Why did I confess?

What it feels like in the middle of a mood episode
Photo by Sonia Remizua on Unsplash

 I had a few people ask me why I posted my confession yesterday.

"Aren't you scared that someone will use that information against you?"

"You'll never find a job if people know [the truth]."

Here's the thing. In America, truthful information about mental health is difficult to find. A lot of stigmas exists around both mental health problems and people who have them. But not talking about mental health will not get rid of the stigmas.

We need to normalize mental health discussions. If a person has ADHD or autism or bipolar disorder, they need to be able to discuss their diagnosis without running into prejudice and bias from society.

Today, that is not the case for the majority of Americans.

I announced my new diagnosis to do my part in helping to normalize bipolar disease. I am not a celebrity; I am a normal person with normal wants and needs. Furthermore, I have a family I love, amazing friends, and a dog who is honestly the goodest boy ever. Having a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is not mutually exclusive to having a life.

So if you have any questions, I will answer them to the best of my ability. If you know someone with bipolar disorder and want more information, I can point you to some great online resources. If you are just curious, awesome!

Only if we work together, can we overcome societal stigma about mental health. Only if we work together, can we make society a safer place for everyone.