Written by:
Sandra Calzadilla
LMHC
Written by:
Sandra Calzadilla
LMHC
Bipolar disorder is marked by episodes of mania to episodes of depression. These episodes can wreak havoc on a person’s mental health and overall well-being. Those with bipolar may be terrified or confused by their symptoms. But mental health conversations online are on the rise, including talking about bipolar disorder.
Whether you’re looking for more information after a recent diagnosis or want to hear from others who have it, here are 15 YouTube channels on bipolar disorder.
1. Polar Warriors
Polar Warriors wants to help not just those living with bipolar disorder, but their families, spouses, and friends as well. It’s run by Robert Whittaker, who suffers from bipolar himself and wanted to create a community.
Videos are informative and aim to educate those suffering from or dealing with the effects. Some of the top videos include looking at symptoms, dealing with hypersexuality, and what you should never say to someone with bipolar.
2. Osmosis
This production company creates video lectures for medical students and digital resources for studying. You can find videos on just about anything, from depression to COVID-19, but their concise, educational video on bipolar disorder, from symptoms to treatment, is a good place to start for anyone navigating a recent diagnosis or looking to assist someone as a caregiver or partner.
3. Aware
This Dublin-based organization started in 1985 to provide support for those struggling with depression and bipolar. Their website is host to resources, information, and support, but you can find past webinars and other events on their YouTube Channel as well. Start with this video on mens’ mental health or past events here.
4. Bipolar Relationships
If you’re the spouse or partner of someone with bipolar disorder and finding it difficult to navigate your relationship, this channel is for you. Travis, whose wife suffers from bipolar, uses his YouTube channel to share relationship and mental health advice from his 15+ years of marriage.
Jump in with his video on what your bipolar spouse wishes you knew.
5. International Bipolar Foundation
IBPF works to provide connections and information for those with bipolar disorder. Their goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding this misunderstood mental illness. You can find past webinars, informative, bite-sized psychology lessons, and even a yoga series on their YouTube channel. We especially appreciate this video on handling the highs and lows of bipolar.
6. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
The DBSA is a national organization that provides wellness and support for those with mood disorders like depression and bipolar. They offer peer-reviewed, wellness-oriented support across multiple channels: local groups, online resources, and in chapters all across America.
Their YouTube channel hosts past events, series on thriving with bipolar, meditations for children, and more.
7. Bipolar Barbie
If you’re looking for more vlog-style videos on what living with bipolar looks like, you’ll appreciate Bipolar Barbie’s frank and honest videos. She’s gone through years of therapy to tackle several of her mental illness, including bipolar, depression, and generalized anxiety disorder, to name a few.
Some of her best videos share what an active bipolar episode looks like and describing low latent inhibition, the way people respond to stimuli.
8. Juliuss
Juliuss is a vlogger focusing on mental health awareness and navigating his bipolar disorder diagnosis. “Mental health is becoming a larger conversation both nationally and globally,” he writes.
“In my opinion, a lot of the conversations have been morphed into a trend that is highly popularized. It’s a “hot topic” – everyone wants to talk about mental health and no one is talking about mental illness.” His vlog-style videos are bright and generally upbeat, offering an approachable conversation to mental illness.
If you’re considering medications to use, you might find his series on mental illness medication helpful, or maybe you’re more curious about dating while having a mental illness.
9. Tracey Marks
We’ve mentioned Tracey Marks before, but as a psychiatrist with more than 20 years of experience, she continues to be an excellent source of information on all things mental health. She has playlists on anger, depression, mood disorders, and lots more on her channel.
For bipolar-specific content, check out her video on whether you’re bipolar or depressed (the two can often be confused for each other) or her list of strategies for managing bipolar disorder.
10. HealthyPlace Mental Health
Healthy Place brings light to mental health and illness by providing education, awareness, and advocacy with their web presence. On their YouTube channel, you can find playlists and videos by specific mental health concerns, from depression to anxiety and yes, bipolar disorder.
Their bipolar playlist follows Hannah, who recently left the Healthy Place team but has still left her vlogs and other videos up for anyone to see. Jump in from the beginning, or check out her video on bipolar support to find more information.
11. TEDx Talks
TEDx Talks are thought-provoking and eye-opening, so it makes sense to talk about bipolar diagnosis on a stage that reaches millions. Some of the most popular videos on bipolar are from those with bipolar themselves, like Laura Bain’s talk on living with bipolar, or Jame Geathers, a human resources professional with bipolar disorder.
TEDx Talks are an engaging and informative way to connect with others’ stories and spread awareness about issues. But if you’re someone looking for information, hands-on experience, or just to know you’re not alone, videos like these are great too.
12. Crash Course
If you’re someone who enjoys learning about new things, bipolar or not, you’ll enjoy this channel. Crash Course produces high-quality education videos for free because they believe everyone should have access to learning new things.
They’ve got everything from study hall series’ on algebra to world history. Their psychology series, however, has several great videos on bipolar disorder, including a great primer to jump right in.
13. SciShow Psych
This psychology-focused channel is actually the sister channel to Crash Course, so if you liked their style but wished they did more videos on the human brain, you’re in luck. They dive deep into bipolar disorder, from why lithium may help to how there’s more than one type of bipolar disorder.
They also have several videos on depression and common symptoms that often crossover with a bipolar diagnosis, which may help you better understand your brain, and why it’s doing what it does, in the long run.
14. Psych2Go
Psych2Go takes mental health concepts and issues and makes them easy to digest. Their fun videos are meant to keep things simple without overloading viewers with psych jargon.
“Instead, we like to provide opportunities where we can have honest discussions about topics, stories, and issues that concern our daily lives,” they share on their site. Check out their video on bipolar symptoms or the difference between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2.
15. Demystifying Medicine
McMaster University created a novel cross-disciplinary 4th-year undergraduate course with the purpose of informing the general public on all things medicine and healthcare, including mental health. They have several videos on bipolar disorder, from living with it to understanding what it means for those you care about.
When to See a Therapist for Bipolar Disorder
If your bipolar episodes are severe enough to affect your everyday life, you may want to consider seeing a therapist. There are plenty of successful treatment options available, including psychotherapy and medication. If you’re ready to get started, look for a therapist in your area today.
Additional Resources
- Mental Health America
- National Alliance on Mental Health
- MentalHealth.gov
- Online Therapist Directory: Sort therapists by specialty, cost, availability and more. Watch intro videos and see articles written by the therapists you’re considering working with. When you’ve found a good match, book an online therapy appointment with them directly.
Are you ready to connect with a therapist but feel a little overwhelmed by all your options? Speak with one of Choosing Therapy’s Client Navigators. Client Navigators are mental health professionals who will listen to what you’re looking for in a therapist and help pair you with the best possible fit. Getting started is free, easy, and confidential.
