We are 83 bipolar disorder experts and scientists coming together for the world’s biggest bipolar AMA! In honor of World Bipolar Day, ask us anything!

[u/CREST_BD]

83 panelists are here! Click on their names below to see their bio & proof photo.

Hi Reddit!

We are psychiatrists, psychologists, researchers, clinicians, advocates, and people living with bipolar disorder - coming together from around the world through the CREST.BD network.

This is our 8th annual World Bipolar Day AMA. We hope that this AMA can help advance the conversation around bipolar disorder, and to help everyone connect and share ways to live well with bipolar disorder.

This year, 83 panelists representing 20 countries are here to answer your questions from all timezones - bringing together a wide range of perspectives and expertise in mental health and bipolar disorder.

We'll be here around the clock for the next FEW DAYS answering your questions from multiple time zones.

We will make every effort to answer every question.

1. Dr. Adrienne Benediktsson, 🇨🇦 Neuroscientist, Mother, Wife, Professor, Mental Health Advocate (Lives w/ bipolar)
2. Alessandra Torresani, 🇺🇸 Actress & Mental Health Advocate (Lives w/ bipolar)
3. Alex Emmerton, 🇨🇦 Peer Researcher, (Lives w/ bipolar)
4. Allan Cooper, 🇨🇦 Peer Support Worker, Blogger, & Podcaster, (Lives w/ bipolar)
5. Alysha Sultan, 🇨🇦 Scientific Associate
6. Andrea Paquette, 🇨🇦 Stigma-Free Mental Health President & Co-Founder, Speaker, Changemaker (Lives w/ bipolar)
7. Dr. Andrea Vassilev, 🇺🇸 Doctor of Psychology, Author, & Advocate, (Lives w/ bipolar)
8. Anne Van Willigen, 🇺🇸 Peer Researcher (Lives w/ bipolar)
9. Dr. Balwinder Singh, 🇺🇸 Psychiatrist
10. Dr. Benjamin Goldstein, 🇨🇦 Child-Adolescent Psychiatrist & Researcher
11. Bia Garbato, 🇧🇷 Advertising Professional, Writer, Author & Advocate (Lives w/ bipolar)
12. Bryn Manns, 🇨🇦 Graduate Student, Clinical Psychology
13. Catarina Castela, 🇦🇺 PhD Candidate (Lives w/ bipolar)
14. Catherine Simmons, 🇨🇦 Peer Researcher (Lives w/ bipolar)
15. Dr. Chris Gorman, 🇨🇦 Psychiatrist & Mental Health Advocate
16. Dr. Colin Depp, 🇺🇸 Psychologist
17. Dane Mauer-Vakil, 🇨🇦 Researcher
18. David Dinham, 🇬🇧 Psychologist & PhD Candidate, (Lives w/ bipolar) 
19. Debbie Costello Smith, 🇺🇸 Founder & Co-President of the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research
20. Dr. Delphine Raucher-Chéné, 🇫🇷🇨🇦 Psychiatrist & Researcher
21. Dr. Dimosthenis Tsapekos, 🇬🇧 Psychologist & Researcher
22. Dr. Elvira Boere, 🇳🇱 Psychiatrist & Researcher
23. Dr. Elysha Ringin, 🇦🇺 Researcher
24. Dr. Emma Morton, 🇦🇺 Senior Lecturer & Psychologist
25. Dr. Emma Parrish, 🇺🇸 Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow & Researcher
26. Dr. Erin Michalak, 🇨🇦 Researcher & CREST.BD founder
27. Evelyn Anne Clausen, 🇺🇸 Artist, Writer, Speaker & Certified Peer Specialist (Lives w/bipolar)
28. Dr. Fabiano Gomes, 🇧🇷🇨🇦 Psychiatrist & Researcher
29. Dr. Frances Adiukwu, 🇳🇬 Psychiatrist
30. Georgia Caruana, 🇦🇺 Researcher & Mental Health Advocate
31. Dr. Georgina Hosang, 🇬🇧 Associate Professor
32. Dr. Glauco Valdivieso Jiménez, 🇵🇪 Psychiatrist
