Introduction to Kelly Waters, Author of ‘Bipolar Vida’

My name is Kelly Waters, the new author of Bipolar Vida, and I live with bipolar disorder type 1, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism. I am a creative, free-spirited person with a passion for sharing my mental health story, working to erase mental health stigma, and making others feel less alone with their mental health struggles. I am excited to bring my experiences to Bipolar Vida and the HealthyPlace platform.

Kelly Waters‘s Journey with Bipolar Disorder

I was first diagnosed with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in high school. When I was in college, I experienced my first manic episode, and my diagnosis was changed to bipolar disorder type 1. I was in and out of the hospital many times during college for both depressive and manic episodes. However, after a lot of therapy, self-work, and finding the right medications, I was able to graduate with a Bachelor’s of Data Analytics.

I felt very alone when I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder because I did not know many people my age who had similar experiences. At the time, I never would have believed that I would be able to accomplish as much as I have while managing the illness. I want to acknowledge and validate the difficulties that we face living with this illness but also remind others that living a very happy life is still possible.

Kelly Waters‘s Hopes for the ‘Bipolar Vida’ Blog

I am excited to write for the Bipolar Vida blog and share my personal experiences with bipolar disorder. I aim to highlight the tools and approaches that have been the most beneficial for me. I believe that reading about the experiences of everyday people living with this illness can help others feel less alone and provide valuable insights. I plan to share my experiences with work, relationships, self-esteem, and wellness, all through the lens of living with bipolar disorder type 1.

Watch this video to learn more about me and what I aim to provide with Bipolar Vida.

More About Kelly Waters

One of the biggest tools that helps me manage my mental health is having healthy creative outlets. Writing has always been something that I am very passionate about, and I found a lot of solace in writing during my worst years living with bipolar disorder. I write music, poetry, prose, and nonfiction about my experiences with mental health. I self-published a fiction novel titled Lithium and Let’s Plays, featuring a young female protagonist with bipolar disorder type 1. I publish poetry on my Medium page and Instagram. My hope with writing about mental health is to help others understand what it is like to live with bipolar disorder and to make those who also have bipolar disorder feel less alone.

I also have a podcast called Shining Through, where I share my mental health experiences. I started my podcast after a few years of stability because I want to be a voice for other young people who feel lost or alone with their mental health. 

I am 26, live in sunny Florida with my boyfriend, and work as a data analyst.