Being mentally ill is good for me in some ways and I wanted to highlight a few personal ways that being bipolar has helped me and brought some positivity to my life.
After reading the article 10 Reasons I’m Thankful I’m a Mom Fighting a Mental Illness it touched me as I could relate to so many of her own reasons listed.
I decided to write my own reasons why being mentally ill is good for me.
1- Learning and understanding mental illnesses:
Before I became ill I can’t say I knew much about mental health, I had suffered from depression in the past but nothing would prepare me for being diagnosed with bipolar and facing psychosis and sever anxiety.
In order for me to understand what was happening to me and why I felt or behaved the way I did, I researched my illness in depth. By doing so I have been able not only to help my own recovery but support others too.
2 – It offered an opportunity to stand up for something I believed in:
I have always been passionate about ending stigma and mental health was once of those topics which mattered dearly to me.
I had previously been a victim of postnatal depression and had wanted to raise awareness of this delicate issue, yet never knew how. Mental illness was not the type of discussion to have over a cup of tea at the local playgroup.
Being diagnosed with bipolar has allowed me to be more open and honest about mental illness and be able to talk about it.
3 – It has taught me never to judge a book by its cover:
I am now able to offer support and a friendly ear to others struggling with mental health issues. I have learned never to judge others and never to expect anything to be as it appears.
To be able to listen, relate too and understand someone at their lowest point is such a relief to them. It has allowed me to be compassionate and caring and really make a difference to other people’s lives.
4 – I have a purpose every single day to fight my illness:
Not only do I have 6 children and a supportive husband but I am a role model to many online and I thrive to be the best person I can be, in order to help and support others.
I have so many reasons to stay strong and to fight my illness, that my own demons are now being better controlled.
I have so many people that rely on me to stay strong and focused that this drives me to learn more about my illness and control it the best I can.
5 – I have built strong friendships:
As much as I love to talk I am not comfortable around people I do not know. I never quite feel able to fit in and have lost many friends due to this.
I lost friends because they were afraid of me when I was diagnosed with bipolar also.
Thanks to my illness I have met so many amazing and inspiring people. I have made lifelong friendships and I have learned to slowly begin to trust again.
Having bipolar has been a life changing experience not only for me but my husband and children and our bonds and relationships are closer because of it. I had to learn to be open and honest about how I was feeling and we talk much more these days about issues that are bothering us.
6 – I found my passion as a writer:
I always wanted to be a solicitor, as a young girl I would play teacher to my dolls and teddy bears, I have always loved writing. The head teacher always said I would become a news reader or a journalist.
Had anyone have told me 4 years ago I would become a controversial blogger, I would have laughed. Yet my passion in writing has become almost like therapy for me.
I don’t think my writing will ever change the world but if it changes 1 thing for 1 person out there, then my goal has been achieved.
