Hi! My name is Heather Adele, and when I was 41 years old, I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 Disorder, C-PTSD and Maladaptive Perfectionism. Previously diagnosed with anxiety disorders and prescribed medications for varying degrees of depression – it took my entire life (career, personal, health) spiralling out of control and two suicide attempts to get the proper diagnosis and support I had desperately needed for years.
Today, almost two years later, I am happy to say I now have more good days than bad. I have a support network of family and friends, who know of my diagnosis and have been nothing short of brilliant in supporting self care and recovery. I have an amazing counsellor who is helping me work through both trauma issues and some of the triggers for both depression and hypomania that come with Bipolar 2. I am well on my way to being a fully functioning adult… finally.
To say the last two years have been a steep learning curve is an understatement. I now know an accurate diagnosis early in life would have 100% meant an improved quality of life. I am not alone in this. Statistically, 2.6% of the North American population suffers from Bipolar Disorder. On average, people with Bipolar Disorder consult 3 to 4 doctors and spend more than eight years seeking treatment before receiving the correct diagnosis. Lack of funding, scarcity of programs and support also means that only 4.3% of people with Bipolar Disorder are actually ever diagnosed.
This has to change. When I say it would have drastically improved my life to have an accurate diagnosis, I am not suggesting that I have had a horrible life by any means. I have however, deeply struggled at times with why my life always seemed to be in selfmade chaos. Diagnosis would have meant, not only for myself, but for those who have struggled with my severe ups, the heavy downs and erratic behaviour, answers as to why I am the way I am, instead of causing pain, frustration and abandonment. Being lost for so long, my parents, my children, my friends had to bear the weight of me blowing in the wind, my life seemingly always a kalamity, without any sort of explanation. It truly is an impossible way to when what you really want is peace. For yourself, and everyone you love.
Hindsight is always 20/20 though. And as the courageous Margaret Trudeau once wrote:
“ I haven’t always done the right thing but most importantly I am doing the right thing now.”
And so I give to you, The Diary of a Hypomaniac. A place to explore Bipolar 2 Disorder, and to educate and inform people about mental health in general. Most importantly it is a place for me to share my journey, the good, the bad and the ugly… the hilarity and the sorrow that comes with being Bipolar 2.
My hope for this blog is twofold. One, there are thousands of people who suffer with a mental illness in silence – by sharing my story, facts and figures, how to manage and where to find help – I am hoping that I can support someone in their struggle or their journey by letting them know they are NOT alone. Two, I hope that neurotypical people read my story, the facts and the figures – about Bipolar Disorder but also mental health more generally, and garner a deeper understanding of what it is like to live day to day with a mental health disorder. Education is the key here, to end the shadowy stigma that still lingers around mental health disorders.
Your is all things BPD2,
Heather Adele
diaryofahypomaniac.home.blog 