Live Well Bipolar ™

Transforming Lives Through Mental Health Advocacy: Julia Belt's Story

The Journey of Finding Yourself: Ginelle Testa's Story

This episode of 'Live Well, Bipolar' features a conversation with Ginelle Testa, an upcoming author. She's a queer, sober, bipolar gal living in Boston.

Ginelle shares her story, from receiving a tentative diagnosis at 16 to facing her darkest moments with multiple hospitalizations and electroconvulsive therapy in 2017.

She discusses the impact of bipolar disorder on her life, including challenges with sobriety, hypersexuality, and finding stability.

Ginelle also talks about writing her memoir 'Make a Home Out of You', which explores finding comfort and value within oneself rather than external sources.

The conversation highlights her journey to self-forgiveness, finding balance and support outside traditional 12-step programs, and achieving personal and professional success despite the challenges of living with bipolar disorder. Ginelle emphasizes the importance of coping mechanisms, community, and perseverance.

Connect with Ginelle on Instagram here and her website here.

00:00 Welcome to Live Well, Bipolar: Introducing Janelle's Journey

01:59 Janelle's Early Encounters with Bipolar Diagnosis

02:48 Navigating Hospitalizations and Finding New Perspectives

06:58 The Impact of Hospitalization and Seeking Forgiveness

09:17 The Journey to Sobriety and Self-Discovery

13:08 From Writing to Healing: Janelle's Memoir Unveiled

18:34 Embracing Self-Worth and Building a Supportive Community

24:22 Living Well with Bipolar: Janelle's Transformation

29:01 Connecting with Janelle and Closing Thoughts

As I enter the last year of my 20s, the biggest thing I hope for is more connection.

This month consisted of a lot of that... travel, new opportunities, stepping more into my purpose and starting my audiobook!!

It was so much fun to explore NYC for my birthday, PA for my brother-in-law's birthday and end my trip reconnecting with my friends Kevin and Margaret in St. Louis!

Tune into the episode for all the details and highlights of the trip and what I am focusing on most....

Super grateful to have reconnected with Cathy, my college counselor, who I got to bring a copy of my book to and discuss the impact she has had on my life. She knew me before my hospitalization and diagnosis and shortly after and was someone who made a big impact on me.

If you want to make my day... please go leave me a review for the podcast and/or my book here!

Episode 200: Navigating Bipolar Disorder & Focusing on The Role of Culture with Dr. Lauren Yang

In this special 200th episode of 'Live Well, Bipolar,' the host celebrates this milestone by interviewing Dr. Lauren Yang, a clinical psychologist and Associate Board President and past Vice Chair of the Young Adult Council for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.

With her personal experience living with bipolar II disorder, Dr. Yang shares her journey from her initial hypomanic episode as an undergraduate at UCLA to her self-diagnosis and eventually receiving professional confirmation.

She discusses the challenges she faced, including medication side effects and societal stigma, particularly within the Asian American community. Dr. Yang also touches upon her transition from aiming for a medical career to pursuing clinical psychology, emphasizing her commitment to support and advocate for mental health and reducing stigma.

The episode highlights the importance of acknowledging bipolar disorder as part of one's life but not letting it define one's entirety, advocating for a holistic approach to wellness and embracing one's authentic self.

Stay connected with Dr. Yang here!

00:00 Celebrating Episode 200: A Special Guest Joins Us!

00:23 Meet Dr. Lauren Yang: A Journey Through Bipolar Disorder

02:07 Navigating Life and Diagnosis: Lauren's Personal Story

07:34 The Challenges of Living with Bipolar Disorder

13:21 Opening Up: Conversations with Family and Cultural Reflections

25:04 Pursuing Passion: From Pre-Med to Clinical Psychology

30:17 Living Well with Bipolar: A Multidimensional Approach

35:08 Connecting with Dr. Lauren Yang: Advocacy and Support

36:10 Wrapping Up: Reflections and Gratitude

Navigating Hormonal Changes in Women Living with Bipolar Disorder

In this episode, Paris welcomes back Melissa Howard, a mental health advocate and writer, to discuss the intricate relationship between hormonal changes and bipolar disorder in women.

