Dear Bipolar Warriors and Supporters,

This month, I tackled the practical issues that crop up when life intersects with bipolar disorder: why antipsychotics are common in hospital depression care, which alternative treatments have real evidence, how to shed the shame that can follow a suicide attempt, and how to keep extreme stress from tipping us into an episode. And because June is also Pride Month, I’m sharing a personal Instagram post about embracing every facet of identity. Whether you’re planning summer adventures or simply trying to stay steady, I hope these resources help.

📬 What's Inside:

• 🏥 A featured article on why antipsychotics are so common in hospital depression care
• 📝 Latest Bipolar Burble posts on evidence-based alternative treatments, suicide-attempt shame, and coping with extreme stress
• 📸 An Instagram highlight on embracing queer identity
• 🤝 Connect with me across platforms
• 💬 Final thoughts & quote on self-acceptance
• 🗣️ Share Your Feedback

Let's dive in!

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Featured Article: In-Hospital Antipsychotic Prescribing—Off-Label Uses, FDA-Approved Options & Patient Rights

Why does a psychiatrist hand you an antipsychotic when you’re admitted for severe depression—even if you aren’t psychotic? In my newly updated deep-dive I explain:

• The crisis equation: hospitals reach for potent meds because patients are acutely ill and previous treatments have failed. 
• Which antipsychotics have FDA approval (aripiprazole, quetiapine XR, brexpiprazole, cariprazine, olanzapine/fluoxetine) versus purely off-label use?
• Real-world risks doctors forget to mention—from weight gain to tardive dyskinesia—and how to insist on informed consent. 
• Your rights: questions to ask, when you can refuse, and how to advocate for safer dosing.

👉 Read the full article.

Latest Articles from Bipolar Burble

This month’s posts tackle facts, stigma, and survival skills head-on.

• Do Alternative Treatments Work for Bipolar Disorder? An Evidence-Based Guide—Wondering about acupuncture, omega-3s, NAC, massage, or hypnosis? I sifted through the trials—good, bad, and nonexistent—to show which options genuinely help and which could delay lifesaving care.
• Suicide Attempts & Shame: How to Heal After a Symptom of Serious Mental Illness—Up to half of people with bipolar will attempt suicide. This piece unpacks the data, dismantles self-blame, and offers concrete steps for recovery and conversation.
• Dealing with Extreme Stressors When You Have Bipolar Disorder—Major stressors—bereavement, job loss, even “happy” events like pregnancy—can shove bipolar brains toward episodes. I share symptoms to watch for and an action plan.

• 📚 More from Bipolar Burble
• 💥 My work on HealthyPlace, Breaking Bipolar
• 📝 My articles for Health Union
• 🎥 Videos for bpHope

"For those of you who don't know, I'm queer — bisexual (or pansexual, if you like) to be specific. This means that I've been attracted to people who identify with different genders. And while I don't personally feel proud of that, per se, I do not in any way feel ashamed. When I was 17 and figured it out, things were different. But now it's just a part of me. I don't come out. I don't stay in. It's just there. And that's what I wish for everyone.

So, happy Pride, all. Everyone deserves love. Everyone deserves happiness. Everyone deserves respect.

That's all we want."

Final Thoughts & Quote

Whether you’re celebrating Pride, tackling medication questions, or coping with stress, remember: your needs deserve respect. Keep learning, keep speaking, keep shining—exactly as you are.

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
— Oscar Wilde (or maybe not)