I’ve just discovered your channel while trying to research what appeared to be an extreme episode of mania that my best friend experienced for the first time this week (she’s 21 with a family history so we’re trying to explore her options). She was unrecognisable and bordering on appearing psychotic with extreme delusions and hyperactivity and the inability to dictate what was reality and what was not. It was very frightening as I’ve known her for 6 years and she’s never had an episode like that before. Regardless, I’m happy I be found your channel because I’m from New Zealand too, currently sitting with a PTSD diagnosis, agoraphobia, anxiety and depression. I’m going through an ADHD referral at the moment but have been told by many therapists that I likely have ASD. However, I’m a 22yo woman who went to the GP for the first time in December 2023 when I hit burnout so there’s a lot to catch up on medically for me. I suffer extreme imposter syndrome, despite scoring 190 on the RAADS-r test, and multiple therapists and GPS encouraging me to see a psychiatrist for an official assessment but I was scared to go ahead until I watched a few of your videos. Anyway, sorry for the ramble but thank you for what you’re doing!

What do you mean by dissociating? Can you give the example of driving? What happens?

Hi Xanthe, I've just discovered your channel and want to say thankyou for calling out the self diagnosis crowd. I subbed because I appreciate your opinions and dialogue. I bought your 2 books and am enjoying your writing style. Cheers, Jen.

Good luck! Are you taking medication?

No way you're over 50, you look 30! You are very pretty. Nice video. Have you tried going swimming, it does wonders for the body. See ya

You're not crazy. You are a very special person.

Thank you very much. Very interesting & helpful

Brave soul!! Thank you for your courage 🙏🏼🙌🏼 💪

Aotearoa not NZ

They are walking contradictions

Kiwi? Thanks for sharing. This made me sad. I've BP2 and have my own battles, but your BP1 looks really really tough. Love your tattoo. Keep pushing through mate.

Loop earplugs. No music just silence. Sleep. That’s all. Accept the crash, know it will end…and sleep. ❤️

I commend you for doing this I been lately that this really helps thanks for posting

That looks amazing!!

Thank you for sharing. I hope this was not too emotional to read. I thought you had tears in your eyes during this video.

Thank you for the education. 🙏🏻

I just had my heart broken from a bipolar ex who cycled and just decided to break up with me for no reason. Nothing was wrong and everything was going fine in our relationship. I’ve never known a pain this brutal. The person had informed me they were bipolar early on when we first met. I knew a bit about the illness and certainly expected changes in mood and maybe even periods of not seeing each other, but I never expected to just be brutally discarded out of the blue when the very first cycle hit. They just coldly blocked me from everywhere on social media and then over text without responding to me at all. It feels like a complete lack of empathy. I am assuming they are unmedicated. I’m having such a hard time coping with this. The lack of closure and suddenness was like a jolt to my system. I feel almost like time has just frozen still unable to move forward. It makes no sense to me how this person can still be able to communicate with family members and co workers at their job but just shut me out during an episode. I can’t find any information helping me make sense of this. I can totally understand wanting space and time alone, but how does it make sense that they have no problem talking to family members and people at work but close out the person who tried to love them? I guess it wouldn’t be a mental illness if it made sense

Well presented and thank you.

Hi Xanthe, have you been following the research on the ketogenic diet and bipolar disorder? Mountng evidence is pointing to bipolar and other mental illness being a metabolic disorder. I have been following a low carb diet with good results for myself. I find I am enjoying spending time wit other people more, usually I would need a lot of alone time. The research is being funded by the Baszucki Group. There is a youtube channel called Metabolic Mind which has some good videos on this.

Being dismissed and gaslighting makes me want to scream.

I end up wearing noise cancelling headphones indoors most days due to the annoying cars and motorcycles constantly creating noise pollution.

