The uninformed public may believe that people with bipolar disorder are volatile constantly, swinging between mania and depression, but this mischaracterizes our actual lived experience. In fact, those of us who have received a correct diagnose and are following a treatment plan experience a stable mood known as euthymia. Stemming from the Greek word forContinue reading “Euthymia: Neither Manic nor Depressed”
Monthly Archives: June 2021
Medicated Moods: Depression
I have only recently come to the realization that I can still experience mood shifts while medicated. For years after my bipolar diagnosis, I assumed that if I was taking my medication as prescribed that I would be symptom-free. Boy, was I wrong. Even after fine-tuning my medication regimen to the point where I experienceContinue reading “Medicated Moods: Depression”
Healing Journey: Postpartum Post-Mania Recovery
Navigating pregnancy without medication, my manic moods swung for months between the ecstatic highs of euphoric mania to the agitated episodes of the dysphoric variety. This experience was not only emotionally taxing; it took a tole on my physical body as well. I experienced a decreased sensitivity to pain such that I was prone toContinue reading “Healing Journey: Postpartum Post-Mania Recovery”
Chasing ‘Normal’ | Seeking Stability
The Oxford Dictionary defines recovery as “a return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength.” But what is a normal mental state? The biomedical model of mental illness has tried to convince us that binaries — normal and abnormal, stable and unstable, sane and insane — exist. Proponents of the recovery model reinforceContinue reading “Chasing ‘Normal’ | Seeking Stability”
Thinking with Audre Lorde: The Politics of Disclosure
Since beginning my PhD in Anthropology, I’ve wrestled with how to navigate the politics of disclosure vis-à-vis my psychiatric diagnosis. I’ve been playing it safe by (mostly) keeping that part of my identity to myself. For many people, especially those with other marginalized identities, holding their mental health diagnosis to their chest is a modeContinue reading “Thinking with Audre Lorde: The Politics of Disclosure”
Healing Journey: Peer Support
There are some episodes you barely notice and others that change your life forever. At the end of my last life-altering episode, I was married, pregnant, and a prospective PhD student at NYU. My entire world recalibrated. I lost beloved friendships. I accumulated a sizable amount of debt. I became a revolving door ER patientContinue reading “Healing Journey: Peer Support”
Nadia Naomi Mbonde 