The fact that you have made it this far is a testament to your strength & resiliency. You are an inspiration, and you are NOT alone.
Each time I publish an article on bphope, I look forward to the influx of comments it will generate. More often than not, they are hopeful, helpful, kind, and encouraging. And what stands out the most to me is the amount of experiences we all seem to share. Those of us with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder tend to have three things in common:
- High intelligence and/or creativity
- A feeling of disconnect from the mainstream culture
- Experience with often indescribable suffering
Of course, we all have different experiences with bipolar disorder, but the comments left on articles here show me that we share more commonalities than differences.
What I want to say to all of you with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (and perhaps to myself, though it is often difficult to speak so kindly to myself) is that you are incredible. You have been through so much and continue to get out of bed each day. And on the days you feel you cannot get out of bed, you keep going anyway. You help others who are hurting, sometimes even to the detriment of your own feelings. You are kind and compassionate and funny and intelligent. The episodes you have do not make you any less of these things. In most cases, the episodes make you even more kind and compassionate, funny and intelligent.
Please continue to be a beacon of light and hope for those who are suffering. Please continue to use your experiences to add more love and understanding to the world. Please be kind to yourself, as kind as you are to others.
Never give up, and never fear that you are alone. Our experiences with bipolar disorder connect us and we will be a part of this tribe for the rest of our lives. Why not make the best of it by connecting with others and building each other up? You may be surprised to learn that sometimes you are the only voice of hope that someone else has.