'When I am up I am very up': Life with bipolar disorder

[TexasTowelie]

by Michael Hutchins, Sherman Herald Democrat


Throughout his life, Michael has experienced highs and lows. At times, he would feel a sense of euphoria that would keep him up for one to two days. Other times, he would experience the opposite with crushing lows. For him, this is life with a bipolar disorder.

Throughout the month of October, the U.S. Department of Labor, Texas Workforce Commission and other groups will be recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month and highlight the achievements of workers with disabilities. While some disabilities may be obvious to the naked eye, others, including mental health issues, aren’t as visible.

The term bipolar, also known as manic depression, refers to a spectrum of mental health disorders characterized by periods of depression and periods of elevated mood or euphoria that can last for days or weeks at a time.

“I have been diagnosed with bipolar (disorder), and if I am being honest, when I look back at my work history I can see how it has affected my work,” Michael said in an interview with the Herald Democrat. “At the same time, I don’t look at it from a daily basis and think of myself just as bipolar.”

Read more: https://www.heralddemocrat.com/story/news/2020/10/16/life-bipolar-disorder/3658515001/