Many of us know the 5 love languages but what about when you have bipolar disorder? Or you know someone living with bipolar disorder?

In honor of Valentine's Day, here are examples of love languages that I would personally appreciate or even what I can do for myself when in an episode.

If you live with bipolar disorder, what would you add? What's your top love language?

If you know someone with bipolar disorder, how would you support them in their preferred love language?

Share in the comments below and I hope you are able to celebrate today in the ways that feel good for you.

"You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."

#bipolardisorder #bipolarawareness #breakthestigma #asianmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters

"Bipolar & Me: A Chat on Our Lived Experiences" with @bipolarwithyou and @dr.laurenyang - thank you so much to all who joined us live! I am grateful to Tom for reaching out to have this conversation together and hope others learned more about bipolar disorder from what we shared.

Check out Tom's course on bipolar management by visiting his Instagram page and find more about the support groups I mentioned from @dbsalliance. If you would like to support others with mood disorders, please visit my DBSA Associate Board page (link in bio) and kindly contribute a meaningful donation.

#bipolardisorder #bipolarawareness #mentalhealthmatters

Join us on IG Live for a very special chat with @bipolarwithyou and @dr.laurenyang on living with bipolar disorder - across seas no less from Europe to the US West Coast!

When: Saturday, Jan 25, 2025
10 am Pacific Standard Time
7 pm Central European Summer Time

I had actually been thinking about doing a Live for a while especially with others who share the diagnosis, and Tom happened to kindly reach out to collaborate on one so what great timing 👏 He is a mental health advocate who helps people take charge of their bipolar disorder with over 20 years of his own experiences managing it.

Topics we will cover:
- Our triggers and red flags of a mood episode
- Impact on our loved ones and caretakers
- Common misconceptions about bipolar
- Cultural differences in mental health care
- Our own personal wellness planning

We will also be sharing resources and ways to support others with bipolar disorder so you don’t want to miss out!

With technology permitting, we are hoping to save and later upload this chat for those unable to attend.

What do you hope to hear us talk more about during the Live? Let us know in the comments below!

#bipolardisorder #bipolarawareness #breakthestigma #asianmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters

2025 @aapaonline executive committee retreat

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

#joy #play #flow #tracksuits #strawpoll #myhumps

When coming out of a depression, it feels like you're coming back up for air. It can be relieving but also comes with wariness when you have bipolar disorder. Is this an upswing, am I getting (hypo)manic again? Or is it just the contrast from being that low? I can better discern that for myself now, but depression still hits pretty hard when it does. Especially in the face of so much uncertainty for our country, along with many other personal struggles.

As I'm turning 34 years old and we're coming up on the end of the year, I tend to get reflective about what I've learned and what I can do better. I am also trying to remind myself how far I have come. That's for another post though. It does remind me how grateful I am to have my health when it's better and well, physically and mentally.

If you're new here, thank you for following. I am a licensed clinical psychologist and I have lived with bipolar II disorder for the past 11 years. I aim to destigmatize mental health conditions, challenge barriers to mental health care, and advance diversity in the field of psychology.

I am also proud to contribute to @dbsalliance mission as President of their Associate Board and previous Vice Chair of their Young Adult Council. They helped me become the advocate I am today, especially our staff liaison H who is no longer with us (RIP 🕊). Because I believe in what they do for the community, I have pledged to raise $1000 by the end of this year. It would truly mean a lot to help me reach my goal in support of others with mood disorders and in memory of H.

Finally, let's be extra kind to one another. We never know what someone else may be going through.

Learn more about my story and kindly contribute:
https://www.dbsalliance.org/our-team/lauren-yang/. Link in bio.

#bipolarawareness #bipolarbytes #asianmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #givingseason

Reflecting on the past week, I'm trying to keep in mind what impact I still can create, even when it feels like our voices aren't being heard. Many thanks to @dbsalliance and @psychcongress for having me join their annual convention. I am so grateful to my co-presenters Drs. Julie Carbray and Greg Mattingly for making me feel warmly welcomed. And it was heartening to have connected with those of you who attended the session.

