Images of bipolar
Many of these images come from open media libraries and there are some great ones out there. Where I have borrowed from them, this section will provide links to the source and its creator, in case you’d like to explore further. I have added notes as to why I chose the image, with links back to the page where it’s used.
Drowning
I love this image as I can see how it illustrates the spark of a manic high, the quick-firing, staccato thoughts and brightness of life yet is underpinned by dark, unfathomable water, as reflected in the photographer’s title for it.
Featured in: Home page
True Colours
This is my mood chart from True Colours mood tracker for the period of lockdown. The pandemic took its toll in terms of an extended period of hypomania as you can see from the red line. I showed this graph to two doctors and they drew quite different conclusions – one focussing on the cessation of an antipsychotic in February 2020, the other talking more about the impact of stress.
Featured in: The pandemic – they think it’s all over
Double helix DNA
A bright image that appeals to my sense of colour. Although some progress has been made about the possible genetics of bipolar (70:30 split between hereditary to environmental factors, I think, but can’t find a source), there is still so much more to learn.
Featured in: Down the line – was my bipolar inherited?
Window box
Gardening has long been a hobby of mine and its therapeutic power is gradually being recognised in medical and community settings – a couple of hours pulling out dandelions really does clear the mind.
Featured in: Recovering from psychosis
Volunteer duty
I have taken part in bipolar research like this. Wearing a cap with gloopy gel on my hair then looking at black and white photos of faces on a computer screen and pressing a button if they made me feel happy or sad.
I plan to write about the bipolar research I have taken part in at some point.
by Tim Sheerman Chase
Books
Information and resources – not just books and newspapers, although a good starting point. Also charities and other organisations, online services, films and TV etc etc etc
Featured in: Medical information
Martini
The marketing tagline and theme tune for the cocktail drink, Martini “The bright one, the right one” was an anthem during one of my manic episodes, a subtle message to people around me that I was indeed a 21st century messiah, the second coming.
Featured in: The agony and ecstasy of psychosis
Pile of assorted CD cases
I remember 78rpm heavy black shellac. Life moves fast, now I have a small vinyl collection, a bigger CD collection, and invisible cloud music that I listen to via my devices.
There is something about collections and display though, isn’t there?
Featured in: “Is being mentally ill normal?”
by freestocks.org on Pexels.com
Gray clouds
An image to represent depression is very hard without slipping into cliche. For me initially at least, it was a very physical thing. I felt gutted, that someone had punched me and ripped out my intestine – an inverse scene from Alien. I walked around for months without innards. Later there was an overwhelming numbness, going through the motions of living, masked by a busy social life and pursuit of a career. Maybe in this case, words do say it better.
Featured in: AWOL
Man in a gray hoodie…
Mania is similar. From the outside people may not notice, a friendly person, a witty person, an energetic person, a driven person, a drunk person, Tigger on speed…
On the inside it can be glorious – look at this guy, he’s having a great time – for now at least.
Featured in: Give me my rapture: psychotic mania
by The Lazy Artist Gallery on Pexels.com
Disintegration of lithium…
I have loved lithium, it has kept me well for three decades. This podcast about its other applications did get me thinking about the sustainability of supply.
Featured in: Love/hate lithium
Woman holding a tablet
Taking an aspirin is an unremarkable act, taking a psychiatric drug for some people is so much more.
The image focusses (for me) on the physical action, but not what it can mean psychologically – we have some way to go on this…
Featured in: Does everyone go through bipolar denial?
by Danilo Alvesd on Unsplash
Person’s hand touching wall
One thing that really bugs me about living with bipolar is that you can never really escape it. It surrounds you like the fog in this picture, you can still see, but some things may not be clear. You can still feel, but is that you or the condition? As I write at the end of this post, why can’t a good day just be a good day?
Featured in: “Dogged by an unfair foe”
Credit: Andy Scott – CC-BY-SA 4.0 on wikimedia
Mural of The Annunciation…
I am London-born and have lived here almost all my working life. Yet until my most recent episode, I was unaware of this mural, a stone’s throw from my stomping ground. When Jean Cocteau created it in November 1959 it was a big news story of the day (imagine). If you’re passing, pop by.
Featured in: There are only seven basic plots
Trafalgar Square lions…
Trafalgar Square is an important landmark and has witnessed some important moments of the City and nation’s history: celebrations at the end of two world wars, countless New Year’s Eve revellers, poll tax and other significant demonstrations and a failed one woman revolution…
Featured in: A Red Letter day
Cable sweater
Knitting an ancient and somewhat old-fashioned skill, often undertaken by women.
Maybe because of that it is undervalued. If someone knits for you, it’s an act of love.
Featured in: Price and value
Lobby of Charlotte Street Hotel…
Scene of two visits in a day, the staff were polite and respectful in the face of my dishevelled and eccentric look. I only wish I did have that party….
Featured in: Bon ton roulet – Let the good times roll
with comfortable armchairs and cat statue
Ambulance door …
Some people don’t realise that acute mental illness is a medical emergency.
These people do.
Featured in: An ordinary London street with an extraordinary resident
Working with technology
Image from the Age-positive image library at the Centre for Ageing Better, a great resource for non-stereotypical and realistic photos of older people.
Featured in: Older with bipolar: a double whammy
Sweet winter coleslaw
Cooking is part of my self care and I like to try new recipes. This was a treat for Boxing Day and a bowl of jewels from Yotam Ottolenghi
Featured in: How I stay happy, not manic
Doctor with mobile phone
I am a technophile and very interested in using tech to improve my own healthcare
Featured in: Getting digital health care right – a patient’s view
Raindrops on a metal surface
This image is of a garden table that I had just repainted, when it rained. This beautiful pattern was left.
Featured in: Nature, nurture, nonsense
Cogs – working as one machine…
This image shows that with an adjustment the cogs can work together. My experience of NHS mental health services is that sometimes this is not quite the case.
Featured in: Help for serious mental illness
