Navigating Friendships and Support: Building a Balanced Bipolar Support System

Today we discuss how to navigate friendships, avoid echo chambers, and integrate professional advice into your bipolar support system. Learn why having a range of perspectives is essential for your mental health journey and how to effectively manage relationships without falling into codependency.

We explore the intricate balance of maintaining friendships while managing bipolar disorder. Gabe, who lives with bipolar, shares his personal challenges with relying solely on friends with bipolar disorder for support and highlights the need for a diverse support team. This episode is a must listen for anyone looking to understand the role of friends in a bipolar support network and how to foster healthy, supportive connections.

“You know, there are encounters I enter where being a woman is a very big part of that encounter, and I can connect with someone on that. There are times when things shift, and I'm more likely to connect with someone who is of the same race or ethnicity. It just depends on the situation. People with bipolar disorder are no different. They're no different when it comes to that.” ~Dr. Nicole Washington

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

Our Host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.

To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and TikTok at @askabipolar.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.

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