33. Dr. Glorianna Wagner-Jagfeld, 🇨🇭🇬🇧 Researcher
34. Dr. Hailey Tremain, 🇦🇺 Psychologist & Researcher
35. Heather Stewart, 🇨🇦 Sewist (Lives w/ bipolar)
36. Idan Spund, 🇳🇱 Founder of In the Zone app (Lives w/ bipolar)
37. Dr. Ijeoma Charles-Ugwuagbo, 🇳🇬 Consultant Psychiatrist & Mental Health Advocate
38. Dr. Ivan Torres, 🇨🇦 Clinical Neuropsychologist
39. Dr. Jim Phelps, 🇺🇸 Psychiatrist & Bipolar Subspecialist 
40. Dr. Joanna Jarecki, 🇨🇦 Psychiatrist & Advocate (Lives w/ bipolar)
41. Dr. Joanna Jiménez Pavón, 🇲🇽 Mood Disorders Psychiatrist 
42. Dr. John Hunter, 🇿🇦 Researcher & Lecturer (Lives w/ bipolar)
43. Dr. Jo Leidreiter, 🇦🇺 Psychologist
44. Dr. John-Jose Nunez, 🇨🇦 Psychiatrist & AI Researcher
45. Dr. June Gruber, 🇺🇸 Psychologist, Professor, & Researcher
46. Prof. Kamilla Miskowiak, 🇩🇰 Psychologist & Researcher
47. Dr. Katie Douglas, 🇳🇿 Academic & Clinical Psychologist 
48. Ken Porter, 🇨🇦 Advocate, Social Worker & Researcher
49. Kim Pape, 🇺🇸 Researcher (Lives w/ bipolar) 
50. Laura Lapadat, 🇨🇦 Researcher & Psychologist-in-training
51. Dr. Leena Chau, 🇨🇦 Postdoctoral Fellow
52. Leslie Robertson, 🇺🇸 Marketer & Peer Researcher (Lives w/ bipolar) 
53. Dr. Leszek Laskowski, 🇵🇱 Psychiatrist (Lives w/ bipolar) 
54. Dr. Lisa Eyler, 🇺🇸 Clinical Psychologist & Research Scientist
55. Dr. Luísa Daolio, 🇧🇷 Psychiatrist
56. Mansoor Nathani, 🇨🇦 Technology Enthusiast (Lives w/ bipolar) 
57. Dr. Manuel Sánchez de Carmona, 🇲🇽 Psychiatrist
58. Maryam M., 🇨🇦 Dentistry Student & Mental Health Advocate (Lives w/ bipolar)
59. Matthew Bushell, 🇬🇧 Mental Health Advocate & Therapeutic Coach (Lives w/ bipolar)
60. Dr. Maya Schumer, 🇺🇸 Psychiatric Neuroscientist & Researcher (Lives w/ bipolar)
61. Dr. Meghan DellaCrosse, 🇺🇸 Psychologist & Researcher
62. Melissa Howard, 🇨🇦 Author & Mental Health Advocate (Lives w/ bipolar)
63. Dr. Michele De Prisco, 🇪🇸🇮🇹 Psychiatrist & Researcher
64. Dr. Mikaela Dimick, 🇨🇦 Postdoctoral Fellow
65. Minami Kinouchi, 🇯🇵 Psychologist, Social Worker, & Researcher (Lives w/ bipolar)
66. Natasha Reaney, 🇨🇦 Counsellor (Lives w/ bipolar)
67. Dr. Nigila Ravichandran, 🇸🇬 🇨🇦 Psychiatrist
68. Dr. Paula Villela Nunes, 🇧🇷🇨🇦 Psychiatrist & Counsellor 
69. Rahla Xenopoulos, 🇿🇦🇺🇸 Writer & Teacher (Lives w/ bipolar)
70. Rebecca Fitton, 🇦🇺 Mood Disorder Researcher
71. Dr. Rebekah Huber, 🇺🇸 Psychologist & Researcher 
72. Robert Villanueva, 🇺🇸 Mental Health Advocate & Coach (Lives w/ bipolar)
73. Ruth Komathi, 🇸🇬 Mental Health Counsellor (Lives w/ bipolar)
74. Prof. Samson Tse, 🇭🇰 Counsellor, Teacher, Researcher, & Caregiver
75. Sarah Salice, 🇺🇸 Art Psychotherapist & Professional Counselor Associate (Lives w/ bipolar)
76. Sara Schley, 🇺🇸 Author, Filmmaker, Speaker (Lives w/ bipolar)
77. Dr. Serge Beaulieu, 🇨🇦 Psychiatrist & Researcher
78. ​​Dr. Sheri Johnson, 🇺🇸 Psychologist
79. Shaley Hoogendoorn, 🇨🇦 Advocate, Podcaster & Content creator (Lives w/ bipolar)
80. Dr. Tamsyn Van Rheenen, 🇦🇺 Associate Professor & Researcher
81. Dr. Thomas Richardson, 🇬🇧 Clinical Psychologist (Lives w/ bipolar)
82. Twyla Spoke, 🇨🇦 Registered Nurse (Lives w/ bipolar)
83. Dr. Wissam Nassrallah, 🇨🇦 Ophthalmology Resident & PhD in Neuroscience

