Bipolar II Disorder: Misdiagnosis, Stigma & Telling My Story | Sara Schley |
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- Опубликовано: 12 июн 2024
- Author Sara Schley recounts her story of living with bipolar II disorder - from her first episode of depression in college, to publishing her memoir after keeping her diagnosis secret for over 40 years. Sara also breaks down why people with bipolar II disorder are commonly misdiagnosed, her upcoming film on bipolar disorder - BrainStorm, and the life lessons she practices to live well with bipolar disorder. Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak.
00:00 Intro
01:23 Depression and the Early Years
04:19 The "Family Disease"
06:05 Misdiagnosing Bipolar II - "Why Am I Still Depressed?"
12:05 Ways to Prevent Relapse
14:21 Practice "PECS" to Stay Well (Physical/Emotional/Creative/Spiritual)
21:26 4 Ways to Support Someone with Bipolar Disorder
27:00 Telling My Story After 40 Years - "Melting Off the Shame"
30:11 Sara’s Memoir: BrainStorm
32:35 BrainStorm the Film
More on this episode + resources: talkBD.live/bipolar-ii-disorder
BrainStorm the film: brainstormthefilm.com
Sara Schley is the author of the acclaimed memoir, BrainStorm: From Broken to Blessed on the Bipolar Spectrum. She is a business consultant, speaker, and author who has led organizational transformations at renowned companies around the world. She is a mother, grandmother, community leader, and has been married to a great guy for twenty-six years. She also has a Bipolar II brain, on the Bipolar Spectrum. Sara has kept this mostly a secret for four decades. Until now. She is choosing to tell her riveting story - from broken to blessed - to save lives, end stigma, and optimize healing for millions. Sara is also a writer and producer of BrainStorm - an upcoming film inspired by her memoir.
#talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast
talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. All episodes are available on all podcast platforms:
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Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/16...
Learn more about talkBD: talkBD.live
I’ve learnt so much from this interview. I was finally diagnosed 10 years ago… I’m now 60. I had my first “depressive” episode at about 22….. so 28 years to be diagnosed. It’s been the best 10 years…. Lamotrigine & Quetiapine added to my appropriate antidepressant changed my life. So many different meds. Thank you.
Wishing you the best ❤️
boy do i understand what you’re talking about!
@@CRESTBD thankyou so much! sending lots of hugs
I've heard very similar stories to hers. I'm glad the timing let her pull through school before symptoms got out of hand. It didn't work out well for me. I think that I had my first depressive episode around age 12. Dropped out of school a year later and only managed to keep a regular schedule aged 25 in college, a year after starting my studies. Brains really don't help when you can't even get out of bed.
I've just started Divalproex for Bipolar 2, I'm 46. I've been treated for anxiety, ADHD, major depression disorder and PMDD with Similar symptoms to Bipolar Disorder for over 10 years. I'm so frustrated with all the negative experiences with medications. I've had a team of specialists and labeled complex case as I had the opposite reaction to medication. I really don't want another diagnosis but I hope they get it right soon.
Sorry for your bumpy journey. I have a similar one.
Bp 2 and PMDD, unmediated I can’t take it anymore with the side effects. I’m very aware so I know when I’m having an episode even if I can’t stop it. I just want to not be here anymore. It’s hopeless and I don’t want to fight anymore
It's a nightmare ride that goes on and on and you just want it to stop it's exhausting
Very nice it’s lonely
I love this channel. The words bipolar were first spoken in 2008 but I didn’t accept it until 2023. Now I’ve fully embraced it and yes the old school medication, lithium, has saved my life. I have a new life and a new version of me. Learning more is different. Instead of wondering if I’m bipolar while I watch these. That question is put to bed and I can absorb all the advice and take it freely. Thank you
Thank you 🧡🧡
I would love to know more about your experience… I am still in the questioning phase🤦🏻♀️
@spartanmgmt… above message was meant for you.
