music. Best, Sue

@BipolarPerson

6 күн бұрын

Thank you for your encouragement and kind words! ❤️

Thanks, Steph, for your vulnerability and authenticity in normalizing the mental health journey.

you are a very strong person!

I had to quit work this year due to a major depressive episode in 2022 that landed me in hospital for ten weeks. I had switched medication because the old one i was on for 10 years wasn't working as well as it used to anymore. Unfortunately for me the new drug was completely ineffective on me, so it was like i was not taking anything at all. After developing an extreme suicidal mood I just could not go on. It sucks that after 34 years I can't go to work anymore.

@BipolarPerson

7 күн бұрын

I'm glad you survived! I'm sorry you had to quit. I wish more people knew about the true struggle with medication.

Thank you, Steph, for sharing your experiences with jobs and bipolar disorder. I wish there was more public awareness of mental health problems so that your work supervisors would have been more understanding. For me it has been my anger that has caused problems for me in the workplace. I don't know if my anger is caused by bipolar, but it seems likely to me.

@BipolarPerson

6 күн бұрын

Probably, anger is definitely a symptom.

probably best to just get disability and for money try to be self employed on the side. i gave up working years ago

prayers life with this its not easy i am struggling too

Hi Steph, thanks for the new video and sharing your story. It seems that SSRIs are a huge point in starting the "spiral" in people w/bipolar. Would you be willing to make a video about that? Also: I'm curious to know your thoughts on diet, nutrition, and metabolism when it comes to mental illness. Some people have had great results by simply changing how they eat. Others claim it didn't help at all. I dont have bipolar, but my mental health definitely improved Once i cleaned up my diet. Would you be willing to speak on that?

@BipolarPerson

6 күн бұрын

Yes and yes!!! Thank you! 😊

i have Bipolar Disorder and i lost many jobs because of it. im 36 now without any job still i don't have kids. it just i didn't expect the time will go very fast. my degree after 13 year from gradution is nothing plus it is german study. no one want to hire me because im old now

@BipolarPerson

5 күн бұрын

I felt my life was passing me by at some times too because bipolar takes so much time from you. I was in the same place at 36. It will get better. ❤️

I want to talk in person

You can start a nonprofit or whatever we need to have a place where these people can go and get trey

@missyhash3018

4 күн бұрын

Treatment

How long can these episodes last ?! My son is in a facility since June but this has been going on since May and he’s still there …

@BipolarPerson

4 сағат бұрын

Oh no! I'm sorry. It really depends on the person but if he is in a facility and taking medication sometimes the medication can take a month to work and that's good he's getting help.

Hi. If you don’t mind me asking, before your diagnoses 7 years ago were you ever on any medication of any type, for anxiety or ss ris ?

@BipolarPerson

5 күн бұрын

Hi! Yes, when I was really young I was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia and put on meds for that until I had an allergic reaction years later I went to a doctor for depression and I was put on Lexapro (SSRI) which sent me into mania. SSRI's really bad without an antipsychotic for BP1.

@justmadeit2

5 күн бұрын

@@BipolarPerson I don’t have bipolar but do get depression bad and o.c.d too, considering Ssris but in the past felt weird with side effects

@BipolarPerson

5 күн бұрын

There are so many SSRI's there is one that won't have side effects for you don't give up you don't have to suffer. Depression can be dangerous. Medicine can really help.

How do you know if you have brain damage? Reason I'm asking is that I have been wanting to get a brain scan of myself but they claim it doesn't "show anything" 😞

@BipolarPerson

5 күн бұрын

I just believe I do because I spent a long time in mania and after the last episode my memory is really bad. I forget to ask my psychiatrist about it. Doctors don't use brain scans to diagnose but there is evidence that shows a decrease in grey matter in the brains of bipolar individuals. So the longer one is in mania or depression the more grey matter goes away and the more damage is done.

@missyhash3018

4 күн бұрын

I researched brain scans it’s very limited locations yes if your famous etc but you are leading a movement of improved system

TEAM STEPH

@missyhash3018

4 күн бұрын

Just look at your talents

@BipolarPerson

4 күн бұрын

😁❤️thank you!

Screw jobs this is about living life and working it out when you feel people and so much

I recently went manic and bought a brand new car and now I’m left wondering what in the world was I doing or thinking 🫤

@BipolarPerson

6 күн бұрын

Fun times, I've done that too! I hope it's not a financial burden. That's one that's hard to get out of. Thank you for your support! ❤️

@jodygivens58

6 күн бұрын

@@BipolarPerson it is actually and I keep beating myself up over it. It’s like a different person takes over while manic. It’s scary to say the least 😞

@BipolarPerson

6 күн бұрын

Yeah it sucks but don't forget that's a symptom not something you could control so you can't get mad at yourself for that. Just keep going and maybe put a credit hold on your social it's mainly for identity theft protection but it might also help make it harder to get credit on the fly.

@jodygivens58

6 күн бұрын

@@BipolarPerson that’s a good idea. My doctor and I are still trying to find the right medication so it’s touch and go for now. I also have had job issues because of bipolar but I wasn’t aware at the time that I had bipolar. I’ve just come to terms with it. I spent the last two years denying it. Thank you so much for what you do. It helps so much ❤️