So, how can women with Bipolar disorder navigate these cultural expectations while prioritizing their mental well-being? In this article, we’ll break down the key challenges, explore cultural influences including those related to corporate culture in the workforce, and provide practical strategies for managing expectations without compromising health.

Cultural Expectations Around Mental Health

Cultural expectations can significantly shape how individuals perceive, express and seek help for mental health issues like Bipolar disorder. These expectations can influence everything from emotional expression to treatment-seeking behaviours. In some cultures mental health is seen as a part of an individual's overall health and therefore is treated with the same care and respect as any other medical condition. In other cultures however, mental illness is attributed to spiritual or religious factors and is looked upon as a weakness or demonic possession. Bipolar disorder is considered an illness of mood or emotional fluctuation and in some cultures emotional expression is encouraged whereas in others emotional restraint is promoted. 

Stigma, discrimination and language expressed in certain societies can prevent individuals from seeking help especially if the culture views mental illness as a weakness. Mental health touches all areas and cultures of our world but the perception of mental illnesses such as Bipolar disorder is vastly different in each and therefore treatment outcomes vary from hospitalization to ceremonious healing. 

Cultural responsiveness to mental illness in North America for instance has varied for many years. Although we have more of an understanding today of Bipolar disorder there continues to be stigma and bias that must be acknowledged and addressed for our culture to gain a deeper understanding of the complex issues around mental health and the disorders that characterize it. Because we live in a mosaic of cultures it is important that mental health care providers consider how someone’s culture, race, and ethnicity may influence their mental health and treatment outcomes.    

The Challenges of Women with Bipolar Disorder and Cultural Expectation We Face

In today’s society women are expected to wear different hats. Some are mothers, caregivers and nurturers while others are seen as career-driven, professional and tough. The new normal for women is to maintain stability while managing motherhood or singlehood, balancing work and life, managing their various other relationships and family obligations but most importantly regulating our emotions to match each role. This is what our culture expects but what if you are a woman with a serious mental illness like Bipolar disorder? Your ability to manage and maintain all of the above becomes challenging in the face of societal pressures. 

For some women the discovery of mental illness comes later in life when their roles have been defined and due to issues around gender bias there can often be diagnosis and treatment options offered to them that is geared to getting them back to who they are perceived to be, mother, caregiver, employee rather than treatment options grounded in mental well-being, recovery and emotional stability. Although gender bias seems to have no place in the mental health care system there still exists unfair disadvantages toward women who are seen as hysterical, dramatic or simply wanting to escape the responsibilities of their lives. Oftentimes these women are misdiagnosed or given treatment options that don’t address the mental health issues they face. 

It has been my experience due to cultural expectations that prior to my diagnosis of Bipolar disorder I was seen as a woman who could and would have it all: the education, the career, the family, the great long lasting friendships. My parents had high and really unrealistic expectations for me based on our immigration to Canada from Guyana. My mother once told me that where we were from was too small for her daughter with big dreams. After my diagnosis at 24–years-old some of the expectations faded into the background because of the fluctuation of my illness whenever I experienced periods of wellness it was like dreams and expectations were reborn in them. In my culture higher education is important so when I experience wellness I go back to university to earn degrees I don’t necessarily need but because it spoke to the pressure I felt from my family. 

Eventually, my Bipolar disorder would get in the way of educational or career advancement but I have learned a lesson based on cultural expectations. No matter what path I choose to walk down the only expectations I should concern myself with are the ones I have for myself because through all the pressures, biases and Bipolar backslides ultimately I have to face myself and the decisions I make about my mental health.  

At the Intersection: Stigma, Discrimination and Corporate Culture

In 1989, American civil rights scholar and activist Kimberle Crenshaw coined the term “intersectionality” which highlights the way race, gender, and other social categories intersect to create unique forms of discrimination and oppression. The relationship between stigma, discrimination and corporate culture may not seem to intersect but they do. For instance, I am an Afro-Carribean woman with Bipolar disorder and I have worked in various different fields therefore have had to exist in many corporate cultures. My experiences have varied in each but one thing has remained unwavering, workplace expectations and biases against mental illness exist and often show themselves in different forms. 

When hired onto a position there are three aspects of my identity that I always consider but only two are visible to my employer and co-workers from the onset of my job, that I am a woman and that I am black. In the past I have not revealed my struggle with mental illness until it’s usually apparent to those around me either due to reduced productivity or a mental health leave. I have often been in workspaces where I am the only black woman in the office so to compound those two aspects of my identity with a mental illness lies the intersectionality of my experience in the workforce. Over the years I have felt stigma and discrimination due to both my mental illness as well as my race but I can say that my Bipolar disorder rather than my race or gender does not fit the corporate molds of the places I’ve been employed.