I attribute much of how I've become the advocate I am today to the people at DBSA who have seen and believed in me. I still think about how H especially gave me the first opportunities to share my lived experiences with bipolar disorder, and I wish she were still here 🕊 Any time I speak is in honor of her.

Whether it be on mental health or social issues, I'll keep standing up because staying silent is really when we start to fall back. While hardship is part of the human experience, we don't have to go through them alone.

#mentalhealthmatters #bipolarawareness #asianmentalhealth #solidarity #keepmovingforward

What is a unique challenge for a person of minority with bipolar disorder? I discuss that and more in my webinar with @intlbipolar "Understanding Cultural Identities and Bipolar Disorder through an Intersectional Lens." Watch it on YouTube. Link in bio.

#bipolarawareness #bipocmentalhealth

This does not do justice in capturing the power, the heart, and the fun at @aapaonline Convention 2024 but just a few highlights ✨️ truly a whirlwind event but glad I enjoyed being in the moment with so many wonderful colleagues 🙏 until the next time! #aapa2024convention #aapahomecoming

What an incredible gathering at @aapaonline Convention 2024 of fierce leaders, compelling speakers @debra4apa @crystalbuinews, and inspirational colleagues. While I'm still recovering from all the travel (and socializing bc I am an introvert lol), I left with heart and mind very much full ☺️

It was also uplifting to connect IRL with people whom I'd known only online, and I really appreciated whenever someone came up to say hi or give such kind feedback on the presentations I gave (first time ever at a conference) with the best co-facilitators @dr.christinecatipon @gregorydesiertopsyd Dr. Jeong-Eun Suh.

Wouldn't have been possible without our Convention co-chairs @drteresahsu Dr. Daisuke Akiba and our entire planning committee, which I was immensely proud to be a part of (go Media team Anna Vu and Akanksha Das 🙌) with help from our madame VP @dr.demanarig

Special mentions to my fellowship co-chairs @estrelladojan Dr. Koko Nishi for all of the support and much needed levity that your special rain dance energy showers upon us ✨️

I could go on with the dedications and countless tags to make but all to say, I am glad to have found my way to this organization that supports our community and draws in folks who are such a force in education, practice, advocacy, and social justice. My fourth year doctoral student self who felt so isolated during the pandemic amid anti-Asian hate will forever be grateful 🙏

#aapa2024convention #aapahomecoming

And that's a wrap on our @aapaonline Postdoctoral Leadership Fellowship 🙌 apparently my dedications sound like a breakup speech or feel so terminal 🤣 but seriously can't thank enough @estrelladojan Koko Nishi @drgraceskim @drnadinenakamura for giving us the opportunity to learn, grow, and hold precious space with each other 🙏❤️

truly an invaluable experience to have been able to hear from our leaders in the field and be mentored by such warm and supportive colleagues. and above all, it's something special to freely be our authentic and ultimately human selves together. it's not goodbye but see you later 👋

We know cultural context of one's experiences is important to consider, but how does it inform our mental health challenges? I'll be talking about how I understand my identities while living with bipolar disorder, as well as the unique challenges of bipolar disorder for a person of minority. I will also discuss allyship and breaking down systemic barriers. Thank you @intlbipolar for this opportunity and I'd love to hear your questions from the community! Comment "culture" for registration link.

Posted @withregram • @intlbipolar In this webinar, we will learn how cultural identities and bipolar disorder interact with each other, particularly with respect to race, gender, and disability status.

The registration link is in our bio! 💚

As part of the @aapaonline Postdoctoral Leadership Fellowship Program, I will be presenting my project "Using Social Media as a Leadership and Advocacy Tool" at this year's AAPA Convention in Atlanta, GA. Learn about how my leadership values informed its creation, examples of content engagement, ethical considerations, and future directions.

I am so grateful to @thequeerkoreanpsychologist for this past year of mentorship on this project, especially helping me find my confidence in the face of imposter syndrome. Also can't thank enough Dr. Julie AhnAllen for helping to foster my professional identity in the first year of the fellowship, while I was navigating a lot of inner turmoil during postdoc residency.

