Beyond the Bipolar Label: Breaking Self Stigma and Shame with Dr. Andrea Vassilev

What happens when the stigma surrounding bipolar becomes part of how you see yourself? Emily sits down with psychotherapist, author, and mental health advocate Dr. Andrea Vassilev to talk about living with bipolar, overcoming self stigma, and building an identity that goes far beyond a diagnosis. Dr. V shares her own journey from being diagnosed with a mood disorder at 14 to experiencing years of severe symptoms, ECT treatments, and eventually turning her lived experience into work that helps others. They explore why bipolar can look so different from person to person, the importance of medication and sleep in Dr. V’s own wellness routine, and the power of peer support and community. Dr. V also shares the story behind her workbook, Beyond the Bipolar Label, and how a doctoral project focused on self stigma grew into a program being used internationally. The conversation also explores the difference between having bipolar and allowing a diagnosis to define your entire identity, how to challenge shame and self stigmatizing thoughts, and how to decide when, how, and with whom to share your diagnosis. Above all, Dr. V encourages people to respect their own pace because healing is not linear and everyone’s relationship with bipolar is different. Chapters 00:00 Losing Years to Bipolar 01:07 Dr. Andrea Vassilev’s Story 03:02 How a Bipolar Diagnosis Can Affect Identity 05:39 Understanding Self Stigma 07:58 The Years Dr. V Lost to Bipolar 11:01 How Seasons and Sunlight Can Affect Mood 13:31 Understanding the Bipolar Spectrum 17:39 Why Bipolar Can Be Difficult to Diagnose 20:29 Bipolar and Other Mental Health Diagnoses 23:10 Separating Symptoms From Your Identity 25:49 What Stigma and Self Stigma Really Mean 29:34 Why Peer Support Can Be So Powerful 30:50 Turning a Dissertation Into a Global Program 32:40 Dr. V’s Nonnegotiables for Managing Bipolar 35:48 Finding Your Bipolar Community 37:16 The Story Behind Beyond the Bipolar Label 38:19 What You’ll Find Inside the Workbook 39:50 Deciding Whether to Disclose Your Diagnosis 41:01 Living Openly and Challenging Stigma 43:39 How to Support Someone Living With Bipolar 44:17 Why You Shouldn’t Judge Your Healing Journey 46:48 Healing Is Not Linear Subscribe, Share, Rate & Follow. New episodes every Tuesday! Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4MhW... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...