In this solo episode of Bipolar She, I talk about how a lithium dose reduction triggered a bipolar crisis and led to brain fog, confusion, sleep disruption, exhaustion, and intrusive suicidal thoughts--thoughts about suicide that were clearly not my own--but still deeply disturbing. What began as a small psychiatric medication change turned into nearly a month of instability, pulling me away from life and even away from the podcast. Ugh!

I had started this adjustment in my lithium dose because of my tremor (see episode Lithium: Why I Shake) A med adjustment can often have so much hope attached to it. Will I feel more like myself? Will life be richer and fuller? Will my senses work better and will I even excel more athletically?

But for my bipolar disorder 1 disorder, even a small lithium taper (a form of medication change), sent me on a roller coaster of a month this March--and potentially a life threatening ride. Ultimately, I was met with defeat. I rarely have any luck during a change, but I still take the risk, with the hope of having a better life. This episode is about bipolar disorder, lithium, suicidal thoughts, psychiatric medication tapering, and how destabilizing even a small med change can be.

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Give to Bipolar She & Support Podcast Production: buymeacoffee.com/bipolarshe

Music composed and performed by guitarist, JD Cullum

Edited by Brandon Moran

Sponsored by Soar With Tapping

In honor of International Women’s Day, I’m joined by executive coach Rachel Wexler for a real conversation about what happens when you look “fine” on the outside—but inside you’re pushing, overthinking, and quietly unraveling. Rachel shares how early pressure to appear successful can create perfectionism and people-pleasing, and how a personal turning point helped her finally get support and shift the way she cared for herself.

We connect the dots between imposter syndrome (that “I’m a fraud” feeling), anxiety, and the slow slide into burnout—especially when your workload grows faster than your sense of stability or support. Rachel explains how imposter thoughts can pull you out of the “productive stress” zone and into chronic self-doubt, and why that uncertainty can spiral into exhaustion over time.

Rachel also breaks burnout down into three clear parts:

Exhaustion (emotional, physical, or both)

Cynicism / depersonalization (withdrawing, losing connection and meaning)

Reduced efficacy (losing your edge and feeling less effective than you used to)

I also share how imposter syndrome can feel compounded when you’re already “passing as normal” with a mood disorder—how the pressure to perform can stack on top of what you’re already managing internally.

And we get practical about what helps: why remote work can strip away the small moments that build reassurance and belonging, and how to intentionally recreate those feedback loops by asking directly for feedback, scheduling connection, and choosing psychologically safe environments with authentic leadership and a solid job-fit dynamic. Rachel offers so many actionable words of wisdom. Start taking notes!

Work with Rachel: Rachel Wexler Leadership: Next Level Executive Coaching for Modern Leaders and Organizations

Follow Rachel: Rachel regularly shares reflections, learnings, and perspectives on leadership on LinkedIn and Instagram

JEWEL: Joining and Empowering Women in the Exploration of Lived Experience celebrates professional women leaders' journeys, with the intention of using their stories to provide career insights and navigation support to mid-career women on the rise.

Support the show

Give to Bipolar She & Support Podcast Production: buymeacoffee.com/bipolarshe

Music composed and performed by guitarist, JD Cullum

Edited by Brandon Moran

Sponsored by Soar With Tapping

Spring doesn’t just bring longer days—it often puts people with bipolar disorder at higher risk for manic symptoms and hospitalizations. Changes in sunlight at the edges of the day, circadian rhythm shifts, increased dopamine, and a faster social pace--tempts us to sleep less and do more.

With earlier wake-ups, I start to see and feel vibrant colors, have chills that arrive with a thought, telling me my nervous system is a little wound up. So I keep on top of my sleep and have a provider that makes sure I do.

Luckily, I can catch mania early on because of sleep deprivation. Even if the world feels electric, I soon carry a heavy tiredness behind my eyes. It's hard to admit, but I then know mania has arrived.

Firm up your spring routines before the lift becomes a launch. If you or someone you love navigates bipolar disorder, this conversation offers a mix of lived experience and actionable tools to keep spring and summer steady.

If this resonates, subscribe, share the episode with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review—it helps more listeners find strong, practical support.

Support the show

Give to Bipolar She & Support Podcast Production: buymeacoffee.com/bipolarshe

Music composed and performed by guitarist, JD Cullum

Edited by Brandon Moran

Sponsored by Soar With Tapping