News and Media

Elle McCoy is the name. Bipolar awareness is my aim. I hail from a town in Louisiana small enough to only contain six red-lights, but big enough to house a Super Walmart (a girl is allowed some bragging rights). Our three, town commodities are corn, cotton and catfish – alliterations were all the rage growing up. To this day, the pronunciation of “wasp” is an inconceivable feat; it ends up sounding more like “wawst”. This should give the readers some indication of how detestable my Southern drawl is.

 This is Me

I’m taking a page out of the bp Magazine for this month’s article. I don’t know how many of you are familiar with this publication or if you personally receive it. I have a subscription and when I get mine in the mail, I read it from cover to cover.

One of the sections is the “This is Me” page. It usually portrays someone with Bipolar Disorder and has him or her answer a series of statements. So, I thought, I’d do the same here to give you more background about me.

 Would You Choose to Opt Out of Bipolar Disorder?

I’m writing a book about my life. In my research I watched a documentary called The Stephen Fry Story – The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive (Click here for Part 1 (1 hr) and Part 2 (1 hr)). It’s a fascinating portrait of BPD. It can help those of us who have it not feel so alone, and the people who love us understand us more.

 Can There Be Differences In The Personality Traits Of Bipolar Sufferers?

I was diagnosed Bipolar II in 2008, though looking back I now know I suffered from it since childhood. It was difficult starting treatment, my wife was the only one on board with it, the rest of my family was not supportive, most denied the disorder even existed, some to this day. Things got worse before they got better. I went through the various trials of medication treatments, the associated side effects and trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t, changing health plans frequently, and therefore doctors, did not help matters.

March Webinar with Dr. Willem Nolen

'Lithium: Still a Cornerstone in the Long-term Treatment of Bipolar Disorder When Used Properly'

Join us for a Webinar on March 13, 2013 at 9:00 am PST.

Space is limited, reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/393050590

  Friends-A Bipolar Perspective

Although I put family and my beloved spouse in a different place, I was just thinking of all my varied friendships so I thought I would comment on them and show how a bipolar lifestyle works in:

Getting Past the “Put it Offs” and Back to Living

 Pregnancy and Mental Illness