Dear friends and other interesting creatures,
It is a well-known fact, and the punchline of many jokes and silly conversations behind my back, that I do have bipolar disorder. I feel pity for ignorance.
I was diagnosed at 14 years of age with manic depression and over the years the medical fraternity came up with a new word to scare people. Bipolar! Bring the holy water!
I want the stigma removed and by being open about it, I know from the emails I receive, that it helps others come to terms with mental health. Climbing and admitting there is a mountain obscuring your positive view, is brave and courageous, not mental asylum potential.
Nobody looks the least bit shocked or horrified when I say I am also diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. It seems your bones fusing and your soft tissue cells attacking each other is just dandy…. Just please don’t add depression, then people fear what they don’t understand.
I’Il take my medication religiously, but it is no guarantee for a free ride. Oh hell no! That would be way too easy.
I have rapidly cycled. Quick ups and downs.
The ups are unbelievable. Your brain is 100% in overdrive and your thoughts are clear, quick to the point and you kick productivity in overdrive. You are bullet proof. It is my favourite stage as it is with most bipolar patients. Powerful. It is to be alive with all your senses firing on all cylinders.
The downs are dark and you get there fast. Stay in bed, head under duvet kind of dark. Not eating. Not talking. Silent. Sometimes tearful, other times howling at the moon crying or plainly feeling numb to the world at large. It is horrible. Yet to meet one of my kind who likes this phase, however if you channel that pain, by far the most creative. You write deeply. Real. You reach people. Those that draw produces unbelievable pieces of art. Music is raw. Acoustic. Deep. Breath-taking.
It is documented that many creative creatures have bipolar. I am drawn to the arts like the smell of fresh Kitka to a Jew on Fridays (that includes me). I become alive and the bravery, vulnerability and generous giving of a performer fills me like a sponge. I cry at many performances for it touches an open raw wound. It is a beautiful mind.
There are those that think you must simply decide to feel better and you are better. Positive thoughts I believe in… but good luck with curing cancer!
Bipolar, depression and anxiety is treatable and can be managed. Being suicidal is not like riding a unicorn at all. Get help brave heart*.
*Call the Cipla SADAG free helpline on 0800 456 789
I wish you enough,
Wenchy
- #DONTLabelMe
- #ItsOKtoTalk
- #ItsOKtoAsk
- #ItsOKNotToBeOK
- #StopTheStigma
- #mentalhealth
- #depression
- #hope
- #whatif
Nocturnal Wenchy 
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