3 Things I've Learned From Having Bipolar Disorder
Photo by Marie Le
What are three things I’ve learned from having bipolar disorder?
1. I become more emotionally aware and in control
I used to have trouble controlling and responding to my emotions - especially when conflicts arise between me and certain relationships. I didn’t know which ways to control my emotions, and I would end up hearing voices and blame myself for being emotional. I didn’t know how to turn to friends and family to help me go through a crisis/panic attack/negative time. But over the years, through the help of medications as well as counselling and psychology, I learnt to be more self aware with my emotions and feelings. I know my limits. When working in mental health, it’s important and vital that I take care of myself and not let myself be triggered by other client’s stories and conversations. I learn to master my breathing, my own mindfulness practice and learn how to relax more.
2. I don’t need the hospital system to recover
I used to rely on the mental health hospital system for support. I would find the most little ways to control my emotions and feelings by checking myself into hospital. Even if I was feeling suicidal 1 out of 10. I didn’t know how to reach out to the community for help and support. I thought that once I was hospitalised into the mental health ward, I would be institutionalised for life. But no- I have changed that. Since the NDIS came out, thankfully and gratefully, I am able to find community support through the NDIS plan. NDIS helped build up my confidence in driving, paid for all my PT, Dietician as well as counselling sessions too. I’m thankful I learnt to reach out for community support, and not the hospital.
3. I become more compassionate on other peoples’ journeys
I swear, having Bipolar has made me put on “Sympathy Glasses”. I learnt that everyone has their struggles. If you have a brain, you have a mental health. Working in mental health for the past two years has helped me look at other people’s emotional and mental pain in a different light. I have to actively listen, and not always say something or always be the “Rescuer”. I noticed that a lot of people come to me, reach out to me I mean- and I tell myself I am there to just listen. They would thank me for listening to them. I have the personality of a people person, and I want to help. It is important for me to recognise that helping someone requires good listening skills too. And I definitely have that.