How to Become a Bipolar Rockstar

It was another day with my therapist. This time, we began discussing the groundwork that needs to be laid out to live a fulfilling life, knowing I am going to be proactive about my diagnosis with Bipolar 2. It had been months since I started taking meds for my insomnia, and also some mood stabilizers, which were effective in letting me keep my cool. I will be paraphrasing a section of dialogue we had in that session.

My Therapist: So you will be staying in the dorm on the weekdays, right?

Fresh Bipolar Yohannes: Yes, for the most part.

My Therapist: You will be taking your meds in front of your roommates. What will you answer if they ask you why you are taking meds?

Fresh Bipolar Yohannes: I would say those are for stomachache or something.

My Therapist: They will see you take the medicines every day.

Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder previously known as Manic-Depressive illness. It has a few types under the umbrella term, such as Bipolar 1, Bipolar 2, and Cyclothymia. While the different types differ a bit from each other, the proper way to describe the symptoms one would experience is that they will have to go through periods of highs and desperate downs in different episodes, making it harder to maintain routines, consistency, and relationships.

Getting your shit together with such a diagnosis is hard, and to make it even harder, people try to label the disorder as if it came from an evil spirit, and by getting diagnosed like this, you are just trying to be a white person. The first part of becoming a “Bipolar Rockstar” is accepting reality and being bold and brave about it. With that said, here’s your manual for becoming the rockstar you wish to be, whether you are getting diagnosed with Bipolar or not.

1. Sleep well!

If you are genetically disposed to mental health problems, the primary thing you should look into is your sleep. Getting quality sleep every night and ensuring your sleep routine is fixed (consistent) helps you eliminate the risks of triggering another episode or tampering with your mood.

2. Therapy helps.

You may have friends and family you can rely on, but that would never replace the benefits you would reap from having a reliable therapist. There are a bunch of psychotherapy methodologies (my favorite being Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), and you and your therapist can see what works for your case. Talking or even writing the thought processes in your mind and objectifying the feelings and emotions you have towards situations would help you meaningfully.

“These people who enjoy your memes, are they in the room with us right now?”

3. Create.

Mania/Hypomania is characterized by a boost in energy level to the point you would feel the fireworks inside your brain. Putting that energy towards something you love to work on would be helpful as you are treating yourself out of the episode. The things you produce at this stage would be a source of some self-esteem in times of despair or inevitable depression.

The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh

Being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder wouldn’t hinder any person from getting the most out of life. What seems to be chaos will eventually turn out to be a superpower as long as it is mindfully treated and followed. Educating oneself and people around about the diagnosis will make it much easier to lead a life one would aspire to have.