Due to my mental illness I have lost several positions due to strange behaviours (hypomania) that didn’t fit the corporate culture of the organization. No one questioned how exceptional productivity suddenly turned to poor judgement and decision making, rather they feared for their bottom lines and showed me the exit as quickly as possible. No one tried to help their flailing teammate instead they steered clear of me as if mental illness was contagious. When I did disclose to those around me in a new position the results were the same, stigma, discrimination and ultimately termination due to lack of productivity. 

One of the ideas often promoted in corporate culture is the concept of “work-life-blanace” and but in the high-pressured work environment that I was attracted to I was unable to maintain self-care and career ambition. I was unable to manage my life as a woman with Bipolar disorder and work in the 9AM-5PM work cycle. I made the hard decision to choose a different path. But what about those women of any race that want to be a part of a high-pressured workforce? What about the women who dream of being doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers or police officers? Where do these women fit when they battle mental illness.I don’t have the answers to these questions but I will say that as we all stand at the intersection there needs to be more workplace accommodations and advocacy for mental health rights in the workforce. 

From my own experiences I’ve learned that even though I chose to focus on my mental health instead of work, the bottom line is I should never have to choose. I should never be afraid to take a mental health day or leave, I should never be afraid of what my coworkers will think upon my return or if my job will be at risk because my employer has lost faith in me. The fact is that we need more safe spaces in the workplace for people living with mental illness. Organization's corporate culture should be addressed and the intersection cleared for open communication and understanding rather than stigma and discrimination.     

Navigating Cultural Expectations While Maintaining Your Mental Health

Whether you are experiencing the cultural pressures from society, work or family, navigating these often unrealistic expectations can be a challenge when also trying to maintain your mental health. Setting healthy boundaries with the individuals in your world that believe they know best how to address your mental health concerns is key. You can do this by addressing their expectations in a compassionate and understanding way allowing people to express their opinions once and then advising them of which opinions you are willing to listen to and which do not suit your current mental health journey.

Also, it is vital to align your mental health goals with professionals who are culturally competent and can provide mental health support that speaks to your cultural experience. For instance, finding connections with counselors, psychiatrists or peer supporters from your race, sex, ethnic or cultural background may help you feel more comfortable sharing your experiences during the healing/remission/recovery process. It’s important to do your research when building your mental health support team as these commonalities can make a big difference in how you feel about your mental health and wellness journey. 

Self-advocacy can play an important role in educating and challenging misconceptions around mental illnesses like Bipolar disorder. It has been my experience that in order to stop the stigma surrounding my illness and the misconceptions that are often born from ignorance, I have had to be open and honest about my Bipolar disorder, both the positive and challenging aspects of living with a mood disorder. I have spoken in front of hundreds of people whose opinions and bias I’ve challenged simply with my ability speak on this difficult subject. I’ve answered questions I never believed anyone would ask me, difficult and sometimes embarrassing questions but I’ve answered them in the name of humanizing myself and my illness. Advocacy can come in many forms but it’s important to remember that when you speak-up for yourself you also speak for millions of others who struggle as well.     

Finally, connecting with peer support groups and mental health communities can help you create a culture within a culture.  We come from many different backgrounds, races, ethnicities etc. but when we come together as people who have the shared experience with mental health or mental illness those cultural differences and the expectations that come along with them take a back seat. When you find your mental health tribe you create a new culture, one that in my experience is based on compassion, encouragement, empathy and understanding.  

Final Thoughts

Navigating cultural expectations as a woman with Bipolar disorder is a complex journey, but it’s possible to honor both cultural identity and mental health needs. By understanding these challenges, setting boundaries, and seeking supportive communities, women can redefine expectations on their own terms. Mental health is not a weakness—it’s a part of life that deserves care, understanding, and advocacy. When you are standing at the intersection of cultural expectations and mental health challenges it's important to remember both are a part of your story and it's okay to honor each but it's essential to honor yourself and the journey to wellness you are on. 

If you found this article helpful, consider sharing it with others who may be facing similar struggles. Together, we can continue to have conversations that take us beyond the stigma of cultural and societal pressures to a place where mental health is embraced with compassion and empathy. 

The Illusion of Manic Love

Manic love is not real, lasting, or healthy. It’s a fleeting state, often mistaken for genuine affection, but it lacks the foundation of mutual respect and stability. This intense attachment can be traced back to unaddressed childhood trauma, creating an obsessive need to be loved that is more about filling a void than forming a true connection. When someone with Bipolar disorder enters a manic phase, they may experience delusions of grandeur—an inflated sense of self that often includes the romanticization of relationships.

