Bipolar disorder, sometimes referred to as manic depression, is characterized by manic mood swings and intense periods of euphoria and dysphoria. It can be bewildering and difficult to understand for those diagnosed with it, but there are many bloggers talking about and sharing their experiences. Whether you know someone with bipolar disorder or you’re looking for a community, there are resources you should explore.
Here are fifteen blogs on bipolar disorder:
1. Bipolar Burble
You might recognize Natasha Tracy’s blog from our article on mental health blogs. She writes on difficult topics like emotional pain regulating, dealing with the holidays while mentally ill, and even what emotional blackmail can look like in a relationship when one person suffers from bipolar disorder. Recognizing how your actions affect others, she writes, is crucial to understanding how to change your attitude for the better. “It’s possible the person may be doing it without truly understanding how damaging and devastating it is. If this is the case, the person with bipolar will work to change their behavior and communication techniques. This might take more than a conversation, though, this might take the help of a therapist.”
2. International Bipolar Foundation
IBPF was created in 2007 by four parents whose children were diagnosed with bipolar disorder. They resolved to curate resources and advocate for mental health concerns to help other families. The blog is filled with stories from patients and professionals alike. Contributor Stacey Isaacson shared that she spent years thinking her emotional nature was something to be controlled, only for her therapist to correct her. “And here is the revolutionary (to me) thought that she shared: feeling things strongly isn’t bad. Emotions aren’t the enemy. They allow for my extraordinary empathy, part of what makes me a caring and considerate friend… Strong feelings are not my kryptonite, they’re my superpower.”
3. bpHope
This online community is actually part of bp Magazine, which strives to provide resources and increase awareness and advocacy for bipolar patients. Their blog is filled with first-hand accounts, inspirational features, and the latest medical news on bipolar disorder. Bloggers write on issues about their daily lives, from relationships, parenting, stigma, and more. A good place to start? Blogger Brooke Baron’s “ask me anything” style blog where she answers common questions about bipolar disorder from those who don’t have it.
4. Bipolar Happens
Author and bipolar blogger Julie Fast has been dealing with her bipolar disorder for a long time. She created a system to help others get things done, be present in relationships, and even get out of bed every day because that’s what she needed. Now, she uses her blog to communicate with her friends and family so they better understand what her diagnosis means.
“My mother, brother, father, friends, health care professionals, audience members, and clients now understand the illness and know they can depend on me,” she writes. “They don’t have to worry that I will underperform or destroy our relationships. (We have all been there!).”
5. Time to Change
Time to Change works to end mental health discrimination so everyone can live healthy, fulfilling lives without shame or judgment. Blogs are written by those dealing with bipolar disorder, making it easier to share stories and hopefully, reduce the stigma surrounding it. “By talking openly, our bloggers hope to increase understanding around mental health, break stereotypes and take the taboo out of something that – like physical health – affects us all.”
6. Kitt O’Malley
Blogger Kitt O’Malley hopes her blog “offers support, educates, and fights stigma against those living with mental illness.” After struggling with depression and undiagnosed bipolar disorder for twenty years, O’Malley now uses her blog to document her journey, including how she’s dealing with grief amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. “I cannot predict when or what I’ll be writing next. I cannot predict when I’ll return to mental health advocacy or actively communicate with others on social media. I’m still here, alive and well, just quietly so.”
7. Jennifer Marshall
Jennifer Marshall is a public speaker, yogi, nonprofit executive, and someone who deals with bipolar disorder. After suffering a series of manic episodes that eventually got her diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she now blogs her story to help others find healing.
Marshall’s blog often talks about her dreams of a family, something her diagnosis makes all the more complicated. Still, her blog is about hope. “I have learned so much from my journey thus far and hope that by sharing my experiences I can help other women who may be wondering if they’ll ever be able to make their dreams of a family a reality. You can – I am living proof that it is possible. I take medication and have regular appointments with my psychiatrist and therapist because these are my responsibilities to myself and my family. My incredible support system helps me to live fully and I attribute a great deal of my success to their encouragement over the years.”
8. The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive
Irish blogger Seaneen started her blog after her bipolar diagnosis in 2007. Since then, she’s written for the Guardian, One in Four Magazine, Independent, The Observer, and even a column on BBC Ouch. She also runs a mental health podcast.
