Ep 2 Bipolar 2 with Birdie Thorn

Summary

Birdie Thorn, author of 'I Am Her, She Is Me,' joins Jade Rose on the Neurodiaries podcast to discuss her experience with mental health. Birdie's novel explores the life of a woman with bipolar disorder who tries to navigate life untreated. The book is based on Birdie's own experiences and emotions. Birdie also opens up about her own mental health conditions, including ADHD, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar II. She shares her journey of getting diagnosed and the challenges she faced in accepting her diagnoses. Birdie and Jade Rose discuss their experiences with bipolar disorder and the challenges they face in managing their condition. They talk about the difficulty of accepting the diagnosis and the importance of finding the right treatment and support. They also discuss the stigma surrounding mental health and the need for more education and understanding in society. Birdie shares her personal journey of coming to terms with her condition and the impact it has had on her family. They emphasize the importance of self-awareness and self-care in managing bipolar disorder.

Find Birdie

@birdies.bipolar.brain 

Buy her book

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0D7QV78Y4?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_au 

Takeaways

• Birdie's novel, 'I Am Her, She Is Me,' explores the life of a woman with bipolar disorder who tries to navigate life untreated.
• Birdie's book is based on her own experiences and emotions, and she wanted to give readers a glimpse into the depths of emotions experienced by someone with a mental health condition.
• Birdie opens up about her own mental health conditions, including ADHD, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar II.
• She struggled with her diagnoses and acceptance, but eventually found the right medication and a system in place to manage her conditions and live a happy life. Accepting a bipolar disorder diagnosis can be challenging, but it is important to come to terms with the condition and seek appropriate treatment and support.
• Bipolar disorder is an invisible condition, and it can be difficult for others to understand the fluctuations in mood and the impact it has on daily life.
• Exercise and lifestyle changes alone are not enough to manage bipolar disorder; medication and a comprehensive treatment plan are often necessary.
• Openly discussing bipolar disorder can help reduce stigma and create a safe space for others to share their experiences and seek support.
• Education and awareness about mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, are crucial in promoting understanding and empathy in society.
• Having a support system that checks in on you and encourages self-awareness can be beneficial in managing bipolar disorder.
• Creativity is often a common trait among individuals with bipolar disorder.
• Living with bipolar disorder requires self-acceptance and understanding that there is no cure, but with proper management, it is possible to live a relatively stable life.

 

Keywords

Birdie Thorn, I Am Her She Is Me, mental health, bipolar disorder, untreated, relationships, friendships, mother-daughter relationship, imposter syndrome, unrealistic expectations, controlling personality, routine, writing, puzzles, anxiety, ADHD, diagnosis, medication, bipolar disorder, diagnosis, treatment, support, stigma, mental health, acceptance, family, self-awareness, self-care