044: Living (And Thriving) With Bipolar Disorder – Lydia’s Story

Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. These shifts can make it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 4.4% of U.S. adults experience bipolar disorder at some time in their lives. Lydia Nightingale has lived with bipolar type one for over 14 years, and despite resisting diagnosis for the first five, she now manages it incredibly well. Don’t miss this journey into this complex and under-discussed mental illness. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:  

• The real-life experiences of living with bipolar disorder type one 
• How personal beliefs and mental health treatment can clash  
• The role of electroconvulsive therapy in treating bipolar disorder 
• Day-to-day strategies for managing bipolar disorder that work  
• Navigating stigma, employment, and other real-world concerns with bipolar disorder 

More about Lydia:

Lydia J. Nightingale is a writer, actor, and public historian originally from Troy, NY. She holds a BA in Theatre Arts from SUNY New Paltz and an MA in Public History from the University at Albany. Her plays have been produced in festivals all over New York State, including the 2023 Rochester Fringe Festival. She is currently employed at Nazareth University in Rochester, NY and recently finished writing a queer historical romance novel set in 1955 NYC titled DRAWN