I understand. Two great songs with your name are: Wood kid - Pale Yellow Fiend, Mystic State - Goodnight, Yellow ❤️🖖🎧

@BipolarCourage - Hi is your novel Pet Purpose: Your Unspoken Voice on Amazon Kindle? When you were destroying things are you consciously aware of it? Crushing things, stepping on things, throwing things, sledgehammering stuff and so on? Trying to "kill the angel of death" as you said. Can those with Bipolar drive a car? I am not Bi Polar. I am trying to understand it. Take care you are very brave. I just subscribed to tyour channel too. :)

Hi is your novel Pet Purpose: Your Unspoken Voice on Amazon Kindle? When you were destroying things are you consciously aware of it? Crushing things, stepping on things, throwing things, sledgehammering stuff and so on? Trying to "kill the angel of death" as you said. Can those with Bipolar drive a car? I am not Bi Polar. I am trying to understand it. Take care you are very brave. I just subscribed to tyour channel too. :)

i thought My alarm was goin off

Hi, I am shocked by how similar we are. I even have the betlbag and I do the same. I still don't have tips on how to beat the mania, but yours videos are helpful. I do definitely expirience the need to be artistic during hypomania, but never channel it. These are going to be my plans for the future. Greetings.

Is this like a skit?

Not gonna lie... she's hot. I bet she's wild in the bedroom.

Were you checked for functional neurological disorders ?

Hope you feel better

Sorry that you got stressed out. I have a hard time with my memory also. I was wondering what caused your PTSD. I was able to get some sleep tonight but it's hard to relax.

I fidget due to impatience. I finger flick due to stimming. I don't have tics. I am agitated that I tremble by thunder noises and a flying cockroach/bee.

Is this acted?

Ok the destroying stuff part is concerning.

Book Called to Forgive by Reverend Anthony B. Thompson.

As a fellow bipolar person, Of course you’re stripping to Britney ☠️ that must be a shared experience

I have a belly and belly button fetish as well I love how soft womens belly are I play with it and rub it because it’s just attractive to me some people may find that weird but it’s totally normal

bursting into tears here as for the first time I don't feel alone and I can see the person experiencing what I am. you are so brave and kind to share this!!!!!!! i am not alone and I want to tell you we can do it!!!!!!!!! please stay strong, wish I was there to say this to you. you matter!

Dear Xanthe thank you so much for all your videos. You have helped me so much! I wrote you on facebook hope you read it. i did not want to write it here as I can relate to what you say in your videos and I felt more secure writing a letter to you on face book. thank you you are. a beautiful soul!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for sharing your experience. You rock. The thought of you dance-walking and blowing bubbles makes me happy. You're a good human!

Thank you so much for your candid video concerning your bipolar 1 disorder. You have mirrored my journey somewhat in regards to getting (or rather not getting) an autism diagnoses. I too am diagnosed with bipolar disorder (with other cormorbid disorders) and I’m afraid to say that this has hindered me getting a full assessment. I also don’t want to be heavily medicated and when I’m struggling I have to really advocate for myself. I’m an illustrator and graphic artist by trade, sometimes I can be the most productive person ever but when anxiety, perfectionism, depression or hypomania hits then work suffers. I mask heavily, have special interests and have sensory issues (this in itself can be exhausting). Pardon my syntax and grammar - I just wanted to show my appreciation and support of what you were conveying. Warmest regards from Yorkshire 🇬🇧

Women's belly buttons are very beautiful to look at especially with a beautiful belly button piercing I really love your cute and very beautiful belly button

You’re very beautiful!

Hey! The algorithm kindly brought your videos into my feed, and I can see why as we share many similar issues and struggles... I'm in Oz but grew up in NZ. Anyway, sending hugs across the pond... ❤

Sending best wishes. Hope you are doing well. I'm so poorly after the stress of Christmas. I don't normally self harm but I have. Am all over the place, not sure whether I'm coming or going. I've had many depressions and highs this year. Have a good 2024

Awesome news. I also despise winz bazar BS with what is and what is not when it comes to assets, nothing like the poverty trap by our system, it's just stupid. Good to see a video from you.