What does it really mean to age with bipolar disorder?

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Omar Ghosn, psychiatrist and assistant professor at UC San Diego, who specializes in geriatric psychiatry. Together, we discuss how bipolar disorder evolves with age — medically, emotionally, and socially.

We explore treatment changes, physical health concerns, autonomy, and the complex moment when asking for help becomes unavoidable.

A clear, compassionate, and deeply human conversation about aging and bipolar disorder.

Living with bipolar disorder and addiction often feels like walking a tightrope.
Mood swings, substances used to cope, relapses, shame, and isolation can slowly convince you that there’s no way out.

In this episode of Bipolar Talk, we sit down with Andy Dukeshire, a licensed addiction therapist based in Los Angeles, sober for 19 years, who has spent nearly two decades helping people navigate addiction and bipolar disorder together.

In this conversation, we explore:

• why bipolar disorder and addiction are so closely linked

• why stopping a substance is not about willpower

• the critical role of psychoeducation in recovery

• how long-term stability actually works (and why it takes time)

• how to prevent relapse after hospitalization or crisis

• repairing relationships — including forgiving yourself

• and most importantly: how to rebuild hope when you feel broken

👉 This episode is for you if:

• you live with bipolar disorder

• you struggle (or have struggled) with addiction

• you are a loved one or caregiver

• you work in mental health

💚 At HopeStage, we believe recovery is possible when people are given the right tools, clear information, and real human connection.

📩 Need support or want to reach out?
Leave a comment or contact us — you are not alone.

What does a psychiatrist really see, feel, and understand when working with bipolar patients every single day?
In this powerful episode of Bipolar Talk, we sit down with Dr. Annie Abraham — a consultant psychiatrist with more than 30 years of experience across India, the Middle East, England, and Australia.

From childhood memories of stigma and fear, to the evolution of psychiatric care, to her heartfelt philosophy of compassion, Annie opens up about what really matters: early help, honest communication, minimal effective medication, lifestyle, connection, and kindness.

We explore:
✨ Why labeling too early can be harmful
✨ How psychiatry has changed since the 1970s
✨ The balance between medication and lifestyle
✨ Why sleep, routine, and nature matter more than we think
✨ What she wishes every newly diagnosed person knew
✨ The real emotional weight carried by mental-health workers
✨ How to hold onto hope, even when everything feels dark

This episode is raw, human, and overflowing with wisdom.
If you're bipolar, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about mental health — you’ll walk away with clarity, relief, and a renewed sense of hope.

🔗 Want to learn more about bipolarity and access our resources?
Visit Hopestage.com — free tools, a supportive community, and programs designed to empower your journey.

Is it possible to leave a high-pressure career, find deep stability, and turn a Bipolar diagnosis into a source of humility and growth? 🌱

In this episode of Bipolar Talk, Clément sits down with Lily Strachan, a former top-tier corporate lawyer turned university chaplain. Lily shares her raw and inspiring journey of navigating a psychotic episode while working on massive corporate deals 💼, facing the stigma of the legal world, and ultimately pivoting her life toward faith and community connection.

We dive deep into the intersection of spirituality and mental health 🧠, discussing how faith can provide "soul rest" when medication alone isn’t enough. Plus, Lily shares actionable strategies for setting strict boundaries at work—like her non-negotiable "10 PM to 8 AM" rule 🚫—to protect her sleep and sanity 😴.

If you are looking for hope, practical workplace advice, or a new perspective on the role of faith in recovery, this episode is for you. ✨

What really happens if you have a bipolar relapse and need urgent help? Navigating the public mental health system, especially during a crisis, can be confusing. 🧭

In this episode, Dr. Lieux-Chi Nguyen, a public sector psychiatrist, pulls back the curtain on inpatient care. We tackle the tough questions: What's the first number you should call?

