Unfiltered & authentic - a real-life glimpse of bipolar disorder. Join mental health advocate Shaley Hoogendoorn as she passionately shares her bipolar journey and the journey of others. Shaley's greatest hope is that her work will offer insight, open minds and comfort others.
SHALEY HOOGENDOORN is a podcast host, content creator, speaker and advocate who aims to dismantle the stigma around bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses. She has contributed to publications for Sanctuary Ministries, Psych Central and BP Hope magazine. Shaley hosted a series interviewing women living with mental illnesses at SheLoves Magazine in a series named "Sisters in Mental Illness." She also facilitated a weekly gathering called “Wired” that educated and supported folks with mental illnesses. Shaley is currently the host of the ‘this is bipolar’ podcast, a place where those living with bipolar disorder can share their lived experience. You can connect with Shaley on Instagram @this.is.bipolar.
I've been in denial for years over the diagnosis. Within 5 years, I was diagnosed GAD, MDD, ADHD, and finally Bipolar 2 and ADHD. I maxed out on zoloft and ended up having a psychotic episode where I ended up so sick that I lost tons of weight and was violently ill. Finally treating the ADHD really helped but I still cycle into deep bouts of depression. About a week ago, I went into a deep depression one night and I was forced to see it- which led me here some how. I sleep on average 2-3 hours a night now for months at a time, but im never tired regardless. Just want to say thank you for both of your willingness to be a light in my darkness, and for the first time ever listening to you both makes me feel hope for myself. Keep doing what your doing, you are both amazing.
O Friend 💔 i’m so sorry you’ve had to go through so much suffering. I’m so glad you found us and are getting help. It is such a hard road to walk, but please know you’re not alone. I will be cheering you on and sending you strength as you navigate the illness. Your kind words mean so much. Keep in touch! Much love, Shaley
One of my fave episodes so far. I’m not on instagram anymore because I find that social media isn’t the best for my mental health, but I’d love to get that list of 25 things if you could email or comment under this?
the bpad journey can be brutal and unrelenting...but...things can still be achieved by those who suffer...give yourself the best chance possible....diet. meditation. sleep..interaction..support...exercise...its funny cos i was a uk r&b dj all through the 90s/2000s and used to get sent promo copies of vinyl and Kleshay were one of those uk soul groups that we used to push...
A bipolar disorder diagnosis is like a thumbprint…no 2 people have the same exact symptoms nor do they have the same exact med combo. It’s very specific to each and every person. Each treatment has to be tailored to each person specifically.
How are you feeling about your diagnosis. I have interviewed one other person with cyclothymia in the motherhood episode and hope to share more stories. Sending love & strength. Shaley xx
@@thisisbipolar I'm feeling ok. It's good to know what has been going on and the cause of my constant mood swings since a child. I've been meditating more, not having much caffeine, and definitely limiting the alcohol to once a week.
Shaley, thank you for bringing awareness about the disorder and bringing in all these amazing active people! Love watching your interviews with a cup of matcha), Lee is a cheerful and open person, very much inspiring to listen to! Thanks for sharing your experience of living with bipolar!
I really enjoyed this whole video and the mammalian dive response thing blew my mind too! I especially liked the end and I wanna write something out that I paraphrased from this video that I want to remember as a sort of affirmation: “You’re not alone. Whatever you’re dealing with, someone else somewhere is going through it in their own way. I’m not alone. There are other people all over the world dealing with similar challenges and though we may never meet or even interact, we’re here and we’re getting through it each day. Together. You can get through it. We can get through it.” Thank y’all! I think the work you’re both doing is helping people so much and is indeed saving lives.
34:12 Shaylee ❤ I think your first intuition of "bless them and block them" is probably right for you despite everything. I think this is a question of self-preservation. Just discovered your channel this morning and I love it. Julie is a wonderful person too, I also discovered her channel (sadly inactive since 2021) just recently too and I find it an absolute salvation 🐿🌸🌻🌺🍀
Thank you so so much. Your kind words and support mean a lot. Julie is currently writing a new children's book. She will be back. online once she completes the project. I'll share your kind message.
Thank you Shaley, I think this is a really informative podcast that offers some good coping mechanisms and suggestions to try. I am 59 and diagnosed with BPII about 3 weeks ago...no joke. Despite the fact that my mother was diagnosed with BPI at 38 years old (in the late 70's), was on lithium until death at 43 by cerebral aneurysm, and she had a grandfather that committed suicide via shotgun, which was always documented in medical histories given to new practitioners. I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder in my early 30's, so I've been on antidepressants for 29 years, attempted suicide 5 times in my life starting at age 15 and most recently 3 weeks ago. Many of the bipolar guests you interview have conversations that describe my whole life, but I had a very difficult time convincing practitioners that it was BPII recently (strangely, BPII had never occurred to me before this recent depressive episode when I began my own research about depression) because I didn't have "lack of sleep lasting days" episodes, although I've always had difficulties falling and staying asleep. In addition, I could not articulate any episodes of hypomania because I did not understand it. I thought mania or hypomania always meant positive energy: getting things done, excessive talking, more focus, feelings of extreme well-being, and in BPI, sometimes delusions or psychosis, etc. I had no clue that uncontrolled irritability, racing thoughts, constant pessimism, extreme disagreeableness about everything, and mulling over the same text, email, or off-handed comment, and pressured speech are also very common symptoms in BPII hypomania: I know I've had some of these symptoms last longer than 4 days. Truthfully, it was very difficult to accept some of the things I said or did to people and didn't understand how I could be so "harsh" at times, when I am typically a very open-minded, generous, helpful person. At this age, I am not as concerned about the stigma of the disease as getting qualified provider care, especially in the backwards, Southern state (US) in which I currently live. And, to be able to educate my only daughter and any children she may have. I've been able to progress in my career but notice during the past 12 years that there is a pattern awesome performance when starting a new role and then depressive episodes become more frequent and severe around year 2 or 3 into a job and then I become disagreeable, it's often at this point I lose the job. Fortunately, in my line of work I am usually given a graceful exit and time to find other employment. Hopefully now that I am diagnosed properly and intent on taking the meds even if it is a trial and error process, and follow advice from the therapist, I can finish the remainder of my working career (hopefully 7.5 years!!) and retire without all the daily stress. Some of the videos' guests talk about life changes such as working part time, getting disability, reducing my footprint, asking for help, but it is very difficult to do these things on a middle-class, single income with this inflated economy and on the cusp of retirement. Keep making the videos as they are very helpful.
