Posts by Mark Henderson

Father of four, Alzheimer’s disease research coordinator and film enthusiast, David, 57, Melbourne, struggled to make sense of his everyday thoughts and feelings for more than three decades.  It wasn’t until his early thirties that David first sought professional help. He was however, finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 43 years of age.     David’s…

Freelance journalist, wife and mother-of-two Jo, 39, Newcastle, has lived with clinical depression and anxiety for most of her life. Two years ago she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after battling with symptoms of the mental illness for more than a decade. Jo’s family life and career have been profoundly affected by bipolar disorder. However,…

HR business partner, wife, fitness enthusiast and cat owners Bek, 46, Newcastle, has battled clinical depression and anxiety for most of her life. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 25.  Although Bek’s world has been turned upside down by bipolardisorder, with invaluable help from her psychiatrist and supportive husband, a medication management plan,…

Father of one, self-employed handyman and former State Emergency Service (SES) volunteer, Scott, 45, Adelaide was diagnosed with bipolar disorder seven years ago. After attending a motor vehicle fatality as an SES volunteer, Scott completed a mandatory psychological debrief, and was then referred for further psychiatric examination. He was subsequently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Having…

Marine biologist and environmental engineer, Michelle, 50, Adelaide, has lived with bipolar disorder for the past 33 years. During this period, she battled extreme highs and lows.   The disorder impacted all facets of Michelle’s life, including her family, friends, career, and studies, as well as her physical health. She currently manages her illness with…

University student and sales assistant, Jess, 24, began to show symptoms of bipolar disorder as a child. It was not however, until her late teens, that she was officially diagnosed with the illness.   With her mental health in steep decline from 14 years of age, Jess started to self-harm, which led to a diagnosis…

Mother-to-one, budding artist and secondary school teacher who studied genetics at university, Kate, 48, Melbourne, has lived with symptoms of bipolar disorder since her early teens. She has sought psychological intervention and received treatment for depression for over 30 years and has been admitted to a mental health facility on four occasions. It was not…

Mother of two, former senior accountant and now volunteer, Petra, 46, Perth was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 27, after years of struggling with crippling childhood anxiety. Petra has undergone extensive psychiatric and psychological treatment throughout her life. During her teens, Petra was moved from school to school, and often experienced severe…

Aquaculture technician who loves to camp and four-wheel-drive with his mates on weekends, Justin, 31, Hobart, was free of any signs of mental illness until experiencing a mental breakdown in 2006 at the age of 19 following the death of a family member. After this incident, Justin’s life spiralled out of control, and he recalls…

Happily married mother of two, writer, mental health advocate, and part-time veterinarian, Anita, 45,Brisbane, has lived with bipolar I disorder for the past 12 years. During this period, she has battled symptoms of mania, delusional thinking, psychosis and catatonic depression. Anita either is functioning well or is non-functional. When she is well, she is able…