What is the critical difference between a voluntary and an

involuntary admission? We also explore how you can prepare in

advance so your wishes are known, even if you lose the capacity to make decisions. 📝 Dr. Nguyen breaks down who is on your care team—from case managers to psychiatrists—and what each person actually does to support you. 🤝

This is a must-listen guide to understanding the public sector, building your support system, and knowing your rights before you need to use them. 🎧✨

🧠 He’s a psychiatrist who also has bipolar disorder. Now, he’s on a mission to redefine it.

In this powerful episode, host Clément Baissat sits down with Dr. James Le Bas, a psychiatrist who shares his unique "double skill"—the medical expertise of a doctor combined with the lived experience of a person with the condition. After stopping his psychiatric work to focus on this new project , James is researching a new model of bipolarity, detailed in his book, Beyond Bipolar.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to move beyond shame and find deeper meaning in their diagnosis.

You will discover:

- 🧬 The "FASAD" Personality: James introduces his new model for the personality traits many people with bipolar disorder share: Fear, Anxiety, Self-esteem variations, Striving, Addiction, and Depression.

• - 🌍 An Evolutionary Perspective: Why does this condition exist? James explores his fascinating theory that bipolarity has evolutionary roots, linking episodes to our ancestors' relationship with their social group and the quest for prestige.

• - 🔗 The Addiction Connection: James explains why addiction is a core element for so many (affecting up to 70% of people ) and his belief that the bipolar condition is "built on addictive pathways".

  - ❤️‍🩹 From Shame to Healing: The two discuss the difficult, decades-long journey of diagnosis , the challenge of acceptance , and navigating the deep-seated shame that often comes with the condition.

• - 👨‍⚕️ The Doctor-Patient Dilemma: James shares the unique difficulty of being a psychiatrist with bipolar disorder , the fear of stigma from colleagues, and why he didn't disclose his condition for decades

Addiction Isn't a Sickness. It's a Solution.

Why are people with bipolar disorder 4-5 times more likely to struggle with addiction? 🤔

In this episode of "Bipolar Talk", we talk with psychologist Nick Marcon, who shares a powerful perspective from 20+ years working with addiction and complex trauma. His core message: addiction is an "external manifestation of internal pain". It's a solution to a problem, which is why it's so hard to give up.

Tune in to learn:

• The #1 thing that matters when finding a psychologist (it's not their title) .

• Why you don't "give up" an addiction—you substitute it with something more beneficial.

• How healing the internal trauma first is the key to reducing the need for the substance.

• The "Eat an Elephant" method for taking on overwhelming goals (like recovery) one small bite at a time 🐘

This episode offers a more compassionate way to understand your own mind and the real root of addiction. ❤️

• #Bipolar #Addiction #Trauma #MentalHealth #Recovery #BipolarDisorder #AddictionRecovery #Psychology #HealingTrauma #BiPolarityTalk

We welcome Brett Stevens, bipolar, writer, advocate, and author of Crossover: A Look Inside a Manic Mind in the podcast "Bipolar Talks"🎤. He is here to share his deeply personal story, from a life-threatening manic episode to his Bipolar I diagnosis and what it truly means to own your condition.

Together, we explore the multiple facets of living with Bipolar I. Brett offers a raw and honest account of his manic episodes, describing the intense and rapid escalation from normal functioning to a state of complete delusion, believing he was a god and engaging in extremely risky behaviors. This episode is a powerful testimony for anyone wishing to understand the realities of mania, the challenges of acceptance, and the path to building a stable and happy life 💡.

Brett shares valuable insights into his recovery journey, emphasizing the critical role of medication, the difficult but necessary lifestyle changes like cutting out alcohol and caffeine, and the importance of a strong support system. This discussion is a source of inspiration, offering a candid look at the dedication required to manage the condition and highlighting the importance of personal responsibility in the recovery process ❤️‍🩹.

I invite you to listen to this profound exchange to discover how lived experience can transform our understanding of bipolar disorder and contribute to a future where every patient can become an active participant in their own well-being 🌐.