I was diagnosed with Bipolar Type 2 at thirteen, after losing a good friend of ours tragically at school. I had taken it upon myself to listen to doctors and my family, to continue having a relatively normal life with friends and family. Not going to lie, it was no easy task at first; however, with time, balance came. That’s how I learned that structure and routine were a vital part of this. Later in life, at nineteen, I moved to London solo, to better myself after losing a dear, close family member— it had destroyed me. My emotions ran wild. This is it part of a mania attack— hypomania. London was the next best thing I had ever decided upon. I spent seven years there. New friends were made, relationships were built, and things were all going well, apart from the odd boyfriend or friends issue.
I suffer from hypomania which falls under bipolar type 2, which is the mildest of them all in the bipolar spectrum. It’s controlled well with a therapist, medication and exercise. I am fortunate to understand how to learn to control and say no to certain things. I learnt how to be “selfish” when necessary, which is a vital thing with any human.
Unfortunately, Bipolar has a great stigma surrounding it, and it’s a word that people are so quick to judge. Many people can never understand it, but I try my utmost to offer advice and help educate wherever I can. Here are just a handful of things that have helped keep my mental health equilibrium in check.
Structure and routine
Bipolar type one OR two are a highly difficult situation without balance and structure. So, as with a small baby, it’s vital that routine is in place. Without routine, life falls apart.
Friends, family and relationships
My close friends are an amazing support system. I give out lot of advice and help others too. My parents are the best at my hypomania moments. They’re my all. They are fully supportive and honestly, they’re my best friends. They’ve definitely got my full respect as their daughter. My sister is a psychologist, so she has had her fair share of input also. I’m very fortunate.
Hobbies and work balance
Social Media has helped me get by A LOT. Being obsessed with Tiktok has really done wonders for my anxiety—especially during the pandemic. Even though social media should be avoided in excess, it’s worked in my benefit this time around, as it has helped me to get into more creative things.
It blows my mind to see such great interaction with the outside world, and I use social media within my job working for my family business. With my socially active lifestyle, I can say I pretty much love my life- work balance, relationship and my friends.
Diet and restrictions
Diet comes into this a lot too— all mental health to be honest. Sugars and fast food were all eliminated. Excess sugars are bad, regardless whether you suffer with your mental health or not. I personally learnt that the lack of sugar got me into a good place mentally with my hypomania.
Exercise and dance
I love to live for others, and I’m happy to say that, after thirty-one years I’m still standing, and working hard at what I love. I train a lot at the gym and at home; I mostly focus on strength training and dance. Tiktok is a great outlet for this!
Meditation and therapy
As much as I love my social life, I also love being alone, and my solo time helps me to reset. Also, an infinitely helpful factor: meditation. Thanks to a good, close friend of mine I started to meditate. It soon got to be a habit, and I find it really helps.
My beloved dog
Ever since I was diagnosed, I’ve had a pet dog. First it was Sam, then when I was twenty-eight and Sam passed away, I got Marley. These dogs were both my “therapy dogs” and my besties. Marley especially has been my support, and totally devoted to me.
It’s a bond which I have never witnessed before— I honestly don’t know how I’d get by without him. Dogs help BOTH hypo extremes, the anxiety and the lows. They truly are a great support system.
Follow Francesca Satariano’s Mental Health Instagram at bipolar_awareness_malta
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Francesca Satariano is a marketing executive who adores fitness, animals and socialising. She has lived 6 1/2 years in the United Kingdom working in retail and property. Eventually she moved back to Malta where she started her profession in sales and design, and later on her favourite profession: marketing for her family business.
Francesca admits that Malta has been such a challenge for her but she wouldn’t change it for the world.
