Bipolar Disorder Success Stories

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The artist known as AUDFACED shares how a bipolar disorder diagnosis helped her trade hypomania for true stability. Editor’s Note: We first shared Cat’s story in 2022. While life has moved forward for Cat since then, her journey offers timeless lessons in resilience and self-discovery that remain just as powerful for our community today. Medical...

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In this candid interview, the author of Phoenix Girl shares how cultural pressure, bipolar, and body shame shaped her journey toward self-love. In her bold and deeply personal memoir, Phoenix Girl: How a Fat Asian With Bipolar Found Love (released in May 2025), Michelle Yang opens up about the struggles she once kept hidden —...

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Despite stigma and misunderstanding, many people with bipolar disorder find ways to live with purpose and peace. Here’s what helps. In an effort to combat the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health conditions, I’ve been writing and speaking publicly about my experiences with bipolar disorder for nearly a decade. In that time, I have encountered...

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The famous actress and advocate shared her life with bipolar disorder, offering hope and support to others facing similar challenges. Editor’s Note: Patty Duke, an acclaimed actress and mental health advocate, passed away on March 29, 2016, at the age of 69. Five years before her death, bp Magazine interviewed Duke, where she spoke openly...

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Though some bipolar traits helped them function at a high level, three people weigh in on the hurdles to get and keep them there. High Achievement With Bipolar Disorder Entrepreneur Ted Turner, actor Richard Dreyfuss, and broadcast journalist Jane Pauley. All reached the top of their game — with bipolar disorder. Seemingly, the traits that...

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Kay Redfield Jamison, celebrated researcher and hero to the bipolar community, uses her own experiences with mania, psychosis, and suicidal depression to enrich research into the historical and cultural roots of psychotherapy and other curative practices in her new book Fires in the Dark: Healing the Mind, the Oldest Branch of Medicine.  Kay Redfield Jamison,...

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Fatherhood and family have inspired Sinclair Ceasar III to make lifestyle changes necessary to manage his bipolar 1 disorder. Bipolar Disorder and Identity Sinclair Ceasar III can frame his identity through various descriptors: husband, Black man, man of faith, college administrator, mental health speaker. And at the top of the list: #girldad. The hashtag phrase...

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This award-winning filmmaker uses artistic pursuits, exercise, and “flow states” to give his bipolar meaning and help ease his manic and depressive extremes. Los Angeles film director Nick Cavalier, 35, made his mark in 2015 with Forced Perspective, his award-winning character portrait of artist Derek Hess—a creative with bipolar disorder, as is Cavalier. The filmmaker’s...

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In her twenties, Paris Prynkiewicz managed to move past trauma, embrace her personal growth, and establish a system that keeps her bipolar I stabilized. When Paris Prynkiewicz showed up for her new job as a case manager at a mental health facility in 2018, she recognized the receptionist behind the glass window at the check-in...

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The Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright, actor, and director talks outsized emotions, self-compassion, new relationships, and her sold-out world debut of Shhhh. When playwright Clare Barron’s daily cycle of emotional extremes was finally diagnosed as bipolar II disorder in 2016, she was already an Obie-winning darling of theater critics. She continued her successful run with a...

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Former performance poet Bassey Ikpi is tired of retelling her story about dark times and struggles with bipolar depression. She wants you to know that it’s worth putting in the work to get healthy and stay there. Performer & Activist In the world of Google searches, Bassey Ikpi has two major claims to fame. The...

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He fended off bipolar depression as his life fell apart. Now Rick Killpack’s helping others as part of a mental health mobile crisis unit. Unemployment Catalyzes a Career Last year, Rick Killpack was jobless and living in a tent in a state park outside of Park City, Utah. He sees irony in the fact that...

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The innovative chef behind the Momofuku empire opens up about his bipolar depression and anger in hopes of helping others get help Pursuing a Sense of Purpose with Bipolar Depression As David Chang tells it, he owes his culinary empire to a severe bout of bipolar depression.  When he opened his first restaurant in 2004,...

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After raising two kids alone and running the family business, this manager stops denying her diagnosis and seeks tools to manage her bipolar I disorder. Raising two children as a single parent. Climbing the professional ladder into the upper executive echelons. Doing it all while yo-yoing emotions made most days a study in fortitude. That...

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Edward Dramberger, PhD turned a thirst for travel into a career in hospitality and tourism. As a speaker, author, consultant and traveler, he has touched down in 180 countries and has lived and worked abroad. His recent book The Destination Diaries: How to Travel for Life describes his travel experiences from around the world—all while...

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Olympian, author and advocate Amy Gamble used her winning spirit, heart and determination to help her overcome her greatest opponent—bipolar disorder When Amy Gamble walked into the Olympic Stadium in Seoul, South Korea, during the 1988 Opening Ceremony, the young athlete was living her dream. The same spirit and drive that took her to the Olympics...

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Businesswoman Alison’s bipolar depressions were hard on the whole family when her son and daughter were growing up. She is working with them to address lingering guilt. Stigma by Association Magnets and decals for sports teams, school mascots, and the honor roll are nothing unusual to see on the back of a family’s car. But...

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She was chronically depressed, but, with the help of her dog, she discovered the transformative power of running. She’s run 3 full marathons, 28 half-marathons in 18 states, and 100 shorter races—surprising even herself. Nearly 50 years old and dealing with bipolar II’s chronic and crippling depression, Nita Sweeney could barely jog for 60 seconds....

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With the re-release of his best-selling Hurry Down Sunshine: A Father’s Story of Love and Madness, Michael Greenberg updates and reflects upon his experiences parenting his daughter, who lives with bipolar. A best seller when it was first published in 2008, the memoir Hurry Down Sunshine: A Father’s Story of Love and Madness, by Michael...

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For those with a dual diagnosis of bipolar plus substance use, entertainment journalist Conor Bezane has been there, done that—and he compiles inspiring peer stories to share. World Bipolar Day Update March 2021: I have bipolar disorder. I’m gay. And I’m a recovering alcoholic. To put it succinctly, I am other. In a sense, I’ve...