Bipolar – The Manic Medic

Part 13: Dealing with Grief – A Revisit

In this post, I explore my experiences with loss and grief, as well as a concept I learned in therapy. I also talk about dealing with workplace grief.

Part 12: The B-side to my Bipolar

Sometimes life becomes too overwhelming and I lose control, i.e. the record player flips and starts playing the A-side tracks more and more. It glitches and the music spirals into what feels like a never ending repeat of destructive songs.

Part 11: A “meh” state of mind for The Manic Medic

I spoke to my older brother about how I was feeling recently, and he told me it sounded like I had been languishing, I wasn’t depressed, or at least didn’t feel depressed. I certainly can’t remember a point where I was particularly sad, helpless or suicidal. I was just apathetic to life and in a constant state of mental inertia.

Part 10: Mania and Me

If I could make one point to remember, it’s that mania is far more dangerous than depression. It shouldn’t be celebrated as something fun or novel. It’s dangerous and it can kill people.

Career Deliberations

Choosing to specialise in Emergency Medicine with my diagnosis might seem risky. The responsibilities are greater the further you progress in your career, and therefore so does the pressure. With more pressure comes stress, anxiety and the potential to fall unwell.

Part 9: The Manic Medic’s Musings on Treatment and Medication

My compliance with taking tablets varied, and at times when I was younger and more naive, I’d intentionally miss a dose with the hope I’d have more energy and a better mood for the day. This was dangerous…

Part 8: Self-care and relapse prevention

Although I don’t practice mindful meditation daily, I incorporate mindfulness into my life now more than ever. I find it particularly useful during stressful periods.

Part 7: Psychosis and Me

If I were to summarise a psychotic episode, I’d say they’re like being in a living nightmare. All your worst fears and insecurities come out in all their forms.

Stigma surrounding mental illness amongst healthcare professionals

Would you be happy to be treated by a Doctor who had schizophrenia or bipolar? Would you want to receive care from a Nurse who suffered from crippling anxiety and depression?

Part 6: Experiences of my first year as a Doctor

The first time I verified a death was quite a harrowing experience, and I came away from it feeling incredibly empty and drained.