April Unscripted: World Bipolar Day

April Unscripted – Issue #4 (March 2026)

Hello wonders,

Happy World Bipolar Day!

I’m aware I might receive some backlash for using the word “happy”, but it’s become a bit of a tradition with my friends and family where they do wish me a Happy World Bipolar Day… Kinda like a bipolar New Year, if you will.

My loved ones, in their sweet and supportive way, have leaned into celebrating, not the condition, but how far I’ve come and the work I’ve put in to help myself as much as possible.

Let’s not mistake this though, these are also the people that know my triggers, know when my mood shifts (sometimes even before I do). They leave protein bars at my door when they know I won’t be feeding myself, and that I don’t want to see anyone. These are the people who see me crumble and want to give up.

I personally like to take stock every time 30 March comes around. I too think about how far I’ve come and count my lucky stars I made it this far – knowing full well that might have not been the case if it wasn’t for the aforementioned support from friends and family. 

The 'what ifs'

I must admit, I do spend a little time wondering where I would be career wise if I wasn’t bipolar – would I be further ahead or has it actually propelled me to where I am today? Would I be married by now if I wasn’t bipolar? Would my hair be thicker if I didn’t have to take all this medication? I know it’s not healthy to allow my mind to go there, but I do allow it, just not for long. I will always wonder what life would have looked like if I was diagnosed earlier – that’s not an annual thought, it’s at least weekly, or more when I’m having an episode. I fear that no amount of therapy will eradicate that “what if”. My stubbornness wins that one.

I’m now in my eighth year of diagnosis, and what a wild ride it’s been. Never a full moment for the press conference in my head! I’m so grateful for this community and continue to find solace in reading other’s stories and experiences.

Something I cannot deny is that I do feel like living with bipolar is getting harder the older I get. Why? No idea, you tell me… please! Maybe it’s because I become increasingly self-aware, noticing the minute changes. The rapid cycles of it all feels like it’s ramped up over the years. Perhaps I’m noticing it because I no longer self-medicate with whatever unhealthy vice I can get my hands on.

Apologies, I don’t mean to keep bouncing from a positive to a negative… that’s actually very bipolar of me…

Back to the good part

Let’s get back to the ‘happy’ part of Happy World Bipolar Day… look, I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I do celebrate the pros that have come from being bipolar and I can’t ignore the immense creativity that floods out of me, nor the hyperfixation and productivity I’ve learnt to harness. Every aspect of my life can thrive in a way I know, deep down, wouldn’t be possible without the bipolar. I’m not saying this to convince myself there’s good in the hand I’ve been dealt – my friends and family have witnessed first-hand and confirmed it on my behalf. When I’m good and well, I’m thriving beyond measure, and when I’m bad, I can see no way out, no way back to myself. But hey, that’s the definition of bipolar.

I’m aware that I may be speaking from a place of (bipolar) privilege, and I know not everyone will relate to what I’m saying. I never want to offend - my intention is simply to offer some hope. Because in everyone I’ve met living with bipolar, there’s an innate kind of specialness. I too have witnessed this the same way my people have seen it in me. Bipolar is often called a superpower, though that may be teetering on a cliché now, I believe it lets us operate on a unique wavelength compared to those without it.

And, that is why I’m wishing you a Happy World Bipolar Day!

Got a spare two minutes?

Oh! One last thing… Our Maybe it’s Bipolar? campaign video has made the finals of the Smiley Charity Awards – eeee!! Thank you all so much for voting to get us this far, and I hate to say; yes, we do need you to vote for us once again, please. 

Over 40,000 people have taken the bipolar test. If we can make this final push and win the award, it won’t just be a shiny accolade for the team, it’ll create even more awareness and hopefully encourage even more people to take the test and find the answers they deserve.

Lots of love, you genius sparks,
April x

PS. I saw a meme the other day that said, 'is it a manic episode or are we just so back' and I can’t stop thinking about it. It makes me smirk every time I do.