Hi there and thanks for dropping by!
I was inspired to start this blog when a friend of mine came to me as she had been diagnosed with bipolar disease and she was really concerned with some of the social stigmas that are attached to mental illness & what people would think of her as a sufferer.
I was diagnosed with being bipolar when I was about 20. My parents broke up when I was 18 and I was old enough to shoulder a lot of responsibility. The best way that I can describe what happened is that the shouldering of that weight was just too much to bear and eventually my psyche broke.
Maybe I already had a prior disposition to mental illness, maybe there were already cracks before that were there before the issues with my family. It’s quite likely; I’ve seen signs of mental illness in other members of my family.
I will go into more details over time about the break up with between my parents and the ensuing drama but this entry into my blog is intended to describe my intent and what I’d like to achieve by writing this.
I want to try and break down some of the boundaries surrounding mental illness. I know that sounds like an immensely lofty goal for one unknown blogger, but as far as I’m concerned, if I can touch one person’s life with this blog, or change one person’s opinion about mental illness, then I’ll consider all the effort and $20 that it cost me to buy this domain name all worthwhile.
I think most people have someone in their lives that has some kind of mental illness, from the very mild to the completely debilitating forms. But not many people understand it. Although I’ve always maintained that I don’t want people to understand, for as far as I’m concerned the only people that do understand are those that have been through something similar, and I wouldn’t wish what I’ve been through on anyone. What I am asking for is understanding.
I just hope to bring a little more insight into most people’s lives about what it’s like to be bipolar, and how those of us cope with it on a daily basis.
On and readers… I’m much funnier than this normally, and I promise that all future posts will reflect this sense of humour and wit!
S xx
bipolarbearblog.com 
Hi S,
Thank you for your blog and honesty. It is so nice to know that this actually happens to other people!
I am 31 and recently diagnosed (although its clear I have had this for 10 years). Biological predisposition played apart along with environmental factors such as post-natal depression which may have triggered it off.
I was lucky enough to find a former collegue and friend who also shares this illness. I am so thankful she has shed some light on the truth about bipolar to me.
It’s funny as her and I always clashed at work, however, we are so similar in many ways. I am thankful she has acepted me as a friend and has been so lovely to speak to me from the heart.
It has been a big sigh of releif as I confided in her and seeked advice from someone who i didn’t think would ever understand me, it turns out that she understands me so much right now and I am blessed to have had her support and friendship as of late.
I have taken on board this illness, owned it, stared it right in the face, and declared I will win this battle, I own this battle and it’s mine.
I have hurt people close to me and stuffed up alot in the last 10 years, but I am ready to face this and things are going to be great.
I am on Lithium and it seems to be working, I literally feel I have just walked out of a big foggy cloud and I can see things so much clearer than ever before, I look back on some foolish mistakes (along with my credit card statements) and realise that even after a month of medication I am a different person, for the better.
It will be all rainbows and butterflies, but its the support from people close to you and the recognition and ownership of this illness and the passion for life that will get me through.
I look forward to reading more from your blog S, and I will update my progress along the way too. Thank you again.
T xxx