Stephanie’s Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder Came as a Shock

“Asking for help is the greatest gift I’ve ever given myself,” said Stephanie, smiling, as we began our meeting.

Stephanie has bipolar disorder, a diagnosis that often comes as a shock. To her, those words seemed downright unreal, exaggerated when they were uttered some 15 years ago.

“When my doctor told me I was bipolar, I didn’t believe him. At the time I was helping my father with his business. I worked hard, slept little, forgot to eat, and jumped to exaggerated conclusions very quickly… It was my relatives who first took me to the hospital. I was so out of touch with reality that I thought the ambulance I was in was driving me to an appointment with the accountant.”

That first visit to the psychiatric emergency room at the Montreal General Hospital was followed by hospitalization. Unfortunately, it would not be the last for Stephanie, who has had to learn to live with the disease, and to accept the different treatments and therapy offered to her.

“Like many people in my situation, I wanted to stop my treatments. I went through a series of ups and downs, but the moment I realized that I needed help, I mustered all my courage and gave myself the tools to get better. I realized that when I was a kid, I didn’t mind asking for help. So why would it be any different now?”

Getting the right tools to get better

Stephanie knows that medication works well for her and is necessary for her well-being. So she takes it regularly.

“I also make sure to take care of my “bees”: Breathe, Exercise, Eat and Sleep.”

Stephanie was fortunate enough to participate in group therapy and then individual therapy every week for a year. Listening to her, it was obvious that year of introspection and self-work helped her take the next step in her recovery.

“Being in therapy is not always easy. It forces you to confront your challenges, but it is so necessary. I feel blessed to have had access to such support.”

It was during this year of therapy that she launched her business. In the past, she had gone out and met with all kinds of employers to better understand the market and to see what environment would be of interest to her, and could benefit from her strengths. The question often came up: should she mention her bipolarity in interviews?

“Why not? After all, to be successful in a workplace, you have to find a team and a field that accepts you as you are. I was able to start my own business, which is something I wanted to do for a long time. I found colleagues with whom I was very transparent from the start and they responded very well. It gave me the confidence to continue.”

Ending the Stigma around Mental Illness

Some may say that Stephanie is brave to share her story. This sentence alone speaks to the stigma surrounding mental illness. Her mother and sisters have been supportive throughout her journey. It is through their support that she has been able to find the balance that allows her to lead an orderly life while pursuing her goals.

“I hope that one day people will no longer be embarrassed to talk about the mental health challenges they face. That they will no longer be afraid of the impact on their career or personal life. That we will all have caring family members, employers and friends who will see the strength in those of us who have overcome so much. I am fortunate that I got the support and guidance I needed, and that I now have a stable enough life that I can in turn help those who are going through tough times.”

Stephanie is involved as a peer mentor with other people with mental illnesses and disorders through the MUHC’s Recovery Transition Program (RTP).

She is also participating in the Pharmaprix LOVE YOU Run for Women on June 12, 2022, to benefit the Montreal General Hospital Foundation in support of the MUHC Mental Health Mission.

“This event allows me to participate in a major effort to raise awareness about mental illness and mental health, while raising funds to support the MUHC Mental Health Mission which has helped me so much and helps so many people in our community.”

Running, walking and physical activity in general are great ways to regain or maintain good mental health. The Pharmaprix LOVE YOU Run for Women takes place on June 12 at Parc Maisonneuve in Montréal. The event is open to everyone, regardless of gender, age or physical condition. It is possible to run 10 km, to run, walk or roll 5 km and a 1 km run is also planned for children under 12 years old.

You can make a donation to support patients and medical teams.

Support the Mental Health Mission