When I lost my virginity @ 14 it was to a guy w a gf. When he tried to break things off w me, I had my first self exit attempt. Then like 3 years later a dude I was really into & dating broke up with me. Hospital again.
the bipolar brain is so tricky that way. Changes in romantic relationships can trigger episodes for sure. We hear you. Thanks for sharing. Love, Shaley xx
Oh my goodness! You girls are a breath of fresh air 😊 I’m a 54 year old female with bipolar 2. Unfortunately my anxiety (at present) is so overwhelming that I’ve had to cancel several artwork commissions, lost friends, delayed family get togethers and so on - aaaaargh!!!! Anyway, thanks so much for this much needed podcast - it’s very much appreciated ❤ SUBBED
Really interesting video. It bring home how varied it is. I wish my Hypos were so productive and enjoyable. It just doesnt work like that for me. Keep spreading the info🙌🏻
@@thisisbipolar Hi, good morning. I tend feel bombarded with masses of thoughts about a particular project. They rush so fast and with different scenarios and ways to complete a project that it is a kind of overload, a little like when a computer freezes on you. It takes me a long time to decide on what approach I am going to take, start the project with enthusiasm but find the energy invariably fades quickly before the project is finished. I have sooo many unfinished projects🙄. The other way I experience them is simply with no exciting ideas or projects, just irritability and lack of sleep (without the fun part of planning).
Life is hard enough as it is- and then women have to deal with the constant invalidation by the medical community as if its still the 1400s and we are just "hysterical females". The connection between hormones and psychosis is not discussed enough! 🙏
Looking forward to this ❤ Powerful duo🎉 Sweet friends Is your book available on Amazon Julie? Found it. Ordered three to share with family😊 Thanks Shaley for keeping on with the podcast.
Just found you guys , I like what your doing. Sick of trying to figure stuff out, watching some clinical person who only knows from school. You may have a degree but you are not me. It's refreshing to listen to people who are like me and have similar experiences. I will watch more. Hope you are still around. Peace. May you have peace as much as possible.
Thanks so much for watching. It means a lot. We hear you about the medical information being the only info available. We must hear from those with lived experience. That's why we started this channel & the podcast. We wanted to see faces and hear voices of those that actually live with bipolar disorder. We really wished there were more voices out there when we were first diagnosed. Thanks again.
Thank you for speaking out about this 🥰 I’m in a depressed mode atm I have had psychotic episodes I put it down to extremely stressful situations. 4 years ago I was put in hospital with a really bad one. I was told I had bipolar I totally denied it and walked out of the hospital.Then just 6 weeks ago another, homeless and broke at 61 now living with my beautiful son and his wife. I’m ready to accept I’ve hurt so many people. I have such a distrust in doctors meds ect this has helped me sooo much to accept and get help Thankyou 🙏🏼
You're welcome Friend. I am so sorry things are hard. Bipolar Disorder is so tricky and destructive. Sending you so much love and strength as you walk this journey.
Thank you for this. I just was diagnosed and put on the correct medication . It has been a 25 year journey to actually find out what it was. I had chronic mnia for over 2 years. It almost broke me.
Hello you both. Thank u for your work. Figthing against hypomania is a daily effort to me. I feel it changing very fast... I feel I can't focus, I change what I'm doing so quicky, no memory of what I did hours ago, I am attracted by lots of things to do at the same time. I speak to much. Chat too much. And I feel ansiety from others. Other's feelings are so easy to get like if they where mine. I feel numb and hard to sleep. I get so excited about plans. I feel dizzy. Depressions are worse. Premenstrual dissorder is even worse that for the rest of my friends
Hi Friend, Thanks so much for watching and sharing part of your story with us. That sounds really hard. You are not alone. Sending you love and hope. Shaley xx
I just found your channel! I needed this. I am 50 and was diagnosed last year. I had been misdiagnosed with severe depression for half my life. My journey has been bumpy so far.
Thank you Shaley this episode was really insightful. Thank you for sharing your story. I feel that when I commit to something, I often overdo it. I’m scared this and the fact that I have Bipolar 1 would be a challenge with kids. I’m scared that my child would become bipolar as well which is likely.
You are so welcome. Parenting is definitely one of the hardest things I have done. With support and treatment is is doable. I really do love being a Mom. I do know however, I could not do it without my support system, meds and treatment plan.
