Annie's Bipolar 1 Medical Costs

Hello! My name is Annie - I'm 31, a mom, a professional archaeologist, and I live with bipolar 1.

While in graduate school, I was diagnosed 8 years ago with bipolar and have had recurrent manic episodes, a hospital stay, and two stints with mental outpatient programs. I like to say I have an ongoing and specially curated cocktail of meds that in combination with my ongoing therapy, psychiatry, and psychology appointments help to manage my bipolar. I am ever grateful for my stellar support team of family, friends, doctors, and neurodivergent peers. I am constantly motivated to continue this wellness journey for myself but even more so for our big-hearted daughter, Ayla. I am passionate about motherhood and strive to show how neurodivergent parents can thrive and flourish in parenthood as well.

To do this, I am wholly committed to my mental health treatment but as many with mental health conditions know, the journey is arduous in many ways including financially. A 2001 study estimated that the cost of bipolar with recurrent episodes was $624,785 in a lifetime. My family and myself are feeling this burden and ask your help to make my continued mental health treatment and future acute treatment options possible. All funding would go towards my treatment for bipolar 1, depression, and PTSD. Please help me in my journey for a joyful, fulfilling, and healthy life.