What is it Like Living with Bipolar 2 Disorder?

Explaining what it is like living with bipolar 2 disorder is nearly impossible. It is so difficult for me to understand the workings of my mind, so it has become a significant challenge to describe it accurately. It makes me question, can we explain what it's like living with bipolar disorder?

Living with Bipolar 2 Disorder is Like...

It is a rollercoaster of emotions. Sometimes you are up, and sometimes you are down, and you have to do your best to control the speed of the ride. With bipolar 2 disorder, you feel emotions, like empathy, so profoundly, it is painful. Sometimes you are on top of the world, and other times you are at rock bottom. Every day is different. Your mind is like an ongoing storybook, that pauses when or if you fall asleep and then immediately starts back up again as soon as you wake up (What is it Like Waking Up with Bipolar Disorder?). It is a constant adventure of the mind, with ups and downs, turns and twists, sunny days and rainy days. It is the mind I was born with, and as much as it is part of my struggle, it is also part of my success.

Mental Health Conditions Will Always Be a Mystery

It seems even researchers, scientists and psychologists have a difficult time explaining what it's like living with bipolar disorder. In my personal belief, I think mental health conditions will always be a mystery. You can show me the research, give me the scientific terms for the workings of the brain or what you learned from a textbook about bipolar disorder, but the truth is if you do not live with bipolar disorder you cannot truly grasp what it is.

I am hoping in the future, that psychologists and researchers will ask those of us living with bipolar disorder more questions about what it is like living with bipolar disorder and take a break from trying to figure out the science behind it. In my personal opinion, we are the most significant source of information. Those of us who live with bipolar disorder are the ones who live with the answers.