#179 -What 10 Years of Bipolar Misdiagnosis Actually Does to You

She wasn't depressed. She was manic. And her doctor put her on antidepressants anyway.Alessandra Torresani — actress (Caprica, The Big Bang Theory, American Horror Story) and NAMI ambassador — spent over a decade misdiagnosed before learning she had Bipolar I Disorder. In this episode, she joins me to unpack what that decade cost her, how she got stable, and what she wishes every patient knew before walking into a psychiatrist's office.Alessandra brings firsthand experience managing Bipolar I Disorder, including more than three years off all psychiatric medication through pregnancy and breastfeeding. Drawing on my 11 years of clinical psychiatry before moving into regenerative medicine, we cover antidepressant-induced mania and its link to suicidal ideation, why bipolar disorder is routinely misdiagnosed as ADHD, and the symptom-tracking method that shortens the path to an accurate diagnosis. Alessandra walks through the non-pharmaceutical tools that kept her stable through pregnancy: transcendental meditation, breathwork, hypnobirthing, menstrual cycle tracking, clean nutrition, and ballet. I share emerging research on stem cell therapy for alcohol addiction, including animal studies showing up to 80% reduction in drinking behavior, along with how GLP-1 medications and NAD IV infusions are being used to reduce cravings and ease opiate withdrawal.We also get into the overprescription of stimulants like Adderall in young children, and why ruling out lifestyle factors — sleep, nutrition, screen time — should come before a prescription pad.And Alessandra shares why, despite being told speaking openly about her diagnosis would cost her her career, she refused to stay quiet.We talk about:• 00:00 Misdiagnosed with bipolar her whole life• 03:06 The myth that bipolar equals creativity• 04:30 Hiding a bipolar diagnosis in Hollywood• 06:32 Early childhood anxiety and perfectionism at age 5• 08:00 Why bipolar disorder takes 10–12 years to diagnose• 15:39 Antidepressant-induced mania and suicidal ideation• 17:24 Identifying bipolar I disorder in adulthood• 19:42 Managing bipolar without medication during pregnancy• 34:26 Tracking symptoms before starting psychiatric medication• 38:42 Stem cell therapy reduces alcohol cravings in studies• 40:46 GLP-1s and NAD IV therapy for addiction recovery• 43:52 NAMI resources for postpartum depression and anxiety🔗 Additional Resources:✨ Follow Alessandra on Instagram: instagram.com/alessandratorresani ✨ Follow Alessandra on TikTok: tiktok.com/@iamalessandratorresani ✨ Subscribe to Alessandra's YouTube: youtube.com/@Iamalessandratorresani ✨ Listen to Emotional Support Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emotional-support-with-alessandra-torresani/id1476940278 Visit My Clinic: Chara Health 🌐 chara-health.com 📍 9568 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 91311 📲 Call (818) 356-8232 or email [email protected] to make an appointment or go to joykongmd.com and fill out a contact form.✨ Learn more about how to live a long and pain-free life: joykongmd.com ✨ Follow me on Facebook: facebook.com/stemcelldrjoy ✨ Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/dr_joy_kong —Dr. Joy Kong is a regenerative medicine and anti-aging expert. Her podcast is part of her mission to reduce suffering and elevate happiness. Join us every week for the latest holistic health insights that will help you live a long and pain-free life.