My Bipolar Journey and Making the Conversation Easier
By: Emily Squance
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio – Mental illness has no preference to size, race, or even gender. Unfortunately, many people struggle with their mental health in silence. In more recent years, it has become a comfortable topic for some, but oftentimes there is still a stigma associated with it.
Background
Growing up, I never had any personal experience with mental illness (or so I thought). I struggled with some anxiety in high school, but I quickly managed it with proper coping mechanisms. I was thankful to have a family that encouraged me to talk about my mental health instead of keeping it inside. My grandma, in particular, was someone I felt very comfortable around. I admired her ability always to look her best despite what our family might have been going through.
![My grandmother - Elizabeth Duffy](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Elizabeth-Duffy-300x245.png)
Until her passing, I was unfamiliar with bipolar disorder and how it affected my family. I didn’t realize my grandma had been struggling with it her whole life. She was in a constant battle with her mind – but never let it show.
The Beginning
A couple of years went by after my grandma’s passing, and it was time to start the next chapter of my life at Ohio University. When I first came to Athens, I loved every second of it. I made many friends and felt like I was finally starting to find my place in the world. However, as my time at Ohio University progressed, I noticed a change in my mental health.
Towards the end of my sophomore year, and beginning of junior year, I started to feel restless and not like myself. I would go through periods where I would have a lot of energy: be fine one minute, and then cry the next. I tried to talk to my friends about these feelings, but they never seemed to understand.
The Diagnosis
With the help of a psychiatrist, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Together we came to realize that online therapy could be beneficial. Unfortunately, finding a good therapist that I connected with proved to be challenging. Thankfully, after a long search, I was able to find one that I still see today.
With the help of my therapist, I’ve been able to manage my symptoms easily. In addition, I’m thankful for my mom
![My online therapy appointment](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Therapy-Appt-300x134.png)
and her knowledge of the disorder because, together, we’ve been able to format a plan for my future.
Not every day will be a good day, and not every day will be a bad one. However, I feel like I finally have the tools to recognize the signs of an episode early on. I hope to build a support system with this and inspire others to normalize the conversation about mental health.