Running isn’t about fitness—it’s emotional regulation. How running helps me manage ADHD, Bipolar II, anxiety, and mood swings when the gym feels impossible.

Covid created endless idle time but zero inspiration. Living with Bipolar II and ADHD, I had to relearn patience, self-compassion, and tiny routines to stay grounded.

A day after a ketamine treatment, my mood flipped every two hours — despair, okay, hopeless, okay again. Bipolar depression can feel like the worst roller coaster ride imaginable, and this week reminded me just how fast it can drop. Here’s how I navigated the slump, medication changes, and finding a bit of stability again.

After my sixth Ketamine treatment, something unexpected shifted — not just my depression, but the explosive rage episodes tied to bipolar disorder. This is the small but meaningful relief I didn’t see coming.

Learning to recognize my bipolar cues didn’t make the cycles disappear, but it helped me understand what was happening instead of blaming myself. Here are the signs I watch for and how they help me show myself more grace during mood swings.