This Friday, March 30th, 2018, is World Bipolar Day. People like me and Julie A. Fast along with the International Bipolar Foundation are spending this World Bipolar Day educating others about the realities of living with bipolar disorder.
I’m going to be doing a Facebook Live question and answer session from 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. PT (noon-1:00 p.m. ET) on my Bipolar Burble page. I’ll be talking about bipolar disorder and answering your questions live. I’ll do my best to answer anything you like.
Get Your Bipolar/Depression Questions Answered
Julie A. Fast is also going to be live on World Bipolar Day. She’ll be online from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. PT and be taking your questions via text here.
Please join me. You can find the Facebook Live session on the Bipolar Burble Facebook page. Like my page and then interact with me live! (Click here to get a reminder about the live event.)
(If you’re not familiar with Facebook Live, see here.)
More for World Bipolar Day
You may also want to check out this post I wrote last year for World Bipolar Day: Bipolar Myth-Busting on World Bipolar Day.
I also talk about a prevalent bipolar myth here: Bipolar Disorder Myths and Facts: 6 Misconceptions That Need Debunking.
Take Part in World Bipolar Day
In addition to taking part in my Facebook Live session on World Bipolar Day, you can also take part in World Bipolar Day by posting your photo or video with hashtags #WorldBipolarDay and #BipolarStrong. Include @intlbipolar on Twitter and Instagram and your post will be retweeted. Include @InternationalBipolarFoundation on Facebook and the International Bipolar Foundation will share your post. Using these tags will help World Bipolar Day trend on social media.
You can also use these examples (provided by the International Bipolar Foundation) of what to share on World Bipolar Day:
- I am _______ (e.g., creative. compassionate. thoughtful. resilient. a successful entrepreneur. capable. etc.) I am #BipolarStrong. #WorldBipolarDay
- In order to stay #BipolarStrong, I ______ (e.g., meditate. see a therapist. maintain a healthy diet. etc.) #WorldBipolarDay
- Some days my best means just getting out of bed; other days I accomplish ____. No matter what, I am #BipolarStrong. #WorldBipolarDay
- By supporting (someone who lives with bipolar disorder), we are #BipolarStrong. #WorldBipolarDay
- I support the bipolar community by ______ because we are #BipolarStrong. #WorldBipolarDay
- I have found strength in my bipolar by (e.g., fighting stigma. educating others on mental illness. using my creativity to create beautiful art. etc.) #BipolarStrong #WorldBipolarDay
World Bipolar Day is about celebrating all of us dealing with bipolar disorder (and our loved ones, too). So get out there and spread the word.
I just started a blog today and I would like to know if you think that this could be beneficial in my healing process.. Well I guess we don’t ever really heal but in my process of coping and accepting and continuing to live after trauma. I’m sorry to post this on your blog but I have been watching and reading your work for a few hours now and would like your opinion. Thank you in advance and if you are too busy, I completely understand. No hard feelings either way.
Hi folks,
I’m so sorry, there were major technical issues with the Facebook Live session. I did manage to get one going and if you missed it and would like too see what we got up to, it’s here: https://www.facebook.com/BipolarBurble/videos/1579992932117399/
Again, I apologize fully for the issues.
– Natasha Tracy
Natasha. I’m desperate for help for my wife. We’ve endured her bipolar for 10 years. I can no longer live in our house with her and now I believe she has begun to starve herself going on three weeks. No help from health care or the psych doctors. Michigan is no help. And Federal gov less. Trying this out of desperation.
Hi Jon,
I wish I had a magic answer for you — if I did I’d freely give it. Here’s what I would say:
* Take a look at my Get Help page. Call the National Lifeline and see if they know of any additional resources. They are great and you don’t have to be dealing with suicide to call. Also, there is a mental health resources locator linked on that page that may uncover something else locally you haven’t tried: https://natashatracy.com/get-mental-illness-help/
* Also, please see this post for resources to help when a person refuses help: https://natashatracy.com/mental-illness-issues/person-mental-illness-accept-illness/
* Note that if you have a good faith reason to believe your wife’s life is in danger (because of starving herself, for example), call 9-1-1. Document all the information you have about her condition, where and when you notice different symptoms and build a case for admission without consent.
I wish I could offer more, but that’s all I can think of.
Good luck. I know you must feel alone, but many, many people have been in your situation and found their way through it.
– Natasha Tracy
Dearest Natasha — one hour is not nearly enough…
Rhea my dear, you are so incredibly sweet. I hope you’ll be there :)
https://youtu.be/5KW6BBrU3GM