Melissa shares her personal journey, including her diagnosis with bipolar disorder at 19, experiencing significant mood disruptions associated with hormonal changes such as puberty, the use of birth control pills, and the impacts of pregnancy and menopause on her bipolar symptoms.

She highlights the challenges of managing bipolar disorder alongside hormone-related health issues like endometriosis and the drastic changes post-hysterectomy leading to menopause.

Through her story, Melissa emphasizes the importance of routine, diet, minimizing stress, and working closely with healthcare professionals to manage the complexities of bipolar disorder influenced by hormonal changes.

The episode aims to shed light on the often-overlooked interplay between hormones and mental health in women living with bipolar disorder.

Connect with Melissa here!

00:00 Welcome to Live Well, Bipolar: A Deep Dive into Hormonal Changes and Bipolar Disorder

00:22 Introducing Melissa Howard: Mental Health Advocate and Bipolar Disorder Expert

02:53 Melissa's Personal Journey: From Hormonal Imbalance to Bipolar Diagnosis

09:19 Understanding the Impact of Hormonal Changes on Bipolar Disorder

13:19 Navigating Pregnancy, Medication, and Bipolar Disorder

34:50 Lifestyle Changes and Managing Bipolar Disorder in Menopause

39:34 Closing Thoughts and Where to Connect with Melissa

Navigating Life with Bipolar Disorder, Breast Cancer, and Parkinson’s Disease: Ann’s Inspiring Journey

In this episode of 'Live Well, Bipolar,' the host welcomes Ann, an almost 11-year breast cancer survivor who at 55 was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and Bipolar I disorder.

Ann shares her journey, focusing on her late diagnosis during the pandemic, the challenges she faced being misunderstood and navigating the healthcare system, and the eventual acceptance and steps she took to ask for help.

Despite experiencing delusions and being hospitalized multiple times, Ann remains positive and is passionate about educating others on mental illness and reducing stigma. She emphasizes the importance of asking for help, sharing one’s story to alleviate the feeling of being alone, and fostering a supportive community for people living with mental health challenges.

Ann encourages people to educate themselves about bipolar disorder and to approach those affected with compassion. She shares her story openly on social media and through interactions, hoping to connect with and support others going through similar experiences.

Connect with Ann here!

00:00 Welcome to Live Well, Bipolar: Introducing Our Special Guest

00:34 Ann's Journey: Surviving Breast Cancer and Living with Parkinson's and Bipolar Disorder

02:22 The Diagnosis Story: Navigating Mental Health in the Midst of a Pandemic

05:25 Hospitalization and the Struggle for Understanding

10:38 The Road to Recovery: Challenges and Support

15:53 Sharing the Story: The Power of Openness and Community

26:53 Living Well with Bipolar: Insights and Reflections

30:47 Final Thoughts and How to Stay Connected

Navigating Motherhood and Bipolar Disorder with Alessandra Torresani

Alessandra Torresani is a multifaceted artist known for her captivating performances in film, television and theater. From her early roles in hit TV shows like Malcolm in the Middle and 'The Big Bang Theory' to her life changing work as host of the EmotionAL support pod, Alessandra continues to captivate audiences.

I am excited to dive deeper into her journey and insights into the world of motherhood as it relates to living with bipolar. She is dedicated to de-stigmatizing mental health by spreading kindness, compassion and hope. Alssandra brings tons of fun and laughter to her mission while sharing her story and the stories of others on her podcast EmotionAL Support

Alessandra shares her story from being misdiagnosed and eventually finding relief in her correct diagnosis to the challenges and changes she faced during pregnancy, including going off medication. Emphasizing the importance of a support system and community, Alessandra delves into how she navigates motherhood while managing bipolar disorder, offering insights into the significance of routine, therapy, and open conversations.

