Would I give back my Bipolar Disorder? Err…nope.

I am often asked a seemingly straightforward question: If I had the chance, would I give back my bipolar disorder? The simple answer is nope.

But in reality, there is no simple answer to such a complex question.

The Journey to Acceptance

Up until my early thirties, mental health conditions happened to other people. I was highly privileged, successful in my corporate career, and seemingly invincible. Then, out of the blue, the wiring came loose. My productivity plummeted, and simple tasks became insurmountable.

It took years, a complete breakdown, and being sectioned in a psychiatric ward before I finally accepted my diagnosis of bipolar disorder. It was a bitter pill to swallow—a condition with no cure, requiring medication for life.

However, as I navigated my recovery, I began to understand the dual nature of my condition. While the lows were devastating, the manic episodes fueled an innate ability to “connect the dots” and innovate at a level far beyond my everyday capacity.

Mental Health as a Superpower

Today, I view my bipolar disorder not as a hindrance, but as my superpower. With the right medication (lithium, in my case) and strict coping mechanisms—like my daily open-water wild swimming—I have found stability.

This stability has allowed me to channel my unique perspective into founding Bridge of Hope. Many of the candidates we support have experienced significant life trauma, which often correlates with mental health challenges. But research confirms that these experiences generate greater perseverance, resilience, and grit.

Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace

As employers seek to diversify their talent pools, they must look beyond gender and race to include socio-economic diversity and neurodiversity. Why ignore candidates with the “ability to think differently”?

• Autistic Talent: Highly detail-oriented and focused, yet shockingly underemployed.

• Dyslexic Talent: Proven to be highly creative and dynamic problem solvers.

• Bipolar Talent: Often highly innovative and driven.

I deeply resent the word “disorder.” For me, I have bipolar reorder.

So, would I get rid of my bipolar disorder? No. I am stable, we are building something that changes lives at scale, and I would hate to lose my ability to think differently and help people from a position of genuine empathy.