Introduction to Geralyn Dexter, Author of ‘Bipolar Vida’

My name is Geralyn and I’m the new author of Bipolar Vida. Living with bipolar disorder certainly has its challenges. I’m a clinician, writer, advocate, idealist and doctoral student. I can’t tell you how excited I am to be able to share some of my personal bipolar experiences and nuggets of wisdom with you.

Geralyn’s Story of Bipolar Disorder at University

I began experiencing symptoms of depression as a teenager. It wasn’t until I was away at college and studying for my undergraduate degree that I had my first manic episode. Like many of us living with mental health issues, I was initially misdiagnosed. I was given every label from generalized anxiety disorder to borderline personality disorder. A couple of years later, the stress of graduate school began to take its toll on me and I went back to therapy for what I thought was anxiety. At 23 years old I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It was a scary time but also a relief. Being diagnosed with bipolar disorder seemed like this huge thing that I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to handle. At the same time, it was a relief because after being misdiagnosed for so long, I was finally able to make sense of some of my thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

‘Bipolar Vida’s’ Geralyn Dexter

I’ve learned so much about myself through my journey with mental health. I’ve come to acknowledge that I am so much more than my disorder and that it is something that I live with but not something that defines me. Talking about my experiences with others helped me to recognize that I wasn’t alone and that there is support and help out there. The experiences of others have taught me a lot.

As a clinician, I’ve dedicated my work to helping others who live with mental health issues. In my personal life, I’m constantly getting involved with projects that allow me to talk about mental health and wellness because it is something that I am deeply passionate about. I don’t believe that there can be any health or wellness without mental health. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to write about how to live a healthy and balanced life with bipolar disorder.

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