During these manic episodes, emotions are heightened to the extreme: happiness feels euphoric, and anger can become explosive. Ordinary love becomes an all-consuming obsession. When we are in the throes of Mania, we might misinterpret friendly gestures from a potential partner—like a smile in line at a coffee shop—as the beginning of an epic love story. In reality, these interactions are often benign, yet our minds create elaborate narratives, leading us down a path of delusion.

A Personal Journey Through Manic Love

In 2010, I was hypomanic and teetering on the edge of full-blown Mania when I met a man who would become the object of my obsession. He was charming, intelligent, and physically attractive, but his unhealthy habits and dangerous associations should have raised red flags. Despite this, I was irresistibly drawn to him. Within three days, I found myself in a physical relationship, impulsively engaging in risky sexual practices, including voyeurism.

This relationship, which I now recognize as toxic, quickly escalated. My obsessive thoughts manifested as constant communication—between 20 to 50 calls daily to New Jersey, disregarding the financial implications. When summer ended, I found myself at his parents’ house, having invited myself to stay. Despite not resuming a sexual relationship, I poured my energy into supporting him in every way I could—cooking, cleaning, and even aiding him financially through his drug problems and criminal issues.

What I thought was love was actually a cycle of abuse that lasted 13 years. My manic episodes would rekindle my obsession, compelling me to reach out and remind him of our past connection. By the time I realized the depth of my delusion, I was sending Western Union transfers to support his lifestyle, desperately clinging to the idea that our bond was special.

The Dangerous Cycle of Manic Love

This kind of manic love often creates a dangerous cycle of mental and emotional abuse. Vulnerability can lead to exploitation, whether financially, emotionally, or sexually. The relationship I had was not one of mutual love; it was a manifestation of my illness and trauma. The thrill of the chase and the high of the initial connection gave way to a painful cycle of obsessive behaviors and emotional turmoil.

By early 2023, during the worst manic episode of my life, I sought out this man again. I had not spoken to him in over two years and had no recollection of him during my periods of wellness. However, mania brought back the memories, and I felt an obsessive need to reconnect. This time, I had changed; I was no longer the naive individual who fell into the delusion of love. Instead, I found myself filled with resentment and anger when I realized he had moved on without me.

In a desperate attempt to reclaim that connection, I proposed marriage, believing that somehow this would reignite our bond. To my dismay, he accepted, only to block my number shortly after. I was left feeling disillusioned and heartbroken over what was never truly love.

The Aftermath: Healing from Manic Love

Today, I am managing my Bipolar disorder and have developed a healthier outlook on relationships. I no longer think about my would-be fiancé or the toxic dynamics of that relationship. Instead, I have taken deliberate steps to protect my mental health, blocking all contact and deleting reminders of my past. I’ve learned to forgive both him and myself for the vulnerability that led to my exploitation.

It is essential to understand that engaging in relationships while in a manic state can have dire consequences. If you are single and managing Bipolar disorder, I urge you to discuss relationship management strategies with your healthcare team. For those already in a relationship, open communication with your partner about your emotional challenges, particularly during manic episodes, is vital.

Building Healthy Relationships: The Path to Self-Awareness

The journey toward healthier relationships starts with self-awareness and self-compassion. Understanding the roots of our emotional needs can prevent us from falling into the trap of manic love. We must learn to recognize the signs of unhealthy attachment and impulsivity that accompany our mood disorder.

Here are some steps to cultivate self-awareness and prevent falling into manic love:

1. Recognize Triggers: Identifying what sparks your Mania can help you navigate relationships with greater awareness.
2. Establish Boundaries: Communicating your needs with potential partners can create a safer emotional environment.
3. Seek Therapy: Professional guidance can provide strategies for managing emotions and building healthier connections.
4. Develop Support Networks: Engaging with others who understand your struggles can provide encouragement and insight.
5. Reflect on Your Needs: Understanding the origins of your obsessive need for love can help you break the cycle of delusion.

Final Thoughts

Manic love is not a romantic ideal; it is a symptom of deeper issues rooted in trauma. By recognizing that these intense emotions often mask underlying vulnerabilities, we can take the necessary steps to protect ourselves from future harm.

If you find yourself drawn into obsessive relationships or romantic delusions, remember that you are not alone. Seek help, engage in self-reflection, and prioritize your mental health. In doing so, you can cultivate a more profound understanding of yourself and what constitutes a healthy, lasting relationship.

Resources for Support

• Trauma Treatment and Therapy: Consider therapy options that focus on trauma-informed care.
• Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous: A support group for those struggling with compulsive behaviours in love.
• Books: "Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder" and "Codependency No More" are great resources for understanding and healing.

By confronting the delusions associated with manic love and fostering a deeper understanding of ourselves, we can pave the way for healthier relationships and a more fulfilling life.