Interview: Diane Mariant – Living with a Bipolar partner

Diane gives talks about living with bipolar disorder. Her husband, David (profiled in this series back in March) had to overcome his own struggles with bipolar. It's estimated that 1 in 50 people in the USA have this disorder. It is also estimated that 20% of people with bipolar disorder will commit suicide either on purpose or by reckless behavior during depressive or manic episodes. Biploar causes more deaths than aids and most forms of cancer. Bipolar disorder is believed to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and is treatable with many different medications. However, medication alone is not enough to effectively control this illness. She and David share what else is necessary to live a healthy happy life in spite of having this devastating illness in their book Surviving Bipolar's Fatal Grip - The Journey to Hell and Back. Diane's presentations describe her own story about living with this illness in her family and offers practical advice to others. She shares a success model and encourages the audience to use strategies such as mood tracking; getting adequate sleep; discovering their own triggers and learning how to lessen those triggers; taking their medicines at the same time every day; and other important strategies that will help them avoid depression, mania, and mixed bipolar states. Pro-Track Profile David and Diane are the only husband and wife team in the 2010 National Speakers Association of Northern California Pro-Track class. I asked Diane what motivated her to get into the speaking business. To hear what she told me, click on the podcast icon below.