I have struggled at different points in my life. When I was younger, I struggled with alcohol addiction, but i’ve gotten through it with AA and various other supports, and I learned that I am actually Bipolar as well. When I tried to seek support for being Bipolar, however, I found the medical system just tried to push medications on me that I had terrible reactions to.
Over the years, i’ve found better ways to cope that work for me. I’ve learned self advocacy is key, and that you need to learn to stand up for yourself. I’ve found a counsellor and more natural remedies to help me cope.
I now have a good handle on things. I know how to catch my symptoms early…when I feel hypomania coming on, I become more aware and perceptive. I become very light and sleep sensitive and become highly emotional, direct and persistent. But through breathing exercises, meditation, and orthomolecular treatments I am able to find more balance, which i’ve also learned needs to be a fluid thing. What I need changes throughout the seasons, and what is going on in my life, and being able to accept that helps me move forward.
Turning to nature and the animals also helps…it grounds me. I’ve also realized over time that it wasn’t until I reached out to my community that I got support back. Talking from the heart works. And that’s why I want to continue to share my story.