interviewed me about dating and marriage while living with bipolar disorder. Here’s how the article starts:
At age 30, Kitt O’Malley moved in with her parents after treatment for debilitating depression resulted in psychotic mania which left her unable to do her work as a licensed marriage and family therapist. She left her career aspirations behind, and she started seeing a psychiatrist and a therapist who treated her for what was still thought to be chronic depression.
So when the guy she was dating said “You’re the most independent woman I’ve ever met,” Kitt couldn’t help but laugh. She had never been more dependent in her life, but he didn’t see those circumstances or her mental illness. He saw her, and that in itself was a small miracle…
If you or someone close to you has bipolar disorder, it’s important to know you’re not alone. The creators behind these blogs know what it’s like to live and love with bipolar, and they want you to feel empowered and have that community, too.
Whether you’re looking for resources after a diagnosis, actionable tips for managing on a daily basis, or personal stories, you’ll find a space for yourself in these blogs.
Bipolar Beat is written by Candida Fink, a psychiatrist who specializes in children and adolescents, and by freelance author Joe Kraynak, whose wife lives with bipolar disorder. From Fink, you can get expert advice on issues like sleep, parenting, medication, and treatment options. Kraynak writes about his and his wife’s personal experiences, and occasionally interviews bipolar experts.
This award-winning blog is written by many bloggers from around the world who share their perspectives on living with bipolar disorder. Writers guide you through topics like staying hopeful with bipolar disorder, managing a mental health crisis, and how to make asking for help easier.
Julie A. Fast is the author of several books about life with bipolar disorder and she’s also a regular columnist and blogger for BP Magazine for Bipolar. She works as a coach for parents and partners of people with bipolar disorder and other mental health concerns. On her blog, she writes about how to best manage bipolar disorder, with actionable and positive ways to keep going, tips for healthcare professionals, and what to do if you’ve just been diagnosed.
Imagine living with bipolar disorder for roughly 25 years without knowing it. That’s what prompted Deborah to start her blog. She writes about hospital stays, traveling, and the portrayal of mental illness in media and entertainment. She’s covered everything from gratitude, to college, to what it means to have a purpose in life.
The International Bipolar Foundation has created a powerful resource for people living with bipolar disorder. On the blog, you can read about things like life after psychosis, perfectionism, peer support, and managing school with depression or mania. There’s also a forum where people can share their own stories.
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a peer-run organization for people living with mood disorders. You can find a wide variety of information and resources on bipolar disorder and depression, as well as a section featuring personal stories from people who live with bipolar.
Natasha Tracy is an award-winning writer and speaker — and an expert on living with bipolar disorder. She also wrote a book about her life with bipolar. On her blog, Bipolar Burble, she shares evidence-based information about what it’s like to manage bipolar, covering topics like working with bipolar disorder, radical self-care, and how to tell someone you have bipolar.
Hannah Blum, writer and mental health advocate, started Halfway 2 Hannah in 2016 to open up about her journey living with bipolar disorder. She writes on her blog to empower others who have bipolar disorder and mental health challenges, so they can feel less alone and find beauty in what makes them different. Hannah writes about talking about trauma, how to help your partner with their mental health, and creative alternatives to self-harm.
Kitt O’Malley calls herself a mental health advocate, wife, and “mother who neglects housework to write.” Her blog is all about loving, learning, and living with bipolar disorder — from everyday actionable tips people can use to manage their condition, to parenting, poetry, and creative writing.
“I needed a hero, so a hero I became.” That’s what inspired Bipolar Barbie, a blog about living with — and advocating for more awareness of — mental illness. You can browse topics like myths about anxiety disorders, symptoms of borderline personality disorder, and talking openly about mental health. Bipolar Barbie also shares candid videos on Instagram and vlogs on YouTube.
Alaina Leary is an editor, social media manager, and writer from Boston, Massachusetts. She’s currently the assistant editor of Equally Wed Magazine and a social media editor for the nonprofit We Need Diverse Books.
Martin Short’s wife Nancy died of cancer after almost 30 years of marriage. I love what he said about death in his AARP interview.
I believe that when people die, they zoom into the people that love them. This idea that it just ends, and don’t speak of them — that’s wrong. That’s based on denial that we’re all going to die. So to me, she’s still here. At the same time, her death emboldened me to take risks. With real tragedy, you become a little more daring. It’s the yin to the yang: the positive part of life’s dark side.