Thank you for believing in me and co-fellow Dr. Jeong Eun Suh @drgraceskim @drnadinenakamura and continuing to hold space for us @estrelladojan, Dr. Koko Nishi. Truly felt nourished by the precious time spent together along with our other guest speakers.

You all helped me see what leadership can be in a deeply humanizing way. How we can uplift each other instead of competing or dominating one another. How we can appreciate what makes each of us unique while using our voice to advocate for others, authentically and unapologetically.

Forever proud to be a part of this community 🙏❤️

Another great question was asked from the community about how culture impacts bipolar disorder. I'll speak only from my lived experiences and identities, but I would be curious about how it impacts others.

Cultural values that have remained with me (and still can be sticky) include hard work ethic, emotional restraint, and reliability. These interact with my experiences of bipolar in ways that I am still trying to reconcile. A lot of shame and guilt come with having bipolar (or any mental health challenge, really) as it is, but then that gets compounded with shame and guilt that is pronounced in my cultures as a Korean and Filipina American.

This is just a sampling and has way more nuance than I can fully capture, but I'll be continuing to reflect on the ways in which my identities and cultural upbringing intersect with my mental health. More to come in the following #bipolarbytes!

Comment 💖 below if you learned something new
How does your culture impact your mental health?
What values have been instilled in you that can make self-acceptance hard in the face of mental health challenges?

#bipolarawareness #bipolarstrong #asianmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #destigmatizementalhealth

The next most voted topic for this #bipolarbytes was expanded into examples of challenges living with bipolar disorder. I share what I have experienced from 11 years ago to this day. I also have heard similarly from peers, patients, and colleagues.

These are just a few examples of the challenges, but they are ongoing. In my early years of being diagnosed, I went through a bit of a denial period, not of the diagnosis itself but of its chronic nature. During the times I was euthymic, I would hope that maybe I had my last mood episode. I would wonder if I was even possibly cured of it.

Having bipolar disorder though means I am more sensitive to change, making me more vulnerable to the upswings and downswings. And the only constant in life is change. But I've accepted that bipolar is something I learn to live with, and I will keep learning, doing my best to ride out each new wave that comes my way.

Comment 💖 below if you learned something new.
What have been your challenges with bipolar disorder?
What have you seen as challenges for others?

#bipolarawareness #bipolarstrong #asianmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #destigmatizementalhealth

This next #bipolarbytes was also top voted in a recent community poll on what you all would like to learn more about bipolar disorder. It can feel hard to know what to say to someone who is struggling with their mental health. I've been asked about this in panels and webinars too by loved ones like parents and friends, as well as teachers and faculty.

These are just a few examples, but one of the main takeaways is to try, rather than staying silent or hesitating out of worry you would offend or stumble. You also very well may misstep and it may feel awkward because you haven't been used to doing it. It's about going forward anyway and getting feedback from that person suffering.

11 years ago, I didn't have the language or understanding as I do now to be able to articulate all of that. And I am still learning. But it's been meaningful and assuring when I am asked about how hypomania looks like for me and what would be helpful in times when depression falls. I also know I haven't been the easiest to be around when in these episodes, hurtful in fact.

So if someone doesn't have the answer or continues to shut down in the face of your offerings, even reject them, I would imagine the gesture is still felt. Just as it's brave to ask for help, it is also brave of loved ones to take risks with their hearts in extending that help. I know I remain grateful to those who have stayed steadfast, patient, and understanding in the face of what bipolar can bring me to do while knowing it is my responsibility to work on.

Comment 💖 below if you learned something new.
What has been helpful for you to hear from a loved one? What has not been helpful?

#bipolarawareness #bipolarstrong #asianmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #destigmatizementalhealth

Recently I took a poll on what the community would like to learn more about #bipolardisorder, and y'all made yourselves heard! Kicking off with the most voted response, I will be sharing next about my consequences in the past from hypomania. It's all fun and exhilarating until it starts seriously impacting others and leaves me with a mess in its wake on a social, financial, legal, and professional level.

