Bipolar Role Models: We All Need Them

When I was released from the mental hospital with a diagnosis of bipolar 2 disorder, one of the biggest challenges I faced was finding people I could relate to who had a mental health condition. In the media, the images and movies portrayed people with bipolar disorder as unkempt, violent and deranged individuals. It was not until I began to do in-depth research about bipolar disorder and got involved in the mental health community that I began to find role models who I could relate to.

The Positive Impact of Having a Bipolar Role Model

I found women with bipolar disorder who embraced their flawed self and managed their mental health to the best of their ability and embraced their condition. It's had a profoundly positive impact on my life and has shaped the way I view my life with bipolar disorder.

In this video, I discuss who some of these role models with bipolar disorder are and how they affected me.

Celebrity Role Models with Bipolar Disorder

More information about each role model I mention in the video. These women stuck out because of their bold and fearless attitude, which encouraged me to come forward with my diagnosis of bipolar 2 disorder.

• Patty Duke: American actress and mental health advocate who was one of the first people to speak publicly about bipolar disorder. She revealed her struggle with bipolar depression in an autobiography. She died on March 29, 2016, at the age of 69.
• Demi Lovato: Famous singer, actress and mental health advocate, who is diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder.
• Catherine Zeta Jones: Actress and mental health advocate who came forward about receiving treatment in 2011 and 2013 for her bipolar 2 disorder.
• Carrie Fisher: Actress and mental health advocate who was very vocal about her life with bipolar disorder. She died on December 27, 2016, at the age of 60.

Do you have a role model with bipolar disorder? How has he/she made a difference in your life? I'm looking forward to reading your comment.