Living with bipolar is both a blessing and a curse. There is
always the pride that comes along with having to go through life successfully
while treating an ailment. It gets difficult at times when you have to remember
to take medications to keep the body healthy.
Bipolar disorder is like living a life with a double
personality. When I take my drugs, I am normal and very calm but when I skip my
drugs another side of me comes out that is very rough and aggressive.
My symptoms started showing when I was about 20 years old;
it began with me showing actions of excessive compulsion. That same year I was
supposed to travel to Poland to further my education but I needed to seek
treatment before any travel plans could be made.
I met a Psychiatrist who started treatment on me by making
me draw myself on a piece of paper; he however did not diagnose my ailment as
bipolar disorder.
The ailment did not show any further signs until I traveled
to Poland where I had a lot of difficulty coping with the studies. I was the
only African in my class so it was very difficult adjusting to the system. I
faced a lot of racial abuse. I was admitted into a Psychiatric Hospital to
receive treatment.
My Uncle who was my guardian could not cope with me when my
bipolar episode escalated so I was taken back to Nigeria to pursue my studies.
I have to say though that I had a relative who had bipolar
disorder but he was left untreated and left his house one day and never
returned.
I gained admission into Babcock University and my bipolar
episode kept creeping up. I struggled to take my drugs every morning and night
while in school coupled with studying. I have to thank God that I graduated
with a second class upper.
I later traveled for my Masters; my Dad carried many of my
drugs. Because I was gaining control over my body, I was able to control the
drug intake so I took only my drugs at night. I however was admitted into
another Psychiatric Hospital in London when I skipped my drugs and the symptoms
crept up again.
After my Master’s Program, I came by home to Nigeria, where
I started adjusting to taking my drugs regularly, but there were days were I
skipped my drugs and the episode began again.
Right now, I have started taking care of myself more, I take
my drugs regularly, I exercise, and I eat healthy as well.
Living with the ailment is not bad at all, sometimes I do
not even think about it as long as I take my medication and I sleep well.
I have achieved so much in life that nothing negative really
weighs me down.
However, I have to thank God for his mercies because without
him I will not be alive today.
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