The discussion also touches on the societal perceptions and personal impacts of sharing mental health struggles publicly, the considerations of medication during pregnancy, and the broader implications of motherhood on identity and self-care.

Stay connected with Alessandra here and go check out her podcast, EmotionAL Support, here!

00:00 Meet Alessandra Taurasani: A Journey from Acting to Advocacy

01:34 The Diagnosis Journey: Misunderstandings and Breakthroughs

04:37 Embracing Medication and the Path to Stability

06:08 Finding Love and Acceptance: A New Chapter Begins

10:14 Motherhood and Bipolar: Navigating New Challenges

11:39 Creating a Supportive Environment for Motherhood

15:23 The Importance of Routine and Structure in Parenting

19:35 The Lost Sense of Community in Parenthood

20:26 Finding Support and Building Connections as New Parents

23:25 Navigating Mental Health and Medication During Pregnancy

28:22 The Power of Sharing and Supporting Each Other

35:31 Exploring Identity and Motherhood

39:12 Concluding Thoughts on Support and Community

The last Monday of every month I always love to share something with you that I am navigating as it relates to living with bipolar.

March was a really fun and really busy month for me. Many of you know that I was out of the country celebrating my first wedding anniversary 3/2-3/11.

My baby sister, Milan, turned 21 along with another friend's birthday and going away event for another close friend.

I got to speak to a room of 100+ people sharing my lived experience with bipolar as one of NAMI'S Faces of Recovery. I attended the 3rd annual Kid in the Corner Gala and had a lot of meeting connecting with so many doing great work in the community around mental health.

But March is not over yet and there are still a lot of exciting things coming that I mention in the episode. As many of you know, good events can also be a trigger when living with bipolar.

For me personally, this month I was consumed with love, gratitude and excitement but... I also found myself feeling bad for not showing up as much online. I was hard on myself for taking longer than expected to get back into my routine and I also felt a lot of overwhelm, stress and an inability to slow down in certain moments.

So... what did I do? I made sure to check in with my therapist, loved ones and get my thoughts out of my head and onto paper. The more I got clear on where my more uncomfortable feeling came from... the more I was able to work through them to take care of myself.

It has been a challenge getting back to normal life following a trip out of the country but with my support network, I have been able to do it and so can you! :)

Please do me a favor and message me on Instagram (or email me at [email protected]) what you think of this episode. Without your feedback, I would not be here today.

Spreading Kindness Through Hand-Carved Heart Rocks: Tom Ballard's Journey with Bipolar Disorder

Tom Ballard, known as the Heart Rock Guy, has distributed over 210,000 hand-carved, heart-shaped rocks to spread kindness and love. So far, he has learned that 106 lives have been saved as a result.

Tom shares his journey before and after his bipolar diagnosis at 29, describing how creating these heart rocks became a therapeutic activity that helped him manage his bipolar. He explains the process of making these rocks, the responses from recipients, and his belief in the power of kindness to strengthen connections and potentially save lives.

Tom also talks about his school presentations, designed to encourage kindness among students, and the impact of those initiatives. He offers personal insights on living well with bipolar disorder, emphasizing self-grace, lifestyle adjustments, and finding purposeful activities. The episode highlights a heartwarming outreach story and extends an invitation to listeners, offering to send them a hand-carved heart rock in times of need.

Reach out to Tom here and send him a message sharing your takeaway from this episode to have a FREE heart rock sent to you!

00:00 Welcome to Live Well, Bipolar: The Heart Rock Journey

00:17 Tom Ballard: The Heart Rock Guy's Story

01:00 The Birth of the Heart Rock Movement

03:18 Spreading Kindness Through Heart Rocks

06:23 The Ripple Effect of Kindness

14:17 Living Well with Bipolar: Tom's Personal Strategies

19:20 The Power of Kindness and Creativity

22:54 Impactful Stories and the Circle of Kindness

28:55 Living Well with Bipolar: Finding Your Purpose

32:19 Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Tom