I was diagnosed nearly 20 years ago. Through years as a patient, a counselor, and podcast host I've seen several key themes emerge with people newly diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. This episode outlines the 10 keys to understanding Bipolar that I wish I had when I was first diagnosed. Clearly, I deliver these topics with a casual hyperbole, and this is not a medical show. However, the points I make are heartfelt, and things I've experienced firsthand. I hope you or your friends and family might benefit from knowing some of these things upfront. Newbie's Guide To Bipolar Disorder; 10 Keys to Understanding Your Impairment 1:00 - [#1] Diagnosis 5:45 - [#2] Abbreviations 7:15 - [#3] Medication 8:50 - [#4] Symptoms 11:00 - [#5] Sleep 13:00 - [#6] Diet & Exercise 15:30 - [#7] Alternative Treatments 18:20 - [#8] Coming Out 22:00 - [#9] Work, Job, Productivity 25:10 - [#10] Building Support Networks 31:30 - Recap

I've been on hiatus for a few months, experiencing other parts of America and reconsidering what this podcast means to me. This bonus episode is mostly me rambling and catching you up on my life. I have to get this out of my system in order to produce the cleaner episode that follows ...  Fast-forward to hear the Newbie's Guide To Bipolar Disorder; 10 Keys to Understanding Your Impairment 3:00 - What its like in Louisiana compared to California 5:00 - Studio update; it's too loud around here! 6:30 - Doctors and med updates 9:00 - Twitter is like a concert parking lot; where I put flyers on windshields 11:30 - I'm not an advocate; I'm a hobbyist 13:00 - What "podcast" means to me 15:00 - What I focus on grows 16:00 - Stereotypes of the South 18:00 - Next episode; Newbie's Guide To Bipolar Disorder; 10 Keys to Understanding Your Impairment

Johnny rants on the ethics of unlicensed, untrained entertainers offering advice to specific viewers and listeners, 'SWATting,' med shaming vs. clean shaming, protecting your brand, and the power of emotions in Captain Marvel.

Johnny responds to a concerned listener and talks about the concept of “Med Shaming,” and his pithy hashtag #PharmFree ... He also shares his thoughts on accepting situations so that we can find humor in most anything. Lastly, Johnny explains why the brief intermission from the “Newbies Guide to Bipolar” and his failed new-job adventure. Johnny's Twitter handle is @JohnEmotions Send emails to BipolarStyle@gmail.com or join us via Slack at BipolarParty.com ... World Bipolar Day is March 30, 2019. Bipolar Style will podcast LIVE that day - mark your calendar!

Recorded December 31, 2018; John Emotions reflects on some of his major challenges and accomplishments of 2018 and previews 2019 with a surprise announcement about the future of Bipolar Style. We also talk about being a good guest and what to do if things get tough. #allinyourhead

John Emotions talks about killing off his ego, wrecking his own party and how things are evolving for him and the show. Be a guest on the show! http://bit.ly/BipolarGuests Buy a tshirt for Christmas http://bit.ly/Bipolar_Shirts

Bryan shares about his recent divorce and separation from his kids. Bipolar Party is a peer-to-peer support group located at BipolarParty.com

John tries to demonstrate how a mental health peer support group works with the help of his friends at Bipolar Party. Becky ("That B-Word Show"), Bryan ("Bipolar Belief") and John share issues they've had this past week in trying to help their aging parents in various situations. Listeners are encouraged to join our conversation at BipolarParty.com

John recounts the highs and lows of starting a new mental health podcast one year into the ordeal ... tries to mention the new cat three times. Reminds everyone there is no right/wrong way and everything will be different in 200 years anyway. Meanwhile - Season 3 is all about YOU! Join us at BipolarParty.com to get ready!

Since the DSM (mental health diagnoses manual) was first published in 1968 until 1989 it listed homosexuality as a mental disorder. First, it was Sexual Orientation Disorder. Then it became Sexual Orientation Disturbance. Now, it's fully embraced in parades around the world each June. Why can't the Bipolar community engage the same tactics to have their "disorder" embraced in such a joyous way? What strategies and tactics can the Bipolar community borrow from the gay community to reduce our own stigma? Listen as John talks to a gentleman who is both gay and depressed.

