#135: Why is “Stability” a Four-Letter Word with Bipolar Diagnoses?

Image Credit: Original equine art by 1194 Designs by Ashley and Tim Purdin (2020). Acrylic and spackling on canvas. 30" x 48".

FROM THIS SHOW:

One question hits you in the face every day you wake up—or couldn’t fall asleep again—because of a bipolar disorder diagnosis: “Will I ever be Stable?” Have you ever said it out loud?

You’re normal, if that’s the case!

This sentiment captures EXACTLY what it's like to live in the sinking reality that stability is not the goal.

It’s the managing of one’s Self to stay as near to that shifting goal post as possible with a brain that doesn’t enjoy being “chill” or in “neutral”.

What’s worse is putting in such care and time and effort, and finding the courage to defy the odds and learn all about the triggers for impairments in your special bipolar brain—only to get slammed with another episode of manic depression, psychosis (or what have you) that always seem to tag on to the illness.

How on earth are you supposed to maintain HOPE in the midst of this mess?

On today’s special show, Ashley from the podcast “Tribe” leadership team joins us to share her story about doing all the million little “things” she’s supposed to do to be healthy—yet this can be so elusive.

In telling her story she opens up the curtains for anyone who’s sitting in the darkness waiting for a new day to dawn in their mental wellness and quality of life.

Here’s a hint: It doesn’t come from within.

You don’t want to miss it!

Listen to the podcast:

Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts!  With every past episode at your fingertips, plus special Bonus Content with my guests, what's not to love! And if you're feeling generous, would you please leave me a review? It is a special treat to read each and every one of them. Just write about your favorite part of the show! :-) 

TAKEAWAYS

• Coming to terms with the real story of your health diagnosis of bipolar is a difficult one no matter which way you try to come at it and piece it together. It’s like being swallowed by a whale and spit up on a beach days or weeks later after rolling around in the belly of a fish. It’s VERY disorienting to experience manic depression, especially your first few major episodes.

• If your personal story has a faith component (in God’s care and abilities to comfort you), it is especially difficult to navigate the hurts and misunderstandings of those who are supposed to be caring and interested in your health, but so far have put you down in your faith journey for one reason or another.

• Manic episodes leave you so extremely single-minded on a goal, that to walk away from the aftermath is a huge gut punch that’s hard to recover from. But getting back away from that and finding ways to reconnect with a slower pace of life and people who operate at a normal pace is going to be a practice that saves you YEARS (or more) of heartache and repeated failures.

Lifer Discussion Guide

Use the questions in today’s Lifer Guide to assist you over any hurdles you may have to clear as you address your mental health. These are special conversations!

“Lifers” are people who have unwavering faithfulness. This assures you that they’ll stick by you through all the highs and lows that are normal for a life with mental health challenges. If you haven’t nominated a lifelong family member or friend as part of your non-medical support team, what are you waiting for? :-)

The Questions:

1) If someone asks you to share your story of having bipolar symptoms and episodes, where would you logically start them out?

2) Do you remember any “super goal-oriented” behaviors you had while in a manic state? / Can you find any humor in them or is it still too recent and raw?

3) What’s your immediate body reaction feel like when I say the word, (take a second to say it), “Pause”.

4) What has you feeling like you cannot “pause” and reset your life tempo and pacing of goals and the future “you” that you still want?

5) May I speak permission over you to help you “Pause” when we’re together? No agendas, no pressures—just friends loving friendships?

Join the Tribe!

Once you’ve had a chance to talk or journal about these things you might have a question from this episode. If so, make sure you head on over to The Bipolar Now Podcast Network on Facebook! There’s quite a few people over there who are also taking a new step in their mental health. And we’d love for you to share your story with us when you’re ready. So don’t miss out!