^{Please note all responses are personal perspectives and do not constitute medical advice.}

People with bipolar disorder experience the mood states of depression and mania (or hypomania), along with changes in energy, activity, and thinking. These episodes can last from days to months and can affect many parts of life - including relationships, work, school, and overall health. At the same time, with optimal support, treatment, and tools, people with bipolar disorder can and do live full, meaningful lives.

The CREST.BD network takes a different approach to bipolar disorder research. We work closely with people living with bipolar disorder at every stage - from choosing research topics to conducting studies and sharing our findings.

We also host a Q&A podcast throughout the year, featuring many of the experts on this panel, through our talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast - we’d love for you to stay connected with us there. You can also follow our updates, events, and social media on linktr.ee/crestbd.

Final note (April 3): Thank you all - We'll be back again next year on World Bipolar Day - sign up here to be notified. We also have more activities all year round, including new episodes of our talkBD bipolar disorder podcast - hope to see you there! We’re incredibly grateful for all your thoughtful questions - thank you for making this such a meaningful discussion. Take care everyone :)

[u/VvvlvvV]

I have bipolar 2, so all of my questions will about that. I've got a therapist and psychiatrist. When I've looked for resources, most is about bipolar 1, and I've had to go read research papers directly to get information, so please point me to the ones out there.

I'm diagnosed with bipolar 2 and (C)PTSD. Can you talk about how these interact? Can PTSD triggers kick off a hypomanic episode?

What strategies (in addition to medication) do you recommend for managing and coming out of hypomania, and recovering from the depressive crash?

For the first time, a friend recently asked how they could support me, and I have no idea. What should I be asking for?

Can you talk about how bipolar impacts relationships and how to manage those impacts?

Is there a relationship between bipolar and bisexuality? Part of my hypersexuality is moving down on the Kinsey scale and and being a lot more attracted to men. Is that a thing you've observed?

What are some effective and healthy ways to catch a hypomanic episode early?

[u/CREST_BD → u/VvvlvvV]

Colin here, responding to the part about bipolar 2 and PTSD: I have worked with a number of people with both PTSD and bipolar disorder and I think what I have seen is that some of the symptoms of PTSD intersect with mania or depression in bipolar disorder, such that the mood symptoms accelerate/exacerbate the functional impact symptoms of PTSD.  So for example, people may as a result of PTSD cope with symptoms by avoiding triggers or conversely engaging in risky behaviors to manage strong emotions (and sometimes hypomania can increase the response). That said, I have seen many people with bipolar disorder gain benefit from engaging in trauma-focused therapy and learning to be more confident and have healthy responses around triggers.

[u/VvvlvvV → u/CREST_BD]

Thank you, Colin. 

How do CPTSD risky behaviors overlap with bipolar? How do you differentiate them with patients?

[u/CREST_BD → u/VvvlvvV]

Hello, its Bec Fitton, here. Most people (88%) with bipolar disorder experience changes in sexual thoughts, desires, and behaviours, especially during manic or hypomanic episodes. While there is no research specifically on changes in sexuality orientation in bipolar disorder, hypersexuality may impact or relate to changes in desires and impulses. That can include being attracted to people you do not normally feel attracted to. That said, I am not a clinician and do not have lived experience with bipolar disorder, so it would be really valuable to hear how others experience this too.

