Today’s episode is a bit of a lateral step from psychedelics specifically as we are going to talk about bipolar with Sara Schley, the author of the highly-acclaimed memoir BrainStorm: From Broken to Blessed on the Bipolar Spectrum.  We talk about bipolar as a spectrum and the different variations of bipolar disorder; why it is that so many people with bipolar are misdiagnosed and the issues this presents to those individuals and their families; major triggers for bipolar episodes and why medication isn’t enough to keep people stable; the self-care system Schley has developed for living with a bipolar brain; and how to support your friends/family that are in a bipolar crisis. Enjoy. ... For links to Schley's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind178 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW**   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Tip Me on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telgram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially my $23+ patrons, Andreas D, Ian C, Yvette FC, Alex F, Eliz C, Nick M, Joe A, Nanci BF, & Heartwood Mushrooms ——  and to Laurie A for their generous one-time donation.   Episode Breakdown (0:00) Opening (1:52) Guest bio and episode summary (3:40) Patreon thanks | Support the show (5:45) Interview Begins (8:37) The story of Sara discovering that she has bipolar (12:34) The bipolar spectrum and the different variations of bipolar disorder (16:55) Traditional SSRIs do NOT work for bipolar (18:21) The epidemic of misdiagnosis of bipolar (21:52) How undiagnosed bipolar (and mental illness in general) can destroy your relationships and your life (27:17) Why there are so many mentally ill people in our society (30:25) The genetics, epigenetics, and neurology of bipolar (35:34) Does life context “activate” bipolar or is it inevitable regardless of context? (43:49) PECS self-care system (Physical, emotional, creative, spiritual) (49:56) Pharmaceutical vs non-pharmaceutical treatment for bipolar (1:00:39) Having a practical PECS moment (1:02:19) Keeping bipolar stable and major triggers (1:08:39) Why isn’t medication enough to keep stable? (1:14:16) James’ morning practice (1:16:07) How bipolar made Sara a better person (1:20:41) What Sara wants you to remember from this podcast (1:21:31) The emergency ally toolkit (how to support your friends/family that are in a bipolar crisis) (1:23:04) Follow up links for other content, social media, and Sara’s book Brainstorm (1:24:33) Closing, socials, and gratitude