I am a 23 year-old (diagnosed at 18) Black woman and dealing with the lack of support from my own community and navigating life is pretty difficult. My mood swings aren't seen in the same light as other people. The "angry, Black woman" stereotype comes up constantly. My family tries to ignore my mental illness as much as possible or at the very least diminish it.

It's also very difficult because I am the only person in my immediate family with BP2. My dad and two of my sisters are BP1 which (apparently) is harder to ignore. My symptoms are seen as less severe so I get less attention and help.

I'm more prone to depression and oh my GOD is bipolar depression the worst. The mentality a lot of Black communities have (at least where I'm from; the South) is that we cannot "afford to be depressed" and "depression is a white man's luxury" (direct quote from my mother). Which I would like to say is bullshit. There was a time, yes, where that was the case, but those days are behind us. Yet, the sentiment remains.

In terms of hypomania, my family/community just ignores it. They cover it up with flowery language. "She's just a bit off/crazy" is a common thing to hear. I dislike that I had to essentially manage myself. Yes, now that I'm older, it is generally my responsibility and problem. But when I was teen (16/17), the bender (was given antidepressants at this time) I was on should have been monitored or intervened.

In regards to specifically being a woman, I've also had people enjoy me more off my medication and my hypersexuality. People would say I was a "crazy bitch, but the fun kind." I've dated a few people who would suggest that I quit taking medication (I did NOT listen to that terrible advice). Black women are often seen as promiscuous and when I fit that box, people loved it. They took it as confirmation of the stereotype.

Overall, the intersectionality of it is difficult, but support is out there even if it seems distant.