In this special episode, I talk about the various way people manage their bipolar disorder aside from pills and therapy. Joining the discussion are Becky, from That B-Word podcast and Jim, from BipolarPod. Join the discussion at BipolarParty.com

Bipolar Style Episodes 23 and 24 are up ... on the NEW RSS feed! Not this one. I changed podcasting hosts to accommodate the new shows we're working on. Instead of deleting the shows in this feed you're subscribed to, I left them up for awhile. For all the new episodes, please subscribe to the other Bipolar Style in iTunes.

Borderline is a learned personality disorder. Many people with Bipolar disorder also suffer from the somewhat misnamed "Borderline Personality Disorder" aka BPD. We like to think of it as a trauma-reaction disorder. In this episode, we share some trauma that may have caused our own BPD ... not to be confused with Bipolar disorder - a physiological brain abnormality. CAUTION ** May trigger people with a history of molestation.

Borderline is a learned personality disorder. Many people with Bipolar disorder also suffer from the somewhat misnamed "Borderline Personality Disorder" aka BPD. We like to think of it as a trauma-reaction disorder. In this episode, we share some trauma that may have caused our own BPD ... not to be confused with Bipolar disorder - a physiological brain abnormality. CAUTION ** May trigger people with a history of molestation.

John and Becky (from That B Word Podcast) talk about the stigma against Bipolar Disorder in the workplace and share their personal experiences about whether or not to "come out" as Bipolar at work.

John and Becky (from That B Word Podcast) talk about the stigma against Bipolar Disorder in the workplace, and share their personal experiences about whether or not to "come out" as Bipolar at work.

John explains the transition to producing a second podcast, not specifically about Bipolar disorder. After studying more about "labeling theory" John wants to expand his focus on more than just a stigmatized neurological disease. The first draft of this new, short-form, solo podcast was called Art of Emotions, but that has already evolved into an even newer podcast called "Manic Episodes." Depending on when you find this, John may have moved on to bigger things, or faded away altogether.

John Emotions talks with Beka and Joe Lombardo from the Voices for Change 2.0 podcast on their relationship as a mental health 'power couple,' Beka's book 'It's Not Your Journey,' and the origins of their #KeepTalkingMH hashtag. Trigger warning; self-harm

Becky from That B-Word podcast stops by to help John Emotions test some new podcasting software and give some shout-outs to their current favorite social media followers. They also discuss entertainers with Bipolar-related shows and movies. During John's overdubbed Intro segment you'll hear sirens. He explains the sirens after the closing credits. This episode also announces the launch of John's second podcast The Art of Emotions on Apple Podcasts.

The grooves in your record dictate the songs you play your entire life. John Emotions shares his experience with abandonment and isolation resulting from his Bipolar Disorder diagnosis. Learn how to connect with other Bipolar people via BipolarParty.com

John Emotions offers the simplest, albeit most difficult solution to the gun problem on Earth. In this episode, we look at gun ownership numbers in various countries; who is really doing the killing, and who benefits. John also learns that he apparently qualifies for handgun ownership in California - a state with some of the toughest gun laws in America.

John Emotions talks about finding inspiration and distinguishing bad emotions from good emotions after watching Tony Robbins on Netflix. A big welcome to everyone newly diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, and a renewed focus on Bipolar Disorder around the world - not just America. Also, John talks about Harriet A. Washington's book, "Infectious Madness" and how the germs that cause brain infections and mental illnesses are often common, contagious diseases.

John Emotions talks about the death of Delores O'Riordan, asks if Bipolar Disorder only affects women, and welcomes everyone to the Bipolar Party ... dot com

John Emotions answers the burning question, "Why don't you have health insurance?" and talks about creating your own Fox Force Five; your selection of the five people who surround and support you. John then discusses ways people evolve from undiagnosed bipolar to certified disabled and the heart-wrenching decisions made along the way.

