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Mik knew something was wrong when at ten years old, she experienced suicidal ideation. What started as something she couldn't understand took her on a journey which ended up with her diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Now, Mik bravely shares her experience through humor and educational videos online and discusses her journey and activism with us.
MiK B is a mental health advocate who lives with bipolar disorder, anxiety, and ADHD. Mik shares her story online with others through TikTok, Instagram, and her website. She is passionate about positively impacting the mental health world through sharing her personal experiences and providing a community for people living with Bipolar disorder. Find her on Instagram and Tiktok @mikb_itme.
Read Mik's letter
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When Sadie finds out she has been diagnosed with bipolar, she doesn’t know what to expect from life. Sadie details her journey with bouts of depression and dealing with binge eating while trying to navigate her way through school. Sadie discovers an empowering journey of activism, finding sobriety, and creating a community of friends who understand what she is all about.
Read Sadie's Letter
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5 steps to take after a bipolar disorder diagnosis
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For Sierra, coming to terms with her diagnosis of bipolar II was a journey. Through her perseverance and with some support from her family she has found that she is living proof.
Read Sierra's Letter https://www.dbsalliance.org/programs-im-living-proof/sierra/
https://www.dbsalliance.org/programs-im-living-proof/ (Learn more about I'm Living Proof )
https://secure.everyaction.com/xBpsJJ7nt0a1iD9FC0EH3Q2 (Support DBSA)
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For Brianna, it was a long road to find the support she needed for her diagnosis of depression and bipolar. Brianna's journey helped her realize that her younger self knew that something was wrong despite people around her telling her otherwise. Brianna takes us through her story and her experiences with living with periods of mania, hospitalization, substance use and ultimately finding people who believe in her and believing in herself. In overcoming a great deal of adversity, Brianna has found that she is living proof.
Read Brianna's Letter: https://www.dbsalliance.org/programs-im-living-proof/brianna/
If you are experiencing Domestic Violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788, find out more here https://www.thehotline.org/
Additional Resources
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence | https://ncadv.org/
Victim Connect Resource Center | https://victimconnect.org/
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For James, leaving school during freshman year to focus on treatment was challenging. While feeling every one of his plans was derailed, through a commitment to his treatment, he comes to find the gratitude for those who helped him seek support. Read James’ letter to his younger self.
https://www.dbsalliance.org/programs-im-living-proof/im-living-proof-james/ (ReadJames' Letter)
https://www.dbsalliance.org/programs-im-living-proof/ (Learn more about I'm Living Proof )
https://secure.everyaction.com/xBpsJJ7nt0a1iD9FC0EH3Q2 (Support DBSA)
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For Katrina, imagining loving everything about herself seemed impossible but in her letter to her younger self, she has come to a place in which she does. She talks to us about her journey to become the mental health advocate and podcast host she is today.
Read Katrina's Letter
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In the last episode of the year, Dontaé and Hannah discuss some of their favorite moments shared within the first six episodes of I’m Living Proof: A Letter to My Younger Self. They also share some more about how you can get more involved with DBSA. If you are interested in sharing your own story on the podcast, we encourage you to submit your own letter. For more information on submitting your letter and read some of our frequently asked questions, see our submission guidelines.
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For Shaun, being diagnosed with Bipolar II provided the clarity he needed to understand his symptoms. However, Shaun quickly came to realize, he isn’t his symptoms, and that mental health is a journey, not a destination. Through connecting with others and a strong support system, Shaun has been able to find what works for his own wellness.
Read Shaun's Letter
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Olivia, Lauren, Johnny, and Maddie have all shared their letters and recorded a podcast for I’m Living Proof: A Letter to My Younger Self. In this special live episode, recorded during DBSA’s 2021 Leadership Summit Conference, DBSA Staff held a discussion with past participants to learn more about what it was like to write a letter to their younger selves. The episode discusses important topics and themes that came across in all their episodes. From suffering in silence to being able to self-advocate, the panel reflects on their journey to date. The podcast also covers important themes such as the role that gender and race played in their experience of a mental health condition and a discussion around the systemic level barriers these panelists faced. This panels inspiring words and the continued dedication to their wellness journeys can inspire other young adults who may be having a challenging time.
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Support DBSA today! Your contributions help us bring you more podcasts like this one.
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For Gwyneth, there isn’t a time she can remember that was free of mental health disorder symptoms. Experiencing hallucinations as early as four years old, Gwyneth shares the incredible journey she has taken through treatment and hospitalizations to becoming the accomplished woman she is today: a mental health and disability advocate, and a leader. Gwyneth says her experiences of living with a mood disorder led to her becoming a creative, insightful, resilient, brave, empathetic, and empowered adult.
Read Gwyneth's Letter here: https://www.dbsalliance.org/programs-im-living-proof/gwyneth/
Learn how to submit your own story: https://www.dbsalliance.org/support/peer-inspiration/im-living-proof-submissions-and-guidelines/
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For Maddie, her wellness journey “isn’t necessarily about ‘reaching the other side’, but rather learning to navigate the darkness of depression.” Having dealt with panic attacks, depression, and anxiety, Maddie found the strength to ask for the help she needed. Now, she’s sharing her story and celebrating the wide support network she found after her diagnosis. Read Maddie’s letter
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In this episode of I’m Living Proof: A Letter to My Younger Self, we hear from Johnny about what it took for him to overcome obstacles and find wellness. Johnny discusses how being diagnosed with a chronic illness at a young age had a long-term impact on his mental health. Having navigated guilt and shame surrounding his mental health difficulties, Johnny is now an outspoken advocate for those struggling like he once did. Johnny’s letter reminds us: Even when faced with systemic issues, young men can heal too.
Read Johnny's Letter to his younger self.
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Learn more about I'm Living Proof: A Letter to My Younger Self.
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In this episode of I’m Living Proof: A Letter to My Young Self, we hear from Lauren, a DBSA Young Adult Council member. She describes her first experience with hypomania, the intensity of feelings it brought, and its impact on her relationships. She also discusses her experiences with establishing treatment and difficulties with insurance, challenges she was ultimately able to navigate. Lauren’s letter reminds us that you can learn to live successfully with bipolar and not be defined by it.
Read Lauren's Letter
Learn more about Bipolar
Check out the DBSA Young Adult Council
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In our first episode of I’m Living Proof: A Letter to My Younger Self, we hear from Olivia, DBSA Young Adult Council member. Olivia’s letter to her younger self describes the challenges she had in confiding in others and asking for help. Olivia describes her journey towards wellness from hospitalization to her work with DBSA support groups. Her letter reminds us the path to wellness is not always a straight line but rather one that it is trending upwards.
Resources
DBSA Support Groups
DBSA offers support groups across the United States. Find out more about DBSA support groups here.
DBSA Young Adult Council
The DBSA Young Adult Council is a group of young adults (ages 18-30) who advise DBSA and create their own content to share with other young adults living with mood disorders. Find out more about the DBSA Young Adult Council (YAC) here.
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If you live with depression or bipolar, when things are at their worst it can feel like things will never get better. It may be when you are first diagnosed or during a difficult event, or for no particular reason that you can pinpoint at all.
What we do know is that these times do pass, and that you are not alone. In fact, when we take time to reflect on our experiences and circumstances, we often find, with overwhelming proof, the strength we have shown during some of our greatest challenges.
DBSA’s blog and podcast series, I’m Living Proof: A Letter to My Younger Self, shares inspiring stories of young adult peers who are living proof that they can overcome even the most difficult times.Learn more about I'm Living proof and submit your story: https://www.dbsalliance.org/programs-im-living-proof/
Listen to the first episode on May 1, 2021
