August 02, 2023

Bipolar II Disorder: Misdiagnosis, Stigma & Telling My Story | Sara Schley | EP 36 🦋

42 minutes

Author Sara Schley recounts her story of living with bipolar II disorder - from her first episode of depression in college, to publishing her memoir after keeping it a secret for over 40 years. Sara also breaks down why people with bipolar II disorder are commonly misdiagnosed, her upcoming film on bipolar disorder - BrainStorm, and the life lessons she practices to live well with bipolar disorder. Hosted by Dr. ⁠Erin Michalak⁠.

(00:00) Intro
(01:23) Depression and the Early Years
(04:19) The "Family Disease"
(06:05) Misdiagnosing Bipolar II - "Why Am I Still Depressed?"
(12:05) Ways to Prevent Relapse
(14:21) Practice "PECS" to Stay Well
(21:26) 4 Ways to Support Someone with Bipolar Disorder
(27:00) Telling My Story After 40 Years - "Melting Off the Shame"
(30:11) Sara’s Memoir: BrainStorm
(32:35) BrainStorm the Film

Sara Schley is the author of the acclaimed memoir, BrainStorm: From Broken to Blessed on the Bipolar Spectrum. She is a business consultant, speaker, and author who has led organizational transformations at renowned companies around the world. Sara is a mother, grandmother, community leader, and has been married to a great guy for twenty-six years. She also has a Bipolar II brain, on the Bipolar Spectrum. Sara has kept this mostly a secret for four decades. Until now. She is choosing to tell her riveting story – from broken to blessed – to save lives, end stigma, and optimize healing for millions. Sara is also a writer and producer of BrainStorm – an upcoming film inspired by her memoir.

More on this episode: ⁠https://talkBD.live/bipolar-ii-disorder⁠

#talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast

talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder.

Learn more about talkBD: ⁠https://talkBD.live

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