92. Inside My Latest Bipolar 1 Manic Episode

Why do routine days—a staff meeting, a deadline, an argument—sometimes lead to a total shutdown of your body and mind? In this episode, we tackle the hidden cause of bipolar burnout: the endless cycle of The Boom and The Bust.

Hypersexuality is one of the most complicated, potentially destructive, and least talked-about symptoms of bipolar mania. And it's time we talked about it. In this deeply personal solo episode, Louise Barnett explores the relationship between bipolar mania, sexual desire, impulsivity, infidelity, and the shame that often follows. Drawing from her newly released memoir, Tainted Love, Louise reflects on fifteen years of relationships while living with undiagnosed Bipolar I disorder—and how understanding hypersexuality changed the way she viewed her past. In this episode, Louise explores: What hypersexuality actually is—and what it isn't

Redefining Stability with Bipolar Disorder | Less Friction. More Magic. What if stability isn't a destination we reach, but a way of learning to live with ourselves? In this deeply personal solo episode, Louise reflects on the eight months of catastrophic bipolar depression that changed everything she believed about stability, identity, and self-worth. After years of defining herself through productivity and achievement, Louise found herself forced to slow down, let go of expectations, and redefine what it meant to live well with Bipolar I Disorder. She shares how that difficult chapter became the beginning of her memoir, Tainted Love, why stability doesn't mean symptom-free, and how she learned to embrace her creativity without compromising her mental health. Plus, a very special announcement: Tainted Love: A Bipolar Memoir is officially out in the world! 🎉 Because you don't have to wait until you're perfectly well to create something meaningful. And sometimes, the most important thing you can do is simply rest. Less friction. More magic. ❤️ October 6th 📚 Tainted Love: A Bipolar Memoir is available worldwide in paperback, hardcover, eBook, and audiobook. AMAZON Order your copy through the link in the show notes. A limited number of signed copies are also available at www.LouiseBarnett.com.

What happens when you stop hiding the messy parts of living with bipolar disorder and start sharing them with the world? In this episode of I'm Bipolar. Now What?, Louise sits down with Nikki Rae, creator of Nikki Rae Unplugged, for a raw and deeply personal conversation about bipolar disorder, motherhood, mental health advocacy, and finding purpose through vulnerability. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 34 after years of struggling with depression and mania, Nikki shares how her journey from crisis to acceptance inspired her to build a platform dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness. In this episode, we talk about: • Nikki's journey from childhood depression to her Bipolar I diagnosis at 34. • The terrifying reality of mixed episodes, suicidal ideation, and knowing when to ask for help. • How Nikki Rae Unplugged evolved from a fitness page into a mental health advocacy platform. • The challenges of motherhood while living with bipolar disorder and raising children with emotional awareness. • ADHD, big emotions, and giving our children the tools we wish we'd had growing up. • The relationship between trauma, triggers, and bipolar disorder. • Using writing, storytelling, and creative expression to process trauma and find acceptance. • Why sharing our most vulnerable experiences can help others feel a little less alone. Because sometimes, the stories we're most afraid to tell are the ones someone else desperately needs to hear. ❤️ Connect with Nikki Rae: @NikkiRaeUnplugged on all platforms

The FOUR Types of Bipolar Disorder: What's Actually the Difference? Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia… what do these diagnoses actually mean? And is Bipolar II really a milder form of Bipolar I? (Spoiler alert: NO!) In this episode of I'm Bipolar. Now What?, Louise breaks down the four diagnostic categories of bipolar disorder, explains the specific criteria for each, and shares her personal experience living with Bipolar I. In this episode, we cover: The four types of bipolar disorder and what distinguishes each diagnosis.