Chelsea's Story
We had both learned what bipolar is, the way to manage it, and the differences between bipolar, dysfunction, behavior, and personality. To this point however, I had not implemented any of the tools I had been taught. I was stubborn to the core, but this experience convinced me to make the changes I needed to make in my life. I had to do something differently. The best definition I have found for “insanity”, is “doing the same thing and expecting different results”. I had to stop doing the “same things” and pick-up the tools I had been given in Bipolar Insights.

Due to another illness, I had stopped attending the support group for six months prior to my most recent hospitalization. As soon as I was discharged, I returned to the weekly meetings of Bipolar Insights. During my six-month illness I had moved from El Dorado County to Sacramento, which meant I would have to drive 100 miles, round trip, to attend Tuesday nights. I knew, that to change my life, I would have to commit myself to managing this disorder and that meant attending the weekly support group. It was worth every penny in gas, wear on my car, and the time it took, to finally take responsibility in my life and make the changes that would save my marriage and my life.

I made my return to the little house on Main Street, Tuesday night. I was graciously accepted back into the fold, by all of the wonderful people in the group. The apprehension and nervousness I felt, immediately dissipated as I entered the house. I was home.
I threw myself into the group and into changing my life. In addition to Bipolar Insights, I began attending Alcoholics Anonymous to deal with my problems with alcohol. I took every suggestion I was given. Marcia, the facilitator of Bipolar Insights, had always told us that there were four things we had to do to take responsibility for our bipolar disorder: medication, self-awareness, journaling, and support.
The first thing I did, was to take charge of the medications I was taking. I learned everything I could about the medications and when I saw something that needed to be added or changed, I took it upon myself to get in touch with my doctors and remedy the problems before I got into crisis. I knew, from Bipolar Insights, that doctors are not “God” nor are they “mind readers”. They can only give us the right treatment if we tell them our symptoms. To do this I had to be self-aware and journal, to be able to distinguish between what was actually bipolar symptoms and what were my dysfunctions, behavior, and personality. Through the education from Bipolar Insights and journaling, I was able to do this.

After implementing all of the things I had been taught in Bipolar Insights, my life began to miraculously change for the better. I began to run at a level mood with no major highs or lows. I attended Bipolar Insights every week and formed bonds with other people with bipolar, that I could call or visit, who could support me through anything. I began to educate my family members who could not attend the group and they became able to better understand bipolar disorder and how it affects them as well as me. I journal every day now and I have a wonderful working rapport with my psychiatrist. I have gone through changes in my medication, with no need for hospitalization.
Please do not think that my life is “perfect” now, it isn’t, it is still life. What I can say, is that my marriage has never been stronger. My spouse and I are honest with one another, we communicate better, and I am aided with the bipolar disorder since we can openly talk about it. Most importantly, I am responsible for myself. Due to some episodes in mania, I had gotten myself into serious debt, with no hope in sight of ever getting out of it. I took responsibility for it though and I am now making restitution. When I have difficulties, I don’t have to rely only on my spouse, as I did in the past. Now I have a list of people I can call, to discuss any problem or difficulty I have and I can do the same for them, and I do. This has definitely helped my marriage. I used to depend solely on my spouse and that put a terrible strain on our relationship, more than I ever knew. Now I have such a vast support group of friends and family that my spouse feels relived of all the pressure I had unknowingly imposed.

My life now is a miracle. I could not be at this point if it were not for Bipolar Insights. Attending group every week, has given me the tools I need to manage bipolar disorder and to live a life that I never, ever, dreamed possible. I have been living with bipolar disorder my whole life and I never thought I would ever lead a happy, fulfilling, and wonderful life. I am living proof however, that if applied, the knowledge and skills learned in Bipolar Insights can change lives. It has changed my family’s lives and mine and I would never go back to the way it was. Life is good!