Kay Redfield Jamison (born October 14, 1946) is an American clinical psychologist and writer who is one of the foremost experts on bipolar disorder as well as suffering from the disorder since her early adulthood. She is Professor of Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and is an Honorary Professor of English at the University of St Andrews.
Education and career
I’m a 32 year old female with Bipolar Disorder I who was 27 when initially diagnosed. Because I am rapid cycling ninety percent of the time, sleep only once or twice a week and have battled in the past with drinking habits that bordered on those of an alcoholic, you would think that my story is that of defeat. But I’ve overcome my Bipolar and am successfully managing my illness today.
Do you know what self sabotage is? I’ve known many people to do this.
and
“On the afternoon of November 14th 1996 I gave homeless people $3,000 in hundred dollar bills before walking naked down the main street in Toronto and through a department store. It was -1°C outside. Normally I am a modest person who gives spare change to the less fortunate and wears warm clothes in cold weather – so my actions require further explanation.” Keith Mahar – on recovery from Bipolar disorder
MICHELLE CEDILLO, AND MICHAEL CEDILLO, AND NATURAL GUARDIANS OF),
Petitioners-Appellants,
People affected by mood disorders or depression often rely on drugs or alcohol instead of seeking treatment. While they may not know they have a treatable condition, they will use stimulants and other substances to change the way they are feeling. This often causes even more problems when the effects of the alcohol or drugs wear off, prompting bouts of depression.
Alcohol
The goal of bipolar treatment is full recovery.
It is very hard to tell people that I have bipolar disorder. The reason for this is that a lot of people just assume that you are crazy. The truth is that you are not and it is difficult to hear someone say this. I personally have bipolar disorder.
Because I have the disorder I know how cruel people can really be. It is not fun to have bipolar disorder and then have to explain to people why you feel the way you do, or explain why you act like you do sometimes.
The following are personal accounts of individuals with mental health challenges , bipolar disorder to unipolar depression, as it relates to their employ-ability, career, and work experiences.
You, a bipolar, have the potential to develop all sorts of positive traits to a greater extent than other people. So for heaven’s sake develop some of them and use them. Find creative ways to calm yourself down when you’re manic or hypomanic. Use your sense of humor, your guts, your inner strength, whatever you’ve got. Avoid known triggers to your illness. Comply with treatment. Seek and trust the input and advice of a close circle of family and friends. Respond early to signs of pending instability by seeing your Dr. and mental health team. Be proactive in your illness rather than reactive.
A woman, living with bipolar disorder, describes what it feels like to be hypomanic and manic.
In short, I am sharing my story to help others. I have opened myself up because people have written to me and requested I relate more about my experiences and myself. Thanks for your interest! 
Some things here I have never told anyone, not even members of my own family. This was a difficult decision to make, but I hope it will help someone somehow.
The aggravated agony of depression is terrifying, and elation, its non-identical twin sister, is even more terrifying – attractive as she may be for a moment. You are grandiose beyond the reality of your creativity.
~Joshua Logan~American theatrical and film director and writer
People with bipolar disorder do better when they have support from family members and friends. Those whose loved ones are involved and supportive tend to recover more quickly, experience fewer manic and depressive episodes, and have milder symptoms.
Relapsing and remitting illnesses like bipolar mood disorder places strains on family and friends. In the case of casual or short-term acquaintances of th bipolar patient, one may be left mystified by some of the bahaviors and/or emotional instabilities that are seen, experiuences, and observed without ever understanding that what they are observing are signs of an illness (like a cough to a cold) that requires treatment rather than what is assumed to be some character defect in the bipolar patient acquaintance, colleaque, or co-worker.
Julie A. Fast
1. Imbibing too much caffeine. Ah yes, coffee, tea, Mountain Dew, energy drinks and super dark chocolate. They all sure either taste good or give you so called ‘energy.’ The facts are that they don’t give real energy- they pump you up for a while and then either lead to the shakes or a crash. They then cause sleep problems. If you have more than one regular coffee a day, simply ask yourself if it affects your sleep. If it doesn’t, then have it! If, like me, only one iced coffee literally keeps me up all night, then you have to think if it’s worth it. I write about this a lot as I love coffee. I stick to decaf now- well, as much as possible!
Copyright © 2010 Tolerance Lost.