Bikeroo
Bikeroo
Name?
Bikeroo
Age?
22
Diagnosis?
Bipolar Disorder Type II
Age at diagnosis?
19
Treatment?
Medication
How did you feel after you were diagnosed? How did you deal with it?
At first I thought that everything made sense once I found out my diagnosis, but almost immediately a million questions flooded my head and it only left me more confused.
Did you tell your family and friends? How did they react?
I told my family and most of my friends and at first some of them were in denial and doubted the diagnosis, some accepted it but became more distant and weary of me and some just accepted it for what it was.
Have you been treated differently after telling people?
A few people began treating me differently, keeping their distance or being extra careful as if they were handling something very fragile and were scared of breaking it.
How has your life changed since being diagnosed?
At first things felt worse, I felt as though none of my friends or family could understand what was going on with me and that I was finding it harder and harder to find people to turn too because of this. It affected every aspect of my work, school and social life in a very negative way. Eventually, I just lost the motivation to do anything or be around people and things only got worse from there.
Occupation?
Research assistant
Hobbies?
Cycling, photography.
Favourite music?
Anything that tickles my fancy, whether it be Philosopher Kings or Kings of Leon.
Favourite tv shows or movies?
Magnificent Seven, Flashpoint, Macgyver.
Favourite cartoon character?
Inspector Gadget
Do you believe there is a stigma associated with mental illness? If so, what do you think can be done to alleviate this stigma?
There is a definite stigma regarding mental illness, from my own experience it seems to stem for ignorance or being unaware of just how these illnesses affect an individual and how the individual can still be a part of society. I think that awareness is key to getting rid of the stigma.
Do you have any advice for family and friends who have just found out a loved one has a mental illness?
Patience is key. It can be very daunting for anyone to try and seek help from their friends and family or to feel part of them again, but always make sure you are they for them and they know that.
What would you tell someone who has just been diagnosed or is living with a mental illness?
It’s true that neither your friends nor family know exactly what you are going through, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help you. They may not know just how heavy the burden you carry can be but give them a chance to help carry it for you.
What are some things you do to relax or get your mind off of things? (Any specific shows, movies, music, hobbies?)
Cycling has played a very big part in helping me cope, it can be relaxing in a stimulating way and can be enjoyed in so many different ways. Whether it’s out hitting the trails, biking in the city or exploring the country side it’s almost impossible to ride without a smile.