Seeing a Future with Bipolar Disorder
Sometimes you can't see a future with bipolar disorder. I get this. I really do. I have looked into the future with bipolar and it has felt like looking into an endless, black well. But recently, it occurred to me that you can see a future with bipolar disorder, and that future doesn't have to look completely bleak.
This is not a "ra-ra" post. I don't do those kinds of posts. This isn't a feelgood-sunshiney-unicorns-and-rainbows-kind of a post. This is about reality and the reality of having a serious mental illness sucks.
That said, not every moment in the future with bipolar will suck. Of that, I am convinced. I am also convinced that you need to see a future with bipolar disorder in order to successfully live with it today.
Seeing a Future with a Serious Illness
Recently, one of the bloggers here at HealthyPlace disclosed in a blog post that she has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. My heart broke when I read this. Not only does this person have dissociative identity disorder, but she now has to deal with an illness that will, undoubtedly, kill her.
In thinking about her future, I wanted her to know something: I wanted her to know that she still has a future. That future has been unfairly shortened, but she still has a future. She has a tomorrow. And that tomorrow might be amazing.
And I think it's the same thing living with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder can kill you but bipolar disorder won't necessarily kill you.
Seeing a Future with Bipolar Disorder
But whether bipolar disorder ultimately kills you or not, you still have a future. You have a tomorrow. You can see a future even with the biggest, angriest, most horrible monkey on your back. And what you have to know is that every day of your future won't be a slog. Every day will not be agony. Some days will be light. Some days will be joyful. Some days will make you glad that it didn't end today.
And I believe that in order to live your best life today, you need to focus on seeing a future with bipolar disorder. As I said, this isn't about blind positivity, this is about being realistic. And realistically, you do have a future with bipolar disorder and that future is not all bad.
See, I have no doubt that my bipolar disorder will get worse in the future. If the past is any indicator, this will, indeed, happen. I see that in my future with bipolar disorder. That said, I know that the past also tells me that not every moment will be hell. That is also in my future with bipolar disorder. So it's not an endless, black well. I can see some light. I focus on the light in my bipolar future so I can try to work towards that light today.
This is really important because it motivates the now in order to discover a better tomorrow. It reminds me that doing all the things that increase wellness -- sleep schedules, coping skills, resting, routines, etc. -- truly is important. That helps me create that better future that I know is out there.
So in short, a future with bipolar disorder may not be easy, but a future with bipolar disorder exists. And even if it's hard, that future doesn't have to be a bad thing.
APA Reference
Tracy, N.
(2019, January 2). Seeing a Future with Bipolar Disorder, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, November 7 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/breakingbipolar/2019/1/seeing-a-future-with-bipolar-disorder
Author: Natasha Tracy
There is a future with Bipolar - but it gets broken and ruined. I've suffered for 25 years now. Been hospitalised- had ECT - been Sectioned- lost jobs its ruined relationship s . Why should I want to go through anova 25 yrs of hell - done coping strategies CBT - there are no answer s but why should I go on to look forward to more n more Disruption
Hi Liz,
I understand what you're saying. I've said it many times myself. I know desperation with this disease very, very well.
That said, I did address this exact topic on my personal blog (not associated with HealthyPlace): https://natashatracy.com/mental-illness/depression/continue-fight-pain-depression/
Please take a look at it. I fully understand your point.
- Natasha Tracy