(I have written this piece to help you understand Bipolar Disorder, (and my writing) a mental illness little understood by the general community. 1 in 50 Australians suffer from this illness. I am one of those 50.)

 

I'm bipolar. Some say keep it private. Go public ?

What ever are you thinking of !

 

My response? How can you be expected to understand

this mental illness if it's not raised and openly discussed ? You can't.

 

For too long people have not wanted to talk about it.

Sweep it under the carpet. Sorted.

We need acceptance, understanding and support.

Not be swept under the carpet.

 

What makes me different to you ?

Only one thing. My moods are more extreme than yours.

 

Imbalance of chemicals in the brain they say. Born with it. No cure.

Medications sort of keep me on track without stifling my creativity.

 

(they seem to think a link

exists between bipolar disorder and creativity

Stephen Fry, Robin Williams, Spike Milligan,

Vincent Van Gough – all bipolars)

 

At times my emotions rise suddenly.

Without warning. Intense.

Like when I'm writing. Or maybe reading your work.

 

I'm a strange mixture, unable at times to work myself out.

I have two sides. One flippant and playful. The other deadly serious.

They seem to play games with each other.

Both come out in my writing.

I hope my two sides will be at home at WOL

 

Bipolars need understanding and support.

We're human like you – our moods are just more extreme..

 

Please keep this in mind when reading my work.

And in communications between us.

 

I am here to learn, contribute. And have fun

 

Don

 

Don Matthews June 2018

 

PostScript

For some strange reason I don't suffer depression, only heightened moods (mania).

It can be a curse and a blessing. I wouldn't want it any other way.

 

 

“There is a dead space between most people and those afflicted with Mental Illness and it's called Understanding” (Stanley Victor Paskavich, bipolar)