I hate being bipolar, I hate what comes with it, the excruciating lows and the often dangerous highs. But what I love the most about my illness and something that I’m deeply grateful about, is the friends I’ve made in this journey.
So we have this Instagram page of people with Bipolar Disorder, from all over the world and though we’ve never met each other (and probably never will), we’ve shaped each others’ lives so profoundly.
A part of this is because neurotypicals will simply never understand what it is like to live with this madness everyday, to fight your demons every minute of your life and to take five different pills everyday to be functional.
My friends from the internet have helped make this battle easier for me. Their reaffirming words and constant encouragement makes me feel less lonely and more understood. And for that, I’m so grateful.
We bond over having the same medicines, same side effects, and most importantly the same diagnosis. And even though people say a diagnosis is just a label, it is more than that, it is an indelible part if your personality which can seldom be disregarded.
I am so thankful for the group-chat that exists and to each and every single ‘friend’ who has been so kind and generous to me despite never having seen my face.
Mental Health with Milana 