Just turned 60 & I have been exhausted my whole life dealing with this, the fight is continuous & non stop! mostly depressive, today I am try magic mushrooms as I watch this so thank you all! nyc
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*thanks for releasing this video! Very helpful* 🗿
Thanks for sharing! I recently dealt with my own psychotic episode. Super wild experience. Broke my back and my mind all within 6months. Good times.
Thanks! Sending support to you! 💪
I served in the army for over a decade. When I come back from a very difficult tour of Iraq, where I was a A&E medic I started having pretty severe PTSD symptoms. I asked for help and was told to toughen up and made to feel “weak” in comparison to everyone else who was just “getting on with it” less than a year later I found myself pregnant with my son, all I ever wanted to be was a mum so for a short while I felt I’d been given a second chance of happiness and to focus on all the wonderful aspects that motherhood had waiting on me. I didn’t understand it at the time, but all I was doing was suppressing these feelings, almost like constantly cramming things into a cupboard till one day everything comes spilling back out. This happened when I had my son, instantly and I mean instantly It was like this wash of sheer dread overcome me as he was being held up to show me this beautiful dreamed and prayed for baby. No instant rush of love nothing just absolute fear. I ended up with what was also undiagnosed postnatal psychosis. The army however decided because I was talking fast and seemed agitated, and the fact I had said I was scared my son had been sent as a punishment for a mistake I made on tour which I won’t get into but yeah, even then they didn’t think wait a second? Traumatic tour just before pregnancy now this, 2+2=4? Well no the army said it =Bipolar and because I argued and protested this wasn’t right and that I wouldn’t be taking anything they where giving me, they deemed me as paranoid and aggressive and sectioned me. In the psych ward I was basically bullied and worn down till I complied with starting on antidepressants,antipsychotics and a mood stabiliser. All of which were extremely high doses and left me a shadow of the women I was, I can’t even remember that period clearly as I was so medicated and unable to function. Anyway things got worse but somehow I found myself pregnant with my beautiful daughter who was a twin. I wasn’t taken off the sodium valproate which is a huge no in pregnancy especially during the 1st trimester however the army refused the take me off the SV and I miscarried one of my baby girls. During this time I was sectioned for a sectioned time as I refused to take my meds again, screaming and crying, begging someone to listen to me. No one did, in the end they convinced me at the age of 26 to be sterilised as I was told what I had done (coz I got pregnant on my own 💀) was selfish and that I was already unstable and unable to be a good mum to my son and wife to my then husband and how I’d acted recklessly. I was shouted at and told that I was ruining everyone arounds me life by not accepting my illness and that I’d never be a good mum or wife if I didn’t do just that. So in the end again I complied had my daughter and was “ok” ex husband left when she was only 6 weeks old, the army medically discharged me saying I was unfit for military service. My life my career everything was over including as I said my marriage. I eventually got the correct diagnosis of PTSD in 2015 and was slowly and carefully taken off all the meds I’d been given by the army. The two psychiatrists I seen upon my discharge where horrified to put it mildly and since then I’ve been trying to build my life back up. I should add the only reason I got to see these psychiatrists to eventually get my correct diagnosis and help was through having to fight for 16 months to have my children returned to my care after there dad removed them claiming my bipolar made me unable to care for them the way him and his now wife could. That I couldn’t provide a stable home etc etc I was unpredictable you get the idea ? I eventually did win the custody of my children back however as it stands on the 7th of October 2023 im still fighting for justice, even an apology from the MOD and waiting on a request I have made to have the incorrect diagnosis placed on my discharge medical records changed. So far nothing has happened. No apology nothing just a women at 37 desperately trying to understand why. I’d like to add I’ve been off all antipsychotic/mood stabilisers for over a decade and been “Asymptomatic” all that time also
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I can somewhat relate. No army/military though.
"im still fighting for justice, even an apology from the MOD and waiting on a request I have made to have the incorrect diagnosis placed on my discharge medical records changed. So far nothing has happened. No apology nothing just a women at 37 desperately trying to understand why. I’d like to add I’ve been off all antipsychotic/mood stabilisers for over a decade and been “Asymptomatic” all that time also"
That apology will never come. So much unnecessary suffering and trauma not just for me but for my long-term boyfriend.
