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Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Hi there and welcome to our Topic Tuesday Live Event 👋

On the 30th of March every year, World Bipolar Day is celebrated by thousands of people from across the globe. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness and understanding of Bipolar Disorder within our communities and reduce stigma. There are so many ways you can use your voice, and share your story this World Bipolar Day, starting right here in our forums community.

Next week we welcome Bipolar Australia as our special guest who will be starting their week long celebrations leading up to World Bipolar Day here in the SANE Forums.

Join us Tuesday the 23rd of March from 7:00-8:30pm AEDT this live Q&A style chat

What topics will we cover?

We will be talking many different topics from understanding bipolar disorders, to the role of connection and self-management, some of the recent research, and what we will be doing to raise awareness and use our voice this World Bipolar Day.

Both our Lived Experience, and Friends, Family and Carers Forum members and visitors are welcome to join us for this live event! We will have questions for our guest and questions for our community, so feel free to jump in and share your story with us too.

Here's a little bit more about Bipolar Australia

"Bipolar Australia is a national non- profit organisation put together by people with bipolar disorders, caregivers and professionals. We are in the benefit of person-to-person approach, in bringing awareness to bipolar, in psych education and in encouraging Peer Bipolar and Inclusive Support Groups, for people living with bipolar, carers, families and friends.

Our Vision is for all people affected by bipolar disorders to live in a culturally diverse Australian society free from social stigma. Our Mission is to educate Australians about bipolar disorders, fostering understanding and sensitivity towards those affected, to be accepted in an all-inclusive society.

Nowadays bipolar can be diagnosed, treated, and managed. Recovery is possible."

Please join us here on Tuesday the 23rd of March 2021 from 7:00pm-8:30pm AEDT to follow this conversation.

Want to receive a reminder on the night? Hit the 'Support' button below.

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I'm new here - what is this?

The event runs from 7:00pm-8:30pm AEDT and is a live, facilitated Q&A style discussion with a special guest who is a subject matter expert. Each fortnight we focus on a different topic with the session facilitated by a Community Manager or Moderator, and joined by a Peer Support Worker.

The first post of the thread (this one) will give you an idea of what the topic is and what will be covered.

How do I get involved?

Our text-based event takes place right here! As it is text-based, no software is needed. During the session, to keep up with the latest posts hit the 'refresh' button on your browser for the newest comments (posts don't automatically load). The refresh button looks like this: Keep an eye out for page numbers at the top & bottom of the page, and jump to the highest page number for the most recent post. We recommend using a desktop computer or laptop for the event for overall ease of use .

Throughout the session, the facilitator will post questions for the guest to answer, and you can provide your answer too. To contribute to the event, just hit the 'reply' button and share your thoughts. No answers are right or wrong, and everyone is welcome to get involved!

If you can't make it to the live event, but are still interested in the topic, you can always read back through this discussion at a later time.

What time does this event start in my timezone?

  • AEDT - 7:00pm
  • AEST - 6:00pm
  • ACDT - 6:30pm
  • ACST - 5:30pm
  • WST - 4:00pm

If you have any questions about how to use the Forums, check out our Forum Community Guidelines and FAQs.

Topic Tuesday discussions can cover some heavy topics. If you are feeling distress during this live discussion, there are support options available to you. You can start a new discussion on the forums and talk to other members, contact the SANE Help Centre on 1800 18 7263, or find crisis support options here.

175 replies

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In response to: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Hi & welcome @frog @Meowmy & @Strivetothrive!! 😊

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

While we are introducing ourselves, let's get started with our first question 😊 This one has two parts, one for @SusanaBA and one for the community

Question 1: For Susana: What is bipolar disorder?

Question 2: For the community: What is your experience with Bipolar Disorder and how has it impacted your life?

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Hi @Bunniekins that sounds a bit frustrating! I hope you're able to get something out of the discussion this evening. Happy to have you with us!

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

hello @SusanaBA , @Daisydreamer , @TideisTurning

my husband has had lots of diagnosis in his life and the latest is Bi Polar 11

@Former-Member, @Sophie1

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Question 1: For Susana: What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is the experience of mood swings, from low moods and depression to high moods and mania. These are called episodes, meaning that the mood changes happen at different times. In between episodes people living with bipolar disorder can be happy and healthy.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Bipolar disorder I has literally driven me insane. I hear voices and have delusions although those are mostly controlled with medication. now I am fat and miserable.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

The experience of bipolar disorder is different for each person. The person who is experiencing the episodes will sometimes have a different view from their carers and family members.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Everyone has changes in mood, but the mood changes in bipolar disorder are more extreme. The two main mood episode types in bipolar disorder are mania and depression. The pattern of episodes is different for each person. Some people can have more serious mood episodes than others.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Hear you @Bunniekins

Even when I'm well, I struggle with overwhelming emotions and am almost always aware that I'm riding a wave up or down. There's not much middle ground.

I was grateful for the diagnosis, after 30 years of feeling that my experience was different. It helped me make sense of my life.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Let's Talk About Bipolar // Tues 23rd March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

There are also psychotic episodes, which may require hospitalisation. I had my first psychotic episode in my early 20s. I lost touch with reality, had racing thoughts, grand delusions and severe paranoia. It was a very challenging time. I was misdiagnosed as having schizophrenia but once I got the right diagnosis as having bipolar, I was able to take the right medication and work towards my recovery.

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