Want to know more about what hypomania can look like? I talk about my tell-tale signs in the first #bipolarbytes post if you haven't already started there.

This will be an ongoing learning series that I would love to continue having feedback from you all on. I have shared about my lived experiences with bipolar II before, but I will also be drawing upon my clinical training experiences, ongoing research evidence, and other peer voices in "bite-sized" accessible ways.

A few of you asked about topics I haven't touched on before, so I'm excited to delve into those and see what else the community has to share.

Comment 💖 if you learned something new from this post 🙏
What have been your consequences of (hypo)mania?
What have you seen in loved ones, patients, and clients?

#bipolarawareness #bipolarstrong #asianmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #destigmatizementalhealth

July is #MinorityMentalHealthAwareness Month. I will be sharing what I have learned about the intersection of culture and mental health - drawing from my clinical practice, consultations with colleagues, and my lived experiences with bipolar II disorder as an Asian American cis woman.

The fourth of this series discusses the challenges I try to navigate from cultural double binds with my intersectional identities as a multiethnic Asian American woman with bipolar disorder.

What are your intersectional identities?
How do you reconcile different cultural messages?

#minoritymentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #bipocmentalhealthawareness

July is #MinorityMentalHealthAwareness Month or #BIPOCMentalHealth Awareness Month. I will be sharing what I have learned about the intersection of culture and mental health in my clinical practice, consultations with colleagues, and my lived experiences with bipolar II disorder as an Asian American woman.

The first of this series discusses what is decolonized therapy, how can it be practiced, and how it can further support clients who are marginalized.

What else would you add about this approach to therapy?
What would feel most helpful to you in therapy as a client?

#minoritymentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #bipocmentalhealthawareness

Spring has passed and summer is here. I think I'm out of the woods with rapid cycling, but I still remain tentative.

As it goes after any hypomanic episode I've had, I feel self-conscious, which the elevation wards off and makes me shameless even. Most of all, I am suspicious again of my positive mood states.

Is it hypomania? Or is it just me being happy?

I used to question more, when does the bipolar end and when do I begin. What is my personality, my personal growth and what are symptoms?

But I know hypomania is more than a feeling. These are reminders of my tells, my signs that it's not simply me being happy, delighted, or even elated.

In and of themselves, they may be benign and harmless. But that is where the subtlety lies. Together, they make for thundering force that still leaves an aftermath in its wake.

What are your signs when it's hypomania?
What are your consequences of an episode?
How do you tell it in others?

#bipolarbytes #bipolarawareness #bipolarstrong #asianmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters

Posted @withregram • @psichihonor Register for FREE Psi Chi and DBSA webinar led by @dbsalliance Associate Board President Dr. Lauren Yang.

As past DBSA Young Adult Council Vice Chair, Dr. Lauren has drawn upon her 11 years of lived experiences with bipolar disorder to support peers with mood disorders.

She is a licensed clinical psychologist who has contributed to articles, podcasts, and panels on emotional wellness as a graduate student, therapist, and Asian American young adult.

🗓️ June 24 from 4:00–5:15 p.m. EST. Register using the link in our bio or on our website.

--

Registration link in my bio.

#mentalhealthmatters #collegementalhealth #asianmentalhealth #bipolarawareness #bipolarstrong

Join me in this free webinar on mental health for college students, organized by @dbsalliance in collaboration with @psichihonor 👋 I will discuss how to identify signs for early intervention, access campus and community resources, and use self-advocacy in the face of challenges unique to young adults.

Virtually
Monday June 24, 2024
1:00-2:15 pm PDT
4:00-5:15 pm EDT

Registration link in bio.

#collegementalhealth #mentalhealthmatters

I felt compelled to share about this because I feel like it's not well known or understood (as with much things about bipolar disorder) but even within the mental health and peer advocate community. I also want to reinforce for myself how critical it is to take actual time and prioritize my health. Practicing what I preach, right?