I was mis Dx'ed with BiPolar #2 due to an ESL Psychiatrist over the phone misunderstanding me. I'm almost 38 and stuck on Psychotropic drugs someone like me has no business being on. Withdrawal is hell. My physiology in particular is extremely sensitive.
Nobody ever mentioned liquid tapers since July 2021 when this whole mess started due to a severe reaction to LoLoestrin shortly after starting it. Liquid tapers would've been useful in the distant past, too. I have long-term ME/CFS from Psychotropic drugs in the past.
I just tried a liquid taper of 50mg I.R. Seroquel, but the bubbles in the syringe made it inconsistent. I took the liquid equivalent of 49.6mg. Extremely slow **specifically** so my physiology wouldn't notice! I lasted 1.5 weeks before a complete mess. I shouldn't have tried that long, but I'm sick of all of these side-effects from this drug and all of the others: cycling between completely subdued, a specific overmedicated-feeling, and hypomanic. I'm 5 days back reinstated on the two 25mg pills and still waiting to return to homeostasis.
survivingantidepressants.org and beyondmeds.com
Wow..her story is my story almost to a tee! Given anti-depressants through my adult life, bi-polar runs rampant on my mother's side of my family (mostly bi-polar 1) I was finally diagnosed as bipolar 2 a year ago. Meds making me feel better, a little tweaking here and there and still in the process. I'm 55.
Thanks so much for sharing your amazing story! And hello from a very late diagnosed from Mass, long suffer BP type 2 that Dr's didn't understand. :) I am doing great with my health as well.
Thank you 💙💙💙
I am so grateful to come across this conversation. 🙏 I have been diagnosed bipolar 2 a few years, but really have only just begun truly trying to understand & learn about what it is I live with. Awareness and breaking the stigma are so important 👏 I appreciate your story a great deal.
Don’t reach out - reach in.
This speaks volumes to me. Diagnosed in March 2023 Bipolar II. First episode at age 24.
It's strange how this lady wants to have her friends around when she's depressed I just want to shut myself away and can't talk to people on the phone even family members my son goes for months not speaking to people it's very sad he won't get medicated he has tried in the past but I don't feel he had the right doctor who would give him the time and effort he's 36.
Maybe valproate could be useful. It helped me be more social, try it if you haven't yet.
I get that way too the same way she does. I try and seek out people I'm comfortable with. I get more mixed states so I feel very unsafe being alone.
I would go through both total and complete isolation mostly because I was sleeping 17 hours a day and then also wanting company to distract myself and break up the time to white knuckle it through another day. I was so scared each time I would relapse that I was compelled to cling to what life there was just to feel like I was still alive. Being with the right company would also break up some of my rumination’s that were relentless and agonizing.
I found the guest not truthful in regard to 5 psychiatrists didn't ask her those questions she mentioned. Those basic questions are usually asked at new patient questionnaires.
@@lc285sadly I was also misdiagnosed until about 14 years after my first psychatropic intervention. I always reported my symptoms of severe depression and generalized anxiety but I myself never knew I was experiencing hypomanic symptoms until my meds stopped working altogether. Even my first med trial I was extremely treatment resistant and it took nearly 5 months to get stabilized once they augmented with buspirone but then that too eventually popped out. Nothing worked for me after that, ECT, TMS IV ketamine infusions where all prolonging my life threatening illness until I was placed on Nardil. I still need a mood stabilizer because I’m still experiencing break through symptoms but the standard interventions of Trileptal or lamictal i can’t take because I get a severe rash. Uhhhhhg, that means it will have to be lithium or one that is ok to take with Nardil and hopefully I won’t have intolerable SE’s from it.
