Inside Bipolar

Most of us want to get rid of depressive periods, but we aren’t as sold on getting rid of manic periods. And why should we be?   Why won’t doctors just do what we want and relieve our depression while not messing with the often incredibly enjoyable symptom of mania? Join us as Gabe and Dr. Nicole explain why the disorder — and the human body — just don’t work that way. To learn more -- or read the...

Are you interested in the pros and cons of using over-the-counter supplements to treat bipolar disorder? Some people are curious about them and others feel they are equivalent to prescription medications. But, what’s the reality?  Join Gabe and Dr. Nicole as they share the potential pitfalls of using supplements as a front-line treatment and discuss some of the more popular vitamins and supplement...

Many of us have been told that maintaining a consistent routine is the key to living well with bipolar disorder. But does that ever annoy you? Does it feel like you’re being treated like a child? After all, the idea of having a routine sounds like something a toddler does, not an adult.  Listen as Gabe and Dr. Nicole discuss what the concept of routines gets wrong as well as what it gets right. Th...

Our host, Gabe Howard, often remarks that mania has the best public relations team in the world. Why else would mania be described as an unbelievable feeling of well-being and pure bliss? It seems mania is only ever discussed as an overwhelming positive experience.  For many people, mania doesn’t include a euphoric feeling — prompting the question, is it even mania? In fact, is there such a thing...

Our host, Gabe Howard, used to weigh over 550 pounds. These days, he maintains a healthier weight — and has done so for over 20 years. Many people, including Gabe, feel that binge eating is an example of self-medicating. Using something — in this case food — to mask the symptoms of bipolar disorder.  If you feel that you may binge-eat as a way to deal with the symptoms of bipolar disorder, this ep...

What about medical marijuana as a treatment for bipolar disorder? Now that cannabis is legal in many states, many people want to try smoking as a primary treatment method. Realistically, even before cannabis was legalized and regulated, people touted its benefits as a treatment of all kinds of mental health issues from depression to psychosis. But is it true? Join us as Gabe shares his own experie...

Are you depressed in the morning and manic in the evening? Do you think that means you are a “rapid cycler”? What if it turns out that’s not the definition at all? Listen in as Gabe and Dr. Nicole discuss what rapid cycling is — and is not. As an added bonus, Dr. Nicole will tell us all about ultra rapid cycling and even ultra ultra rapid cycling. There is much to learn and a lot of nuance to unpa...

About 50% of women with bipolar disorder receive their diagnosis after the birth of a child — during the postpartum period. Despite that large number, there is little information available on the possibility of pregnancy triggering an initial episode of mania or other symptoms of bipolar. Jessica Ekhoff joins us as the first guest of Inside Bipolar. Ekhoff has postpartum bipolar disorder. She shar...

Bipolar disorder does have a genetic component, meaning if you have bipolar, your children are at an increased risk of having it themselves. But what does that mean on a practical basis?  How do you know if your child actually has bipolar or if you might be seeing something that isn’t there? Is the “symptom” you see an indicator or just normal teenage behavior? Join us as Dr. Nicole and Gabe discu...

Even though we all know that movies are fictional, alien robots don’t exist, and no one has magic powers, we often think pop culture portrayals of people with bipolar disorder — which are often negative — are accurate. In rare cases when people with bipolar disorder are shown as being successful, they are unrealistically successful — genius crime fighters, concert pianists, or movie stars.   Join...

We have probably done things we’re not proud of while in the midst of a bipolar episode. But it isn’t our fault, right? After all, bipolar disorder isn’t our fault.  Listen in as Gabe and Dr. Nicole explain why thinking that way could negatively impact your relationships and life. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Meet Your Inside Bipolar Podcast Ho...

We have talked a lot on this show about dating and how to start a relationship when you have bipolar disorder. But what about if you are already in one? What about those of us who aren’t dating, but are already married or in a long-term relationship?   Tune in as Gabe and Dr. Nicole discuss ways to manage your condition in the context of your relationship and why your partner’s help can be invalua...

