63 ~ Living with Bipolar Disorder: Em’s Story of Resilience, Vulnerability and Positivity

In this compelling episode, I have a heartfelt conversation with one of my childhood friends, the beautiful Em Vine, who bravely shares her journey living with Bipolar Disorder. Em opens up about the highs and lows of her condition, describing the manic episodes and depressive states that have significantly shaped her life from when she was a young teenager. We begin by discussing what bipolar disorder is for those unfamiliar with the condition. Em then takes us through her personal experience, from the initial signs that led her to seek help to the moment of her diagnosis. She also shares how she navigates the challenges it presents. Em bravely describes a particularly difficult manic episode and the coping mechanisms she employed to manage it, including a 6-week stay in the hospital. We explore the crucial role that family and friends have played in her mental illness journey, providing support and understanding when she needed it most. Throughout the episode, Em shares the treatments, therapies, and medications that have been most effective in managing her mental illness. She also offers practical advice on coping strategies and self-care practices that help her maintain her well-being. Em’s story is not just about challenges; it’s also about resilience. She talks about her proudest achievements despite the obstacles bipolar disorder has posed and addresses common misconceptions about the condition. For those newly diagnosed or struggling to navigate bipolar disorder, Em provides valuable insights and advice drawn from her own experiences. Tune in to hear Em’s inspiring journey and gain a deeper understanding of what it’s like to live with bipolar disorder. 💗 Thank you so much for being here on this adventure with me! 💗 - Hayley xo ✨ Find us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@beforeyoubloom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠✨ 🎧⭐ Follow us on : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧⭐ Follow us on : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Before You Bloom Podcast is recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. I would like to recognise their continuing connection to land, water, and culture and pay my respects to their elders past, present, and emerging, and any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people listening today.