I also got a late diagnosis. I had my son when I was 40. I was alone, the father dumped me. During my pregnancy I decided to go backpack through Israel (go figure). After my son was born I had a severe postpartum depression for 1,5 year. After that time I got diagnosed. I am 52 now. My mother had bipolar disorder type 1. Very severely.. Suffered enormously as a kid. Traumatic. My first suicide attempt was at 9 years old. Long story short, in retrospect knowing what I know now I am just beginning to comprehent why I made such crazy decisions in my life. My adventurous side (dangerously adventurous), why I sometimes talk so fast (when other people would say that to me I would answer, I don´t talk to fast, you think to slow) etc. etc. etc. It is really too bad that it is so difficult to be diagnosed. In spite of all the therapies, anti depressants etc.
I am taking Lithium, Fluoxetine and Lamotregine and Quetiapine (sorry not sure how these medications are called over there, I am from Spain).Few downsides on the medication though, my thyroids went crazy (as a result gained 10kgs in a couple of years) and also, I used to be a very creative person. Upcycling furniture, engraving, painting. Since I am on lithium, that´s all gone. Anyone else experiencing the same thing? I want to ask my psychiatrist if I can quit Lithium. Hope so. Love for all of you.
@@sebastianliwinski222 I know, my mothers´ kidneys at the end of her life were totally wrecked. she had to drink 4 liters of waters a day. Thank you very much. 🥰🥰🥰
ifel for you! my mother had bipolar also. my oldest sister has it and my son too. my son is so embarrest he won’t even let his wife find out!😢😢😢😢😢😢 i cry for him… so here i am , talking to stragers. at least i have someone to talk to and i hope you all are listening a know how feel…
@@CindySutter oh that must be terrible. He must feel so lonely that his wife doesn´t know! She must notice something though?
This was so engaging. A wonderful story of a long journey and a positive outcome. Thank you Sara and Erin!
Thank you 💚
One of my favorite episodes so far, so inspiring and insightful! Thank you everyone to putting this together 🤩👏
Thank you!
The information sharing, personal stories and anecdotal experiences on these type channels and podcasts have been so helpful in my understanding and ability to be supportive. Appreciated 🙏
Thank you 💛
Thank you CREST for creating this session
Thank you for this very interesting video! Look forward to reading the book and watching the film!
Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you!
I wish you would make a short video clip of what advice Sara gives for allies who want to help, starting at about minute 23. That would be helpful to share with loved ones.
Wish granted! Here’s the clip-> Top 4 Ways to Support Someone in Depression | Sara Schley
ruclips.net/video/4kIJz7b3ubA/видео.html
Thank you so much! She goes over these great tips in her TED talk too. So nice to have short clip though! Thanks again
Thank you too for tuning in!!!❤❤@@tcancella7286
i do wish i was never born with bipolar! inhearited from my mother my oldest sister has it i have it and my son has it! other people get it differently. i don’t know if it can be cured just treated!😢😢😢😢😢life for has been extremlynhard,sad ,scary and it gets wearig on my soul! the only thing that has helped me really is music and for a long time is music ! it has lierally saved life!
This is y I’ll never have kids just adopt
Anthony from Sydney Aus. Major depressive episode in year 10 (1980) at high school which lasted for 3 months (wanted to sleep all the time and thought even breathing was tiresome) then a manic episode where i thought I was superman. Made bets I would get in the 1st football team and could jump over goal posts....OMG. This destroyed my reputation at school and was called psycho . Alone from that time on at school and I went from dux of the form in year 9 to almost last in year 10, at one of Sydney's best schools. Mum said "you used to be so clever, what's happened to you" lol. Settled in year 11 and just managed to graduate from high school. failed so many subjects at University and just scraped through with a pass. Manic in summer and depressed in winter during Uni but learnt to push through teh fog as I grew older and function. Fast forward to today aged 59......very depressed....have tried 5 antidepressants from 2017 to now. As you say, when its not working they just up the dose. Currently on bupropion 300mg (Wellbutrin i think its called in the US). Irritability was the hall mark , so divorced after 33 years when my behaviour (rude and angry) just became too much for my amazing wife....a tragedy...told my psychiatrist that I might have BP11 and can I try lamicatal....he said no! its depression but wrote me a prescription anyway. I start next Friday at 50mg of lamicatal. My kids love me and we divorced gracefully without lawyers and I have many friends and am going for a great job and have held great jobs (interestingly lost all of those 5 jobs because of moody outbursts), so its not all disaster but it sure sounds like BP11 to me. Praying the lamicatol works next Friday and a bit scared of the side affects as it is a pretty heavy duty drug. Mental illness is such a drag. stay well and well done for rebuilding your life. ant
i have great sympathy for you.. i have bipolar 1 and finally
i was diagnosed when i was 42. i got it from my mother. she it, my oldest sister has it and my son has itI wish that my son would seek some help! my daughter says that bipolar isn’t real and she works in ahospital is a registerd nurse! shs yells at me when try to talk to her! i didn’t abuse my kids once and this is the way she treats me! i have recently tell myself thatshe doesn’t exist. so i have nothing to do with her and for as long as i live!
