Can You Have Bipolar and Still Be Happy?

There is no disputing the seriousness of bipolar disorder. The statistics are staggering - that 20% (1 in 5) people with the disorder will kill themselves. However, that applies mostly to untreated bipolar disorder.

As long as your disorder is being treated properly, you have every chance for happiness that someone without the disorder has.

If you take your medication, adhere to a good sleep schedule, eat right, exercise, have a strong support system, and do things that you enjoy doing, there is no reason you can't be happy in spite of having bipolar disorder.

What I'm talking about is YOU being in control of your bipolar, instead of the other way around. You do NOT have to be one of the statistics!

I believe that happiness is a state of mind. I'm not talking about the excessive joy of mania, but that there is room for happiness in your life. You just have to work for it.

At its simplest, happiness is the absence of depression. Realistically speaking, you will still have setbacks on your way to stability, which will affect your state of happiness, but one bad bipolar day does not an episode make. And you will be happy again.

It helps if you have a positive attitude. When I was a negative thinker (or doubter, at best), I had many more episodes than if I had not been.

Today I am stable and happy, in spite of having bipolar disorder, so I know that it is possible.

I'm not saying that it won't be a struggle in the beginning, because it will be, but you can overcome it.

When you reach stability and have good things in your life, do things that you enjoy, be a positive person, and surround yourself with people who love you, that equation can add up to happiness for you.

I can't lie - I still have bad bipolar days. But I always keep in mind that, in general, my life is a happy one, and I will get that back once the mood has passed. And it WILL pass (there's my positive thinking in action).

If you are struggling with your bipolar disorder right now, I would encourage you NOT to lose hope! Your life can be happy again.

Wishing you peace and stability,

Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele