Addressing the more difficult and less discussed aspects of bipolar disorder, such as the high suicide rates associated with the condition, the severe impacts of depressive episodes, and societal stigma & discrimination is never easy. However, in today's episode, we ask ourselves, candidly, do podcasts like this one ignore the “ugly” side of bipolar disorder? What about mental health speakers, writers, and influencers? Has the desire to put a positive spin on the harsh reality of mental illness gone too far?
Our hosts want to acknowledge the complexity of addressing bipolar disorder and its consequences while still providing hope and encouragement to those affected. This episode was inspired by a listener's email. As always, we encourage feedback and topic suggestions. Send them to Show@psychcentral.com.
To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.
He is also the host of Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast available on your favorite podcast player. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.
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Exploring the Gritty and Ugly Sides of Bipolar

Join Gabe, who lives with bipolar, and Dr. Nicole, a board certified psychiatrist, as they explore the spectrum of this misunderstood illness. They tackle bipolar disorder using real world examples, the latest research, and just enough funny to keep you intrigued.

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We discuss the challenges people face when needing to find a new psychiatrist, therapist, or support group, emphasizing that while people often underestimate the difficulty of this process, it's a crucial step in managing a long-term mental illness.
We highlight that a solid patient-provider relationship is vital and can take time to replace a trusted professional. Dr. Nicole Washington advises on the importance of maintaining an updated medical history and being active in transitioning to a new clinician to ensure continuity of care. 
Gabe Howard and Dr. Washington also emphasize the effect of suddenly losing a medical professional due to retirement, relocation, or other reasons and offer guidance on smoothly transitioning to a new clinician, reassuring listeners that it's normal to experience a range of emotions during this process.
You wouldn't consider your psychiatrist your friend, your therapist, your friend, but it very much feels like you've lost someone very important. Someone who was very valuable in your journey with your bipolar disorder. And all of a sudden now they're gone. You can feel just as much grief as if you lost a loved one, because you've poured so much into that person and that relationship. These are deep relationships, so don't feel silly about why am I so sad? Don't minimize the importance and the value that relationship brings to you. So take the time to grieve that loss. ~Dr. Nicole Washington

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

Our Host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.
To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and TikTok at @askabipolar. 

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
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Losing Your Provider: Navigating the Therapeutic Relationship from Beginning to End

Today we discuss the importance of forming a supportive partnership with loved ones managing bipolar disorder without it devolving into a codependent relationship. We also discuss how important it is for our friends and family members not to micromanage or infantilize those living with bipolar. 
We emphasize the value of open communication so loved ones can express their fears and concerns and provide encouragement and positive interaction beyond the illness.
Finally, the hosts encourage sharing this episode to help foster understanding and improve the support system for those living with bipolar disorder.
To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.
“One of the reasons that you might not be invited in the room is because of you, and because of the way that you have talked to your loved ones, the way that you keep asking that fully loaded question of have you taken your meds, the way that you are constantly fussing at them like they're still a teenager in your home. Those might be the reasons that they don't let you get involved. Maybe if you felt like more a part of their team, as opposed to still their parent or some person in authority, they might be a little more willing to let you in when it comes to those kinds of things.” ~Dr. Nicole Washington

Our Host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.
He is also the host of Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast available on your favorite podcast player. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Our Host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.
Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Navigating Family Support: The Partnership Paradigm with Bipolar Disorder

Dispelling myths surrounding bipolar disorder can be challenging, especially considering its diverse presentation among individuals. In this episode, Gabe and Dr. Nicole delve into these misconceptions, emphasizing the varied nature of the disorder's symptoms and the complexities involved in diagnosis and treatment. While acknowledging the importance of medication, they stress the holistic approach necessary for effective management, including therapy, support networks, and coping mechanisms. 
Additionally, they confront the misconception that loved ones are powerless in supporting individuals with bipolar disorder. Tune in now to gain a deeper understanding of bipolar disorder and learn the truths versus the lies. 
To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.
“. . . And that is probably one of the most dangerous myths. And really, it has its claws into all of the other myths, that this is somehow simple. And I, I'm, I'm, I'm terrified that people believe it's simple, especially for our loved ones and for our people diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Because if they don't realize how complicated this is, and they don't realize how much work they need to do and how difficult this is going to be, then they might not be prepared for what's ahead.” ~Gabe Howard, Host

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.
He is also the host of Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast available on your favorite podcast player. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.
Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Busting Bipolar Myths: Uncovering the Truths Behind the Lies

Today’s episode discusses the complexities and reality of mood stabilizers for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Though mood stabilizers can significantly aid in shifting mood, they are not perfect and come with various side effects, some of which may require regular blood monitoring and can affect daily life differently for each individual. You can work with healthcare professionals to manage side effects, and sometimes, you can even find the positives in the challenges of treatment.
To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.
He is also the host of Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast available on your favorite podcast player. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.
Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mood Stabilizers: Unraveling the Mysteries of These Medications

Many people with bipolar disorder miss the feeling of mania despite its destructive nature. Today, we discuss the complexity of treating bipolar disorder, emphasizing the importance of patience, concrete examples of symptoms, and the fact that medication can help stabilize and potentially hinder a patient's cognitive functions. Gabe and Dr. Nicole both agree on the need for people with bipolar disorder to be strong self-advocates, involve support systems, and work closely with their healthcare professionals to achieve stability and recovery.
To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.
He is also the host of Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast available on your favorite podcast player. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.
Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exploring the Gritty and Ugly Sides of Bipolar

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