Are you happy? No matter your answer, you might be asking the wrong question. Is happiness an emotion, a state of being, a destination, or an achievement? It turns out that happiness is not as cut and dry as we’ve been led to believe.  Listen as Gabe and Dr. Nicole answer the surprisingly nuanced question: “Can people with bipolar disorder be happy? To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit...

It isn’t always possible to prevent a manic episode, but in today’s episode, we discuss possible techniques to try and stop mania in its tracks. Bipolar disorder is a cyclical illness and it’s important to remember that despite our best efforts, we can fall into mania. Join us as Dr. Nicole and Gabe discuss some strategies for preventing mania and tips for minimizing the potential damage from a ma...

You can do everything “right” and still find yourself in a depressive episode. This is largely because bipolar disorder is a cyclical illness. But what are some things you can do to minimize your chances or to break free? Join us as Gabe and Dr. Nicole give us some tips for recognizing, heading off, and even pulling out of a depressive episode. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please vis...

Should we tell children about a loved one's (or our own) bipolar disorder diagnosis? Just like discussing sex with children, talking with kids about mental illness is fraught with difficulty. But does it need to be? In this episode, Gabe and Dr. Nicole discuss when kids are old enough to be told, what you should tell them, and why it may be dangerous to avoid the topic. To learn more -- or read th...

“Mania has the best public relations team in the world” is Gabe's favorite “Gabe-ism.” It seems like everyone with bipolar disorder invariably remembers it as an amazing awe-inspiring time. Society, too, romanticizes mania, thinking about it often in positive ways. But is mania really that great or is this another example of bipolar disorder lying to you? What makes people remember mania so fondly...

It is that time of year again: time to get with your extended family for the holidays. If you are not looking forward to it, join the club. A lot of people with bipolar disorder — and a lot of people in general — have trouble navigating complicated family dynamics. Join us as Gabe and Dr. Nicole shares some tips and tricks on getting through the holidays — or any other big gathering. To learn more...

It should come as no surprise that the death of someone you love can cause duress. No one is at their best after someone they care about passes away. Grief is a difficult and misunderstood emotion that often leads to mental health challenges for even the most stable of people. However, if you are managing bipolar disorder, how do you manage grief? To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please...

Agitation is a real and somewhat common symptom of bipolar disorder. Many people experience it and often we don’t even realize it. Today’s episode covers how agitation presents and some common warning signs. We also mention the subtle differences between being agitated in a clinical sense and being irritable in a typical range of human emotions. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please vi...

It’s no secret that there’s stigma around mental health. Offensive comments made about bipolar disorder are enough to drive anyone, well, crazy. Listen as Gabe explores the intricacies of language down to word choice and how comments can impact folks with bipolar disorder. He and Dr. Nicole Washington discuss how language can be an alienating force — sometimes the only language we have to describe...

Have you ever wondered what would happen to you if you didn’t understand that you needed treatment for your bipolar disorder (or other mental illness)? Have you heard of legal concepts like “Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)” or “forced treatment” and wondered how they relate to “lack of insight?” Turns out there’s a name for lacking insight — anosognosia. And it affects some people with severe...

Fatigued. Lethargic. Drowsy. All words that mean you aren’t feeling 100% awake. Many people with bipolar disorder report this symptom — but is bipolar the cause? Could it be a medication side effect, lifestyle choice, or simply not getting enough sleep? Listen in as we discuss the link between bipolar disorder and feeling tired. Learn more -- or read the transcript -- on the official episode page....

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the Inside Bipolar podcast is moving to every other Monday starting September 5th. Same great hosts, same great content, and same great show -- just biweekly instead of weekly. Please subscribe so you don't miss an episode. In the meantime, if you need a weekly mental health podcast fix, you can check out Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast o...

Did you know that age changes not only potential symptoms of bipolar disorder, but also what care is available, how doctors see the illness, and even our own perspective? It’s even possible for bipolar disorder to show up for the first time in your 50s, 60s, or even later. Listen in as Gabe Howard and Dr. Nicole Washington discuss bipolar and aging — from myths about diagnosis, to whether the symp...