Show Notes
We welcome Dr. Lillian Nejad 👩⚕️, a clinical psychologist, author, and the founder of Contain Your Brain in "Bipolar Talk" 🎤. She joins us to share her innovative resources designed to help people reduce worry, stress, and insomnia.
Together, we delve into the complex and essential world of managing mental health, particularly for those of us living with bipolarity, for whom stress and sleep are critical for stability. Dr. Nejup explains her powerful tools and methods to help patients better understand their anxiety, manage their symptoms, and regain control of their well-being journey 💪. She offers valuable insights into the specific challenges of overcoming the worry that can keep you awake at night and drain your energy. This episode emphasizes the importance of proactive strategies in the therapeutic relationship 🙌.
This episode is a true source of inspiration for anyone looking to better understand how to manage the psychological challenges of bipolarity and discover individual-centered approaches 📘. Dr. Nejad provides an enlightened perspective on current practices and future innovations, while highlighting the importance of personal engagement in the recovery process 🚀. I invite you to listen to this profound exchange to discover how you can turn bipolarity into an opportunity and how innovative tools can transform lives, contributing to a future where every patient becomes an actor in their own recovery 🌐.
More from Bipolar Talk
Why does the same medication affect people differently? In this episode of Bipolar Talk, Clement Baissat sits down with Dr. Leticia Shea, PharmD, a medication expert specializing in pharmacogenomics and precision medicine. They discuss the role pharmacists can play in mental health care, from helping patients understand their prescriptions and side effects to identifying medication interactions and supporting better treatment decisions. The conversation then moves into pharmacogenomics — the study of how our genes can influence the way we metabolize medications. Leticia explains how differences in genes such as CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 can affect how the body processes certain drugs, and how this knowledge could contribute to more personalized treatment. Clement and Leticia also talk openly about bipolar disorder, depression, medication adherence, side effects, the challenges of stopping treatment, and why mental health care often needs to be personalized to the individual. A conversation about medication, genetics, mental health, and the future of precision medicine. 🎙️ Bipolar Talk with Clement Baissat & Leticia Shea Topics discussed: • The role of pharmacists in mental health • Medication management • Side effects and drug interactions • Bipolar disorder and depression • Pharmacogenomics • CYP2D6 & CYP2C19 • Precision medicine • Personalized treatment • Communicating with your psychiatrist, GP, and pharmacist This episode is for educational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice. Speak with your healthcare professional before making changes to your medication.
What does long-term stability with bipolar disorder actually look like?
What does long-term stability with bipolar disorder actually look like? Michael Schneider has lived with bipolar disorder for decades—and has gone 26 years without another manic episode. But getting there wasn't simple. In this episode of Bipolar Talk, Michael shares the turning point that changed his relationship with bipolar disorder: learning to take ownership of his illness and becoming intentional about the habits that helped protect his stability. We talk about sleep, medication, therapy, discipline, substances, early warning signs, asking for help, and the difficult reality of accepting that bipolar disorder doesn't simply disappear. Michael also opens up about the years when he repeatedly cycled through hospitalization and recovery, why he once saw mania as exciting, and what finally made him realize that the pattern had to change. We also explore: • Why sleep can become an important warning sign • How Michael built his personal “toolbox” for stability • Why consistency matters • The risks he associates with alcohol and drugs • Why reaching out for help takes courage • How stigma affects people living with bipolar disorder • What Michael would tell his younger self • What he wants newly diagnosed people to understand • Whether stability is a skill or a personality trait A candid conversation about bipolar disorder, responsibility, acceptance, hope, and building a sustainable life. 🎙️ Michael Schneider 🎤 Clement Baissat 🎧 Bipolar Talk
Would you know what to ask if you were considering joining a clinical trial?
Suzanne Dang experienced her first psychotic episode at 14 and has since been hospitalized around ten times. For years, she believed that hospitalization might be the only way for her to get better. Today, Suzanne is a lived-experience mental health worker, peer worker, speaker, advocate and artist. She now uses her experience of bipolar type 1 and schizoaffective disorder to help others believe that recovery is possible. In this deeply personal conversation, Suzanne and I discuss psychosis, hearing voices, hospitalization, medication and the gradual process of rebuilding a meaningful life. Suzanne also explains how work gave her hope and purpose—but why she eventually reduced her hours to protect her stability. Together, we explore boundaries, burnout, self-stigma, supportive workplaces and the importance of finding an individual path to recovery. As Suzanne puts it: “One bad day does not mean that you’re going to have a bad rest of your life.” Discover Suzanne’s work: https://www.suzanne-dang.com/ Watch her videos: https://www.youtube.com/@suzannedang Content warning: this episode discusses suicide, psychosis, hospitalization and sexual violence. It shares personal experiences and does not replace professional medical advice.