In this deeply honest and powerful conversation, Shaley sits down with mental health advocate, author, and peer mentor Mel to share her lived experience with bipolar disorder.

Mel opens up about her early struggles, being misdiagnosed, and what it was like to experience severe depression, mania, and psychosis. She shares the reality of a nine-month depressive psychotic episode, the impact of medication, and the complexity of navigating bipolar disorder alongside physical illness, trauma, and motherhood.

This episode also explores topics that are often misunderstood or left unspoken — including hypersexuality, eating disorders, stigma within families, and the challenges of accepting a lifelong diagnosis.

Mel’s story is raw, real, and ultimately hopeful — a reminder that stability, purpose, and connection are possible.

In this episode, we talk about:

Early signs of mental health struggles in childhood
Depression, misdiagnosis, and SSRI-induced psychosis
What manic and psychotic episodes actually feel like
A 9-month depressive psychotic episode
Eating disorders and bipolar disorder
Hypersexuality and shame
Medication, stigma, and acceptance
Pregnancy, postpartum mental health, and bipolar
Writing a memoir and healing through storytelling KEY MOMENTS:
(00:32:15) SSRI-triggered depressive psychosis begins
(00:35:40) Feeling like people are imposters / losing reality
(00:38:10) Nine-month isolation and disconnection
(00:44:55) Shift from depression into mania
(00:47:20) Grand delusions (believing she could become a doctor instantly)
(00:50:30) Hallucinations and suicidal psychosis

About Mel:

Melissa Pang Howard is the author of the memoir Mental(ish) A Memior of Insanity and the Search for Stability. A blogger for the International Bipolar Foundation and a frequent panelist for the Reddit Bipolar AMA, she focuses on navigating Bipolar 1, c-PTSD, and the path from surviving to thriving. Through her writing and advocacy, Melissa explores the intersections of trauma, identity, and resilience to support others on their journey toward stability.

Purchase Mel's Memoir here:

Mental(ish): A Memoir of Insanity and the Search for Stability

Connect with Mel:
Instagram: @mindful_movement_for_mania

Connect with Shaley:

www.thisisbipolar.com
Instagram: @this.is.bipolar

Do you have a Bipolar Peer Support Group?

Shaley private Instagram subscriber group is a safe, supportive space for people living with bipolar disorder.

It’s a place to be seen, heard, and understood — where you can share openly, connect with others who truly get it, and find support on both the hard days and the good ones. Members also have access to monthly Zoom meetups for deeper connection and conversation.

How to join:
Go to @this.is.bipolar on Instagram and tap “Subscribe” to access the private chat and community.