Inside Bipolar

You can be living in a storm and swear it’s a sunny day. That’s what it’s like when insight slips away. In this episode, Dr. Nicole (board certified psychiatrist) and Kit Wallis (lives with schizoaffective disorder) explore why people with serious mental illness, like bipolar disorder, often can’t see their own symptoms — even when the evidence is undeniable. Dr. Nicole unpacks the science behind...

You’ve received a new diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Now it’s time to sharpen your survival toolkit. In part two of this essential series, Gabe Howard (Lived Experience) and Dr. Nicole Washington (Board Certified Psychiatrist) dive straight into the signals you can’t afford to miss: the subtle shifts in sleep, mood, and behavior that whisper “episode incoming.” Learn why tracking your patterns tod...

Imagine hearing, “You have bipolar disorder,” and feeling the ground drop out from under you. That moment of shock and confusion is the very reason we made this episode. Join Gabe Howard (lived experience) and Dr. Nicole Washington (board certified psychiatrist) as they transform that initial overwhelm into a powerful first step. In this episode, you’ll discover the essential truths no one tells y...

In this female-centric episode, board certified psychiatrist Dr. Nicole Washington welcomes mental health advocate Kit Wallis, who lives with schizoaffective disorder, for a fearless “girl power” takeover. Kit shares raw stories of being dismissed, sexualized, and romanticized simply for being a woman with a serious mental health diagnosis — and how one doctor’s simple question, “What is it like f...

What if a secret weapon in managing bipolar disorder isn’t a new medication or a breakthrough therapy — but a brisk 20-minute walk? In this refreshingly honest and hilariously relatable episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington take on the least talked about pillar of bipolar stability: lifestyle management, and more specifically, exercise. During a recent bo...

Imagine being fully awake, yet your body refuses to respond — a terrifying state where time seems to warp as you stand paralyzed. In this riveting episode, we dive deep into the elusive world of catatonia as it intersects with bipolar disorder. Drawing from special guest host Kit Wallis’s (SchizoKitzo’s) firsthand experiences, including moments of being physically “frozen” while fully aware, this...

Have you ever felt the crushing weight of doubt when every day is a battle with your own mind? In this episode, Gabe (who lives with bipolar) and Dr. Nicole (a board certified psychiatrist) cut through the BS and get real about staying on track with bipolar treatment. They dive into moments when giving up seems like the easier option and Gabe recalls a painful wake-up call from a friend who wasn’t...

Why is schizoaffective disorder so often overlooked — even by mental health professionals — and how does it relate to bipolar disorder? In this episode, Dr. Nicole Washington sits down with guest host Kit Wallis (aka SchizoKitzo) to discuss Kit’s life managing schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. Kit shares her decade-long journey through multiple diagnoses, from cyclothymia to bipolar I, befor...

Ever wonder what happens when two complex mental health conditions collide? In this episode, host Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and board certified psychiatrist Dr. Nicole Washington, peel back the layers of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and bipolar disorder, challenging the clichés and misconceptions that have long overshadowed these conditions. Using humor, candor, and expe...

Many people with bipolar disorder experience trauma — either from external events or even from the disorder itself. In this episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist, dive into the deep waters of managing trauma with bipolar disorder. They cover the differences between trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), debunking...

Bipolar doesn’t just impact mood — it can take a toll on your sex drive, too. In this frank conversation, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist, break down how both depression and mania affect libido, the frustration of losing sexual desire, and the pressures of maintaining intimacy in relationships. They cover why some people care...

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) often conjures extreme images — either as a medieval torture method or a miraculous cure. But what’s the reality? Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist, dive deep into the facts, debunking myths and exploring the nuances of ECT as a treatment for bipolar disorder. In this episode, they discuss the eff...

Does "bipolar rage" exist, or is it a misunderstood concept? In this episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist, tackle bipolar rage and discuss why it’s not a clinical symptom of bipolar disorder. They explore the differences between anger, agitation, and rage, offering insights for those with bipolar disorder and their loved o...

ADHD and bipolar disorder often share symptoms, but are they truly co-occurring conditions or just two sides of the same coin? Join Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and psychiatrist Dr. Nicole Washington as they tackle one of the most perplexing topics in mental health. They dive into how these diagnoses overlap, how doctors differentiate between them, and why ADHD might sometimes be...

Have you ever heard someone say they miss the “old you” — the life of the party, the one who could stay out all night and keep everyone entertained? For people with bipolar disorder, those “good old days” were often fueled by mania, bringing hidden chaos, risk, and pain. In this candid episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist,...

Does your psychiatrist really understand what you're going through? Navigating conversations with your psychiatrist and other professionals helping you manage your mental health can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! In this episode, Gabe Howard and Dr. Nicole Washington tackle the communication disconnect between patients and mental health professionals. Learn why vague terms like "nervous b...

Love can be exhilarating, but for people with bipolar disorder, it can sometimes blur the lines between infatuation and mania. In this candid episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist, dive into the complexities of new romance through the lens of bipolar disorder. How can you tell if it’s true love, fleeting infatuation, or a s...

Doomscrolling can be especially harmful for people with bipolar disorder, amplifying mood changes and fueling anxiety or depression. In this episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist, dive into the dark world of doomscrolling and why it’s particularly damaging for people living with bipolar disorder. They explore why doomscroll...

Is hypomania something you can use to your advantage, or is that a dangerous game to try? In this episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist, take a deep dive into the nuances of hypomania, its diagnostic criteria, and the widespread belief that it can be harnessed for productivity. They explore why some people may mistake eleva...

What happens when someone with bipolar disorder relapses after years of stability? In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Nicole Washington interviews Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, about his recent mood episode and relapse. Together, they uncover the subtle warning signs Gabe overlooked, the crucial role loved ones—and even strangers—played in recognizing the episode, and the surpris...

Confused about what medically constitutes “bipolar tendencies” or “bipolar adjacent symptoms”? Do you want to understand more about the diagnosis of cyclothymia? You're not alone! In this episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist, tackle the murky waters of “not quite bipolar, but kind of.” They cover what cyclothymia is and ho...

Do cluttered, racing, or disordered thoughts disrupt your daily life? Do you understand the differences between them? In this episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist, unravel what these terms mean, how they differ, and discuss why they’re not exclusive to bipolar disorder. Using relatable analogies and personal insights, they...

Stress-free living is a myth, but stress-proofing your life? That’s a game-changer. In this episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist, share practical strategies to build a "foundation" strong enough to handle the stress that comes with managing bipolar disorder. Whether it’s navigating late-night anxiety or managing specific b...

Balancing a career while managing bipolar disorder can feel overwhelming, especially when symptoms like anxiety, depression, or hypomania strike during work hours. What do you do when you’re at your desk and suddenly feel frozen or out of control? In this episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist, share actionable tips to help...

Is treatment-resistant bipolar disorder a real diagnosis, just a concept, or entirely made up? It may surprise you, but depending on your perspective, an argument can be made for all three. Join Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist, as they demystify what “treatment-resistant” bipolar disorder means. This candid conversation unpack...