A several months after my husband started taking bipolar disorder medication, I thought we were done with the most difficult point of our life together. We found the source of our troubles, he started taking medications, and we were able to have conversations.

Today, my husband and I are picking up the pieces and mending the ruins after the hurricane. The hurricane has just passed us, but that doesn’t mean the work is over. We need to grieve and acknowledge our sorrow, then gather our strength to rebuild.

Right now, I am assessing the damage which bipolar disorder caused in my life: our relationship, financial issues, and my own everyday struggle. We can’t build the exact same life as before. I have to know what I want before we build our new life together.

Bipolar disorder is real, powerful, and scary. I knew the hurricane was coming my way, but I didn’t know how to prepare for it. Mental illness is not talked about enough. I hope we can talk about mental health openly with kindness, empathy, and curiosity. Some damage could have been avoided if I knew then what I know now.