Learning to live well with bipolar disorder

My twenties were a rollercoaster I did not understand. There were months where I felt unstoppable — I would start companies, work twenty-hour days, make grand plans. Then there were months where I could barely get out of bed. I thought I just had an extreme personality.

The depressive episodes started getting worse in my late twenties. During one particularly dark period, my mother found Mindincare and essentially booked the appointment for me. I am grateful she did.

Dr. Ayesha diagnosed Bipolar II after a careful evaluation. It explained everything — the highs I had always celebrated were actually hypomania, and the crashes were severe depressive episodes.

The mood stabiliser we found took a few adjustments to get right. Dr. Ayesha was patient and transparent throughout — explaining every change, explaining the rationale, involving me in every decision.

What changed most was my understanding of myself. I learned my warning signs. I learned what triggers an episode. I built a lifestyle that supports stability — sleep schedule, reduced caffeine, regular exercise, and the ability to say no to things.

Fourteen months on, I have not had a major episode. I work. I have relationships. I have plans — realistic ones. Bipolar disorder is something I manage, not something that controls me.