Happiful – September 2019

For more than a decade, Katie

fought a lonely battle with her

mental health and had no

answers. But now, after finally

being diagnosed as bipolar, she

faces the future with confidence

A

t 26, it seemed I had
my life sorted. I had
a successful career,
an active social life,
and a steady, loving
relationship. However in my head, in my
own reality, my life was crumbling.
I had been trapped in a cycle of
extreme mood swings since I was a
teenager, and all I wanted was for it to
stop. In the months before, I had been
manic and out of control. I hadn’t slept
and spent money I didn’t have. I caused
two car accidents and acted on impulse,
while being extremely intense and
talkative, or angry and irrational. Now,
vicious voices in my head shouted and
screamed at me to end it all. I couldn’t
see a way forward, and I felt eerily calm
about the idea of taking my own life.

Writing | Katie Conibear

>>>

From manic highs

to depressive lows,

without a diagnosis

I felt hopeless