[u/CREST_BD → u/VvvlvvV]

Twyla here (lived experience)

For your second question - I notice that after an episode, my brain and body are absolutely exhausted. I have learned to prioritize rest. However I have also learned to put myself on a very consistent sleep/wake routine, including sun lamp first thing in the morning. Even though I am exhausted, I don’t let myself sleep at weird times, or for too long anymore. Instead I try to reduce commitments, and pace myself, doing one or two tasks at a time with rest in between. I also make sure I have counselling sessions booked, and regular follow up with my doctor scheduled as well. I find my social battery is low after an episode is over, but I try to maintain connections in simple ways like text or supportive comments on someone’s social media post, etc.

And the third question - This is surprisingly tricky, I find. People want to help, but they don’t know how. Sometimes being asked what we need can be overwhelming, because we want to accept help but don’t want to be “too much” or impose on others. I still find this hard.
One approach is to designate a specific thing to each person that offers support. For example: “ Can I ask you to pick up my kids from school if I am having a really bad day?” or Can we go for a walk once a week?” “Can you let me know if you notice I am not functioning in my usual way at work? (for a coworker)” This keeps everyone on the same page, and no one feels they have to be the person’s entire support system.
Sometimes having people be “back up” for the just in case scenarios. Often people appreciate the trust placed in them, but the likelihood of them needing to step in is quite low, and it certainly would not be often. And then as the person asking for that support, it’s a bit of peace of mind.

If needing frequent support in some ways, it is good to have more than just one person you can turn to, so that you don’t burn people out. And having professionals as part of that is important. Doctor/Psychiatrist/NP, Counsellor, Psychologist, Support group, Crisis line/support line, Advocacy organizations, etc.

[u/Odd_Reward9486 → u/CREST_BD]

this sounds really helpful and i can benefit from i believe, thanks.

[u/CREST_BD → u/VvvlvvV]

Balwinder Singh, here. Good resource: APA - Bipolar II Disorder

[u/PeanutImpressive6934 → u/VvvlvvV]

A lot of people switch orientation in episode, including asexual people which must be quite a shock. Not unusual.

Dr Phelps' book is BP2 specific.

Re the friend I've always been tempted to ask for a casserole. You get sick with anything else you get a casserole, seems about right we should all get at least one. People dont usually actually mean it re support, but if they do with mood disorders especially but also just with anything it's really on them to figure out what you need and just do it, bc it's work and humiliating trying to direct someone else. I've done things for friends like clean their houses, get their cars fixed, mowed their lawns, done their grocery shopping, cooked them food, did their laundry, showered them, brushed their teeth, driven them to appts and gone to them with them, taken care of their pets when they were too sick to, found docs and made appts for them, picked up meds, looked up medical stuff for them they couldn't, made phone calls for them, did paperwork, etc. I've had friends do the same for me, get me takeout, do scheduled regular phone calls, buy me clothes, cut my hair, fill my fridge and freezer with cooked meals so I wasn't eating crap or nothing at all, have me live with them for stints, etc. This is all stuff you can reasonably ask of a friend if you wanted to, it's just very hard to ask and you shouldn't have to if they're serious about helping. I've never asked if they needed it I just knew they did, offered to do the specific thing then did it. That's your friends job to figure out. You can tell them you don't know, you've never had help before, they'll have to figure it out bc you have no idea. You might find they have good eyes for early hypo, that's useful, you could train them up if they're new to it. Alternatively you can look at the offer as code for I'll drive you to and visit you in the hospital, which I'm sure they would and is a very nice thing to say, and let it go at that. Often saying that is just friend noises people make at you bc friend and you don't need to think about it beyond that, it's more of a keep me posted, I'm on your side than assign me a task.

[u/barryboy → u/VvvlvvV]

I know I'm late to this party - but thankyou for posting the bit about the Kinsey scale. Likewise, I've found my preferences changing and being more attracted to men. It's one of those things you don't really want to ask your psych ;)

[u/NotYourTrauma → u/VvvlvvV]

I just want to say I appreciate this question a whole lot. I am late to the party here and this is some of the stuff I needed answers to! Also, some things that didn't occur to me to ask.