Captured live from John Emotions' YouTube live stream, John reflects on the past year and gives some previews of the year to come. Highlights include snarky suggestions to families of the mentally ill who suck at taking responsibility for their sick and disabled loved ones. Follow/chat with John on Twitter @JohnEmotions

John Emotions discusses a brief Twitter encounter with the anti-psychiatry crowd and the problems with excluding legitimate voices from the mental health conversation by limiting the way people talk, and the words they use. Recorded live from the Psych.Media Group page on Facebook, November 2017. @BipolarStyle @JohnEmotions

John Emotions rants about the confusion surrounding Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder, particularly mislabeling the initials #BD and #BPD. John explains that "bipolar" is one word, like bicycle or universe. John then metaphorically explains that borderline disorder is a problem with your emotion selector, while bipolar disorder is a problem with your emotion regulator. Catch the behind-the-scenes video of this podcast at psych.media

John Emotions reveals a few of the things that help keep him balanced through the holidays; routines, volunteering, and healthy distractions. Join us on Twitter @BipolarStyle #bipolarstyle for mental health chats throughout the season.

John Emotions welcomes Becky, from "That B-Word" podcast as they discuss their motivations for starting their respective shows, and how things are progressing.  We touch on stigma, why our particular identities are somewhat anonymous, and the challenges of working full-time AND producing something as challenging as a podcast.  We also mention the various initials involved with our condition ... Check out Becky's podcast on iTunes at http://bit.ly/ThatBWord Engage Becky on Twitter @ThatBWord1

John and Dyane discuss her new book, "Birth of a New Brain," about Postpartum Bipolar Disorder. They discuss what the condition is, how Dyane experienced it, and how the book came to be. They also talk a little about their favorite Netflix shows including Black Mirror, Lady Dynamite, and Theo Vonn. Also, we include more talk of a #bipolarcabal on Twitter and lots of bipolar digressions. Keywords; Post-partum depression Get the book here: http://bit.ly/dyaneharwood Follow Dyane on Twitter @dyaneharwood

John Emotions and Jason Bee talk about Jason's new feature film "Donovan," and what it's like to be a productive bipolar person. Jason also shares the story of his learning about his bipolar and how it affected his life. Follow Jason on Twitter @thejasonbee and check out the film at DonovanTheMovie.com

John and Fiona talk about building a better podcast for bipolar people, including the factors involved in selecting a platform for the social media activities. John wonders how to reach more women and people of color struggling with mental health issues and shares his story about missing the DBSA picnic by 50 feet due to social anxiety.

The planned topic got bumped due to another mass shooting in America. Tonight, John talks about bipolar and how people perceive those with mental illnesses as dangerous. But, are ALL mental disorders dangerous to others? Are they "dis" orders at all?

John Emotions provides updates on upcoming guests, podcast intros and how things are going on this fine autumn evening. If you're feeling down, please use the support resources on our site.

Lots of American footballers took a knee this weekend to protest the racist police state. The racist president made it worse, as usual. John Emotions riffs on the importance of protest, even to disabled people.  Has anyone ever snitched on your bipolar to others? Have you ever been disloyal to a loved one and shared their private medical condition? John talks about the importance of being a good ally to bipolar people. You don't kick sick loved ones while they're down. What's the matter with people?

John talks about ways neurotypical people can help bipolar people by being consistent, and understanding that all parts of a bipolar's plans may be connected. John also warns people in America suffering from bipolar or depression to speak out against the new Trumpcare bill (Graham-Cassidy), which could increase insurance premiums an additional $165 per week. Senate Switchboard in Washington D.C. (202) 224-3121 House Reps: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find/ Twitter Hashtag: #GrahamCassidy

John Emotions rants about how his family abandoned him, even after they all learned of his bipolar. Also, addresses how society harnesses bipolar people when they're manic, but discards them when they get depressed. Day ends on an up note when Maria Bamford replies to his tweet.

John talks about how the podcast came to be, and thanks the early supporters on social media at bipolarstyle.com/leaderboard BipolarJungle.com was also mentioned as the supportive networking place for bipolar people.  The Emo Jo icon design (the yin-yang smiley face) is discussed, as well as the intro music performed by the Gorillaz.

I took some music from my long time bro, Ray, and laid some audio clips from old-timey media to give an overwhelming sense of fun-loving chaos. This is not an actual podcast - just the intro music.