Self-Compassion & Bipolar Disorder

Psychologist Dr. Thomas Richardson, and author and mental health advocate Cara Lisette speak on how to help maintain self-compassion, discuss perfectionism in bipolar disorder, and answer your questions drawing on their clinical and lived experiences.

Hosted by Dr. Emma Morton.

Dr. Thomas Richardson is a Clinical Psychologist working as an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology within the School of Psychology, University of Southampton. Thomas leads teaching about CBT for Bipolar Disorder on the CPT diploma and is actively involved in various research projects around Bipolar Disorder. Prior to this he worked for 8 years as a clinical psychologist in a community mental health team for adults within the UK National Health Service. He did his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Southampton, qualifying in 2013. His doctorate thesis looked at if tuition fees increases impacted on student mental health, which led to his ongoing study of finances and mental health. Dr. Richardson also has lived experience of bipolar disorder.

Cara Lisette is a mental health advocate, author and therapist. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder aged 25 and since then has been actively campaigning to reduce stigma around the illness and raise awareness of signs and symptoms to look out for. She runs a successful blog (www.caras-corner.com) about her experiences with mental illness, and is also active on Twitter (@caralisette) and Instagram (@caralisette), where she shares more about her journey and about mental health in general. She has recently written a self help book for people with bipolar disorder which is due out in June 2023, after her self help book for people with eating disorders became a best-seller. She hopes that her knowledge as both a therapist and somebody with lived experience have come together to create a resource that will help people to understand themselves and their illness better.

Resources

• The Lure of Mania: Achievement & Bipolar Disorder (Video) – TEDx Talks
• The Study of Self-Compassion (Information) – self-compassion.org
• Importance of Self-Esteem (Information) – bdwellness.com/self-esteem
• Building Self-Compassion (Workbook) – Centre for Clinical Interventions
• Cara’s Corner (Bipolar Disorder/Mental Health Blog) – caras-corner.com
• Mindfulness Exercises
  • Safe Space Imagery (Video) – youtu.be/r4lw3zjjL-g
  • Loving Kindness (Video) – youtu.be/YSNNKYZLX54
  • Compassionate Image of Smell (Video) – youtu.be/yPVzxQqadHI

Reactions

Both speakers were well educated. Since they both have lived experience with Bipolar Disorder – for me it added to their credibility of suggestions for practicing self-compassion while living with the illness.

I like that you have professionals such as Thomas Richardson sharing personally about BD and professionally. I was diagnosed 40 years ago and I did not meet anyone who had BD and was treating people with BD. It is so helpful for everyone.

I liked that both of the speakers have personal experience of bipolar disorder. I also liked the resources and the website and the topics that have been covered recently.