how concerned should you be about someone relative or friend with bipolar disorder ? treated and untreated, letting it effect your focus on your own life.
After after 6 years of trying different psychiatric medication, therapy, diets. I have decided to live without medication and accept my type 2 bipolar disorder… I can’t understand that the only solution is to take medication on higher dosis every time you feel bad.. I’m open to tell my story and how my environment and Circunstancies triggered symptoms.
Please tell us
Yes please…
How can share my story where my ex wife and family never accepted her bipolar. That’s push her break the marriage. I want to share my sociological perspective how society see to bipolar people and how it effects relationships.
We help to share blogs and personal stories of bipolar disorder on our websites all year round. Please feel free to get in touch with us at team@talkBD.live
Same here. My husband is bipolar 2, I have read books and watched lectures. The NHS sectioned him in 2018 and after 6 months of sedating him, concluded depression, as they didn’t see mania (hypomania) They wouldn’t accept my stories, and that he was depressed in winter and manic in summer (2021 he stole £30k off me!) Last summer he went to Portugal (after me looking after him for 2 years he ‘escaped’ and hasn’t come back. But there he was sectioned and hospitalised and diagnosed with bipolar after talking to me….but back in the U.K. they still don’t record him as being bipolar……
you are a psychiatrist?@@lynnvandyke1065
all psychiatric med providers are supposed to screen for mania, hypomania and depressive severity prior to any meds.
When they found out what kind of back injury I got as a child they knew that they'd be able to just get rid of me
I have no motivation doing things on my own. And I'm very isolated and alone. Doesn't help.
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What percentage of bipolar people who have the disease have trauma in their childhood that could have awakened the dragon within?
Probably most.
aka personality disorder
I had a very normal, happy childhood and still got bipolar at 18
@@mrsthatcher9815Bipolar is a brain disease that needs medication. It is NOT a personality disorder. They’re two completely different things
Seems to be a trigger and not a cause. I too had a happy upbringing.
We have stigma for a reason so we make conclusive choices as mothers so our children and grandchildren dont suffer your afflictions
yes but recently i decided to never have anything to do with daughter agaid….. 😢😢😢😢😢😢
i pretend she doesn exist
@@CindySutter let's hope you didn't have children as we don't want more sacrifices
@@CindySutter you had children with full knowledge of your afflictions and expected her to have a long and vibrant life ha ha
@@PEMDASbaby oh, here you are! i thought that i made it clear that i didn’t know what bipolar is until i was dagnosed as having bipolar1 my children were already gron up by then ! i never knew about my family history either until recently. i’m 66 and still learning things about myself. i had a very bad complication to one diabetes med about ten or 15 years ago and almost died! i found out that i got from my mother as well as my oldest sister, and my son has it! my son says nothing about it to anybody, not even his wife. he does talk to me and never goes into the details. i think he is totally embarrest ! i always knew that he was very sensitive person .
Crest
You need head and shoulders for girls for bipolar 11.
Peanut butter
I wonder what they did to you guys