How to Overcome PTSD from Bipolar Disorder
How to Overcome PTSD from Bipolar Disorder Living with bipolar disorder is not just about navigating mood swings. The emotional wreckage that follows — the fear, guilt, flashbacks, and shame — can feel just as heavy. Many people quietly live with PTSD from bipolar disorder, haunted by what happened during manic or depressive episodes. This overlap between bipolar disorder and PTSD is more common than many realize. I recently met an old friend who told me that he had overcome cancer a few years ago. He shared with me that even after overcoming cancer, he still lives with PTSD caused by the difficulty of enduring such suffering. It reminded me of what I mentioned in my own book about how I, too, had to heal from the trauma of experiencing mania and depression. But then I looked at him and said, “There is nothing quite like a severe chronic illness that will lead to clarity about the priorities in life.” His head nearly fell off in agreement… The truth is: the trauma that comes after bipolar episodes is real. You can heal from it, and doing so begins with understanding what your mind and body have endured. But boy, once you’re done with the healing process, life is truly beautiful knowing what really matters. For more, check out my book The Five Pillars of Bipolar Recovery, book and masterclass. You can also check out my free resources. What Causes PTSD from Bipolar Disorder? When you live through extreme mood episodes, your brain and body experience a kind of storm — and sometimes, it leaves scars. Many people develop bipolar disorder trauma or bipolar and PTSD symptoms after severe manic or depressive phases. Common sources of trauma after bipolar episodes include: These are not overreactions — they’re natural human responses to overwhelming experiences. After my manic episode and year-long severe depression, I gained some footing. What made recovery difficult was my fear of relapse. I was so scared of going back to a bad place that it would ironically trigger PTSD and bipolar anxiety. Recognising that what I was experiencing was a trauma response was the first step toward healing. Ask yourself — is this happening to you? Here are some steps to consider when grappling with the PTSD caused by bipolar disorder. Step 1: Create Stability Before Healing the Trauma Before you can process painful memories, your body and mind need safety. For anyone with bipolar disorder and PTSD, this means first focusing on stabilizing mood. Try to: When your body feels safe, your brain can finally begin to let go of the trauma. For me, when I had a poor night’s sleep, I would feel triggered. So I started working with a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist to correct my thinking whenever I felt even slightly off. Step 2: Work with a Trauma-Informed Therapist Who Understands Bipolar Disorder Not every therapist understands the interplay between bipolar and trauma. Look for someone who specialises in both. Effective approaches for healing PTSD and bipolar depression include: When reaching out to therapists, ask: “Do you have experience working with trauma in people with bipolar disorder?” This ensures you find someone equipped to help you process safely and effectively. Although I am not a therapist, I have worked with dozens of people as an integrative-mental health coach to holistically overcome the acute phases of bipolar disorder and its aftermath. Psychology Today is a great resource to find the right therapist for you. Step 3: Rebuild Self-Trust and Compassion After a manic or depressive episode, many people struggle with deep self-blame — common in both PTSD and bipolar disorder: But remember — what happened was not a moral failure. It was a neurological and psychological event that overwhelmed your system. Healing means learning to see your story through the lens of compassion, not shame. Practical steps: Self-compassion is not indulgence — it’s medicine for the wounded parts of you. Step 4: Integrate the Past Into Your Life Story The goal of recovery isn’t to erase the past, but to make peace with it. You survived something extraordinary — and you can learn from it. You WILL learn from it and come out stronger than ever. Ways to integrate your story: When your bipolar and PTSD trauma becomes something you hold — rather than something that holds you — you reclaim your power. Trust me, the more you talk it out to yourself with compassion and to someone who knows how to listen well, the faster you will move toward overcoming bipolar disorder trauma. Step 5: Strengthen Support Systems and Grounding Practices Both PTSD and bipolar disorder thrive in isolation. Building a strong network of support is crucial for long-term healing. Here’s how to do it: Your community can be your mirror — reflecting your growth, not your illness. My fear had to do with judgment because I did in fact face rejection from people who saw me as a liability… and that hurt. The great thing about that time is that it filtered out all the wrong people in my life and made way for so many beautiful people. Step 6: Medication and Mind-Body Healing A combination of medication and holistic healing often works best for bipolar disorder and PTSD. Mood stabilizers such as lithium, lamotrigine, risperidone, or valproate can help prevent bipolar depression and PTSD episodes. As always, seek the advice of a licensed health professional when it comes to medications. For trauma symptoms like flashbacks or anxiety, psychiatrists may carefully use additional medications, though antidepressants require close monitoring to avoid triggering mania. Mind-body approaches that support healing include: Healing trauma is as much about calming the body as it is about understanding the mind. I love talking about this kind of stuff on my YouTube channel, so check it out to learn more about the mind-body connection. Step 7: Healing Is a Journey — Not a Destination My healing journey continues to this day and will continue until my last breath. Recovering from PTSD caused by bipolar disorder