What is rapid cycling?* What caused it for me? How did I manage it? I answer these questions and reflect on a few lessons learned. Even though I know the consequences, I still find myself giving in to the addictiveness of hypomania. I am still learning.

*Edit: I forgot to add a year (or 12-month period) for the time frame of # mood episodes

If you have bipolar disorder, have you experienced rapid cycling? What has it been like for you?

For others, what else would you like to know about rapid cycling and bipolar disorder?

#bipolardisorder #bipolarawareness #bipolarstrong #asianmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters

My episode "Owning Mulitcultural Identities and Finding Community with AAPA" on the People of Color in Psychology podcast is now live! I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with host Dr. Jack Tsan of The Multicultural Counseling Institute as part of their AAPI Heritage Series.

We discuss my professional journey in becoming a psychologist, challenges I have faced as a Person of Color in psychology, and what being an Asian American psychologist means to me. I also share my role and experiences in the Asian American Psychological Association @aapaonline, where I have been learning how to own my multicultural identities and finding community.

You can listen to People of Color in Psychology on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Link is in bio.

The Multicultural Counseling Institute is committed to promoting pathways for mental health providers who are people of color and leading the national conversation in culturally-responsive mental health care and training. Learn more about them at tmcinstitute.org. Follow them on LinkedIn.

#aapiheritagemonth #aanhpiheritagemonth2024 #asianmentalhealth #bipocmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #peopleofcolor #psychologistsofcolor

In honor of #AANHPIHeritageMonth and #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, I will be sharing what I have learned in my own mental health journey.

When I had my first hypomanic episode, I didn't have the emotional literacy to explain my bipolar symptoms and what kind of support would be helpful to me.

I also wrestled with internalized messages that I "should" be able to handle this on my own, not burden my friends and family.

While I was quick to lean on professional help for my mental health, I can't deny I needed my personal community, but I didn't know how to tap into it.

In all honesty, I think I have been afraid to even try. Disclosing my diagnosis publicly hasn't been the hardest part. It's been taking risks personally with loved ones.

Therapy and medications can be key interventions but alone are not sufficient. We heal in community.

Comment 🤎 below if you resonate with these too. What other challenges have you faced in seeking support from your community?

***

If you want to hear more, listen to @livewellbipolar podcast episode 200 in which I share my takeaways living with bipolar disorder as a clinical psychologist. @paris.scobie is the amazing host who gave me space to talk this out further. Link is in bio.

DM "bipolar" if you'd like more of my resources

Many thanks to @jupitrr.ai for the audiograms

#aapiheritagemonth #aanhpiheritagemonth2024 #asianmentalhealth #bipocmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #bipolarawareness #livewellbipolar #bipolarstrong

In honor of #AANHPIHeritageMonth and #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, I will be sharing what I have learned in support of our community.

AANHPI are among the least likely racial group to seek mental health services, but how else can the community be supported on a societal level? Part 5 of this series focuses on key unmet community needs that can be better addressed for AANHPI wellness.

Special mentions in this post include:
@anisehealth
@asianmentalhealthproject
@asianmentalhealthcollective
@asianyouthcenterorg
@selfhelpelderly
@erasingshame
@apa_org
@aapaonline
@psychologistsofcolor

Comment 💚 below if you resonate with these too. What other key community needs should be better met to you?

#aapiheritagemonth #aanhpiheritagemonth2024 #asianmentalhealth #bipocmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters

In honor of #AANHPIHeritageMonth and #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, I will be sharing what I have learned in support of our community.

AANHPI cultural values are not uniformly held across the diaspora, but themes have been identified among them such as humility, collectivism, and emotional self-control. Part 3 of this series focuses on uncommon cultural values that can be reclaimed for AANHPI wellness.

Special mentions in this post include:
@thenapministry
@playfulleader
@celebrateasianjoy
@rizatakahashi

Comment ⭐️ below if you resonate with these too. What other cultural factors are relevant for you?

#aapiheritagemonth #aanhpiheritagemonth2024 #asianmentalhealth #bipocmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters

In honor of #AANHPIMentalHealthDay, I will be sharing what I have learned in support of our community.