Seaneen’s style is a little tongue-in-cheek, made evident by how she describes her start. “This blog was initially started for my benefit so I could wank on about mental health stuff and not annoy my friends. However, over the years I acquired lovely readers and friends who were walking the labyrinth with me, and who have supported me, cheered me, and chided me when necessary.”
9. John McManamy
McManamy is an award-winning mental health journalist and author. He’s been researching bipolar disorder for more than 19 years now, something he does for others just as much as he does for himself. “Here, you will find more than 150 articles, plus 26 videos, that will give you greater insight into your thoughts and feelings and behaviors and help you make your own choices in getting well and staying well,” he writes.
McManamy’s blog is equal parts, history, science, and personal stories. Articles discuss everything from Abraham Lincoln’s depressive episodes to bipolar sex life.
10. Psych Central
Psych Central is a hub for a variety of mental health resources and issues, including tests to quizzes to help you better understand your mental illness. While their blog covers a variety of topics, we especially appreciate this article on managing bipolar disorder that quotes author and bipolar blogger, Julie Fast: “It’s not like other illnesses. It’s sneaky and dangerous if you don’t watch it all of the time.” She compares it to type I diabetes. “People with diabetes can’t mess around – ever. I can’t either.”
11. OC87 Recovery Diaries
Bud Clayman started this blog, titled after his OCD and how transformative 1987 was for him in his mental health journey, for others to share their stories of healing and managing their mental illness. “That year, 1987, later became known as Obsessive-Compulsive 87; the year when I tried to control everything and everyone,” he writes. “Luckily, my plan never worked because, if it had, or if I had believed fully in it, I would have continued to go severely psychotic.”
Every blog is written by someone dealing with bipolar disorder, from hospitalizations to tackling agoraphobia. Ultimately, OC87 is about finding healing and community.
12. H2H
Halfway2Hannah is written by Hannah Blum, a mental health activist, and writer who suffers from bipolar disorder. She started her blog in 2016 hoping to empower others and speak on mental health issues.
Topics include necessary information on suicide statistics, self-love, and dealing with mental health issues in relationships. Her “Letter to the World” is a poignant message to those who know little about bipolar or mental health in general. “What you see in the media, in the news, and in the movies is a false portrayal. It’s a lie that contributes to the stigma that has caused many of us to struggle, even taken lives. I ask that you be aware and conscious of what you believe in the media.”
13. Purplepersuasion
Charlotte Walker has been blogging since about 2013 on her bipolar diagnosis. She’s also been writing for Mad Covid, an online magazine for those dealing with mental health issues in the ongoing pandemic.
This one’s more personal than others — Walker writes a lot about advocacy and mental health awareness. But she also shares how she wakes up with depression and suicidal thoughts from time to time. “Everything became a struggle. Sometimes even lifting a fork to my mouth felt like too much effort. I had no motivation and woke up every morning wondering how on earth I was going to get through each long, long day until I could go to sleep again.”
14. Mental Health Foundation
This UK-based foundation is structured all-around education and prevention. They educate and inform so that mental health issues are addressed before they become a significant problem to someone struggling.
Their blog is full of advice for all kinds of mental health issues. We especially appreciate this first-hand account of what it’s like to live with bipolar disorder. “My first major episode had a big impact on my life,” one man wrote. “I lost my job, my marriage broke down, I struggled with relationships and lost any sense of who I was. At times suicide seemed the only real option. Fortunately, recovery and relearning about myself has brought its rewards and I have a good life today.”
15. National Alliance on Mental Alliance (NAMI)
We’ve mentioned NAMI before, but we’d be remiss to not mention specifically their Bipolar Section of their blog. From a blog on one wife’s emotions during her husband’s bipolar episodes: “I’m trying to be the best support system I can be for my husband while working full time and being a mother of three sweet babies. I feel like I’m failing sometimes, trying to keep the household together, trying to be a good wife and mom. I want to be as supportive as possible, but I don’t want to lose myself in the process. For now, it’s day by day, one step at a time through this wary and winding journey of emotions.”
Find a Therapist for Bipolar Disorder
With treatment and therapy, those with bipolar disorder can live fulfilling and healthy lives. A therapist can help those with bipolar navigate difficult emotions and find a treatment plan that works for them. If you’re ready to find a therapist in your area, check our directory today.