Cultural values are woven into our ways of being. But being casted as a model minority while holding intergenerational trauma has warped those values, such that they have been costly to our mental health. Part 3 of this series focuses on traditional cultural values that can be redefined for AANHPI wellness.

Comment 🤝 below if you would redefine these values too. How would they look for you?

#aapiheritagemonth #aanhpiheritagemonth2024 #asianmentalhealth #bipocmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters

In honor of #AANHPIHeritageMonth and #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, I will be sharing what I have learned in support of our community.

AANHPI have endured much over the years as a marginalized group that contribute to unique challenges. Part 2 of this series focuses on cultural factors of barriers to accessing mental health help for the AANHPI community.

Thank you to @aapidata and @uclachpr for their Feb 2024 report "Piecing the Puzzle of AANHPI Mental Health" that illuminates some of these.

Comment 🚩 below if you resonate with these too. What other cultural factors are relevant for you?

#aapiheritagemonth #aanhpiheritagemonth2024 #asianmentalhealth #bipocmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow me on Instagram

@dr.laurenyang

Media

Writing & Contributions

September 2022. Written by Robin Flanigan. “Your Dream Team.” [Article]. BP Hope Magazine. Fall 2022. Excerpt retrieved from https://www.bphope.com/your-playbook-for-recruiting-a-bipolar-care-team/.

October 2021. “12 FAQs about Medication and Mood Disorders.” [Blog Post]. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Retrieved from https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/newsletters/young-adult-council-12-faq-about-medication-and-mood-disorders/

August 2020. “Recognizing early signs of a mood disorder.” [Blog Post]. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Retrieved from https://www.dbsalliance.org/about/young-adult-council/recognizing-the-early-signs-of-a-mood-disorder/.

January 2019. “Becoming a psychologist with bipolar II disorder.” [Blog Post]. International Bipolar Foundation. Retrieved from https://ibpf.org/becoming-a-psychologist-with-bipolar-ii-disorder/.

Guest Podcasting

May 2024. "AAPI Heritage Series: Owning Multicultural Identities and Finding Community with AAPA." People of Color in Psychology. Host: Jack Tsan, PhD | The Multicultural Counseling Institute. Retrieved from

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1B7ZizMSgadEi6iFbS3hsa?si=8dd4e34ae2b34d8a.

April 2024. "A Clinical Psychologist's Takeaways Living With Bipolar." Live Well Bipolar. Host: Paris Scobie. Retrieved from

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4kE3ffRauKzNrP3qX1sMk5?si=vNIzLGJwRqmgGO-kA42E1A.

July 2023. "Navigating Bipolar Disorder in Higher Education." Grad School Femtoring. Host: Yvette Martinez-Vu, Ph.D. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/jD6P1wQ4qdE.

November 2022. “Dr. Lauren Yang – Clinician, Advocate, & Living with Bipolar Disorder.” Psych Explained. Host: Dr. Jack Chuang. Retrieved from https://open.spotify.com/episode/3mn2uBGEtFn1cOoVfFosr4?si=9885b64a8df340d7.

October 2021. “I’m Living Proof: Live at the Leadership Summit.” Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Retrieved from https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ghi3a8MDayTyeztTuHakq?si=UR8nn7dMQBChgfOnovLm3w&utm.

June 2021. “I’m Living Proof: Bipolar Does Not Define Me.” Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Retrieved from https://open.spotify.com/episode/2aHjEjqHd0LzRthmSnlM3J?si=GapjCAnqTaygcvjU_4Ei5g&utm.

August 2020. “Recognizing early signs of a mood disorder.” Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Retrieved from https://player.captivate.fm/episode/441be7a4-4a0f-4b58-81c3-e708d31e4d6a.

November 2019. “Navigating budgets and insurance while living with a mood disorder.” Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Retrieved from https://soundcloud.com/dbsalliance/young-adult-council-navigating-budgets-and-insurance-while-living-with-a-mood-disorder.

​

Follow me on Instagram

Media