When Friends Wish Mania Would Return
02/17/25 • 43 min
Have you ever heard someone say they miss the “old you” — the life of the party, the one who could stay out all night and keep everyone entertained? For people with bipolar disorder, those “good old days” were often fueled by mania, bringing hidden chaos, risk, and pain. In this candid episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist, dive into why some friends and family romanticize manic episodes, ignoring the struggles beneath the surface.
They unpack the emotional toll of hearing, “You used to be so much fun,” and explore how to set boundaries, educate others, and navigate feelings of nostalgia. Whether you're managing bipolar disorder or supporting someone, this episode offers invaluable insights into maintaining stability while addressing the pressures of the past. Tune in to uncover the truth behind the “good old days” and why the “new you” deserves to be celebrated.
Cold Open Transcript:
Gabe: If somebody's like, I miss the good old days. I miss your mania. I miss how you used to be.
Dr. Nicole: Yes.
Gabe: You know, obviously I'm going to cut you off, you ignorant fool, is something you can say back.
Dr. Nicole: [Laughter] Not if you want them in your life. I mean, if you're ready to cut it off, say what you need to say and walk away, in very dramatic fashion. But if this is a relationship that you want to salvage, I think then you have to be willing to put up a little bit of vulnerability, as hard as that may be.
To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.
Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and TikTok at @askabipolar.
Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Have you ever heard someone say they miss the “old you” — the life of the party, the one who could stay out all night and keep everyone entertained? For people with bipolar disorder, those “good old days” were often fueled by mania, bringing hidden chaos, risk, and pain. In this candid episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist, dive into why some friends and family romanticize manic episodes, ignoring the struggles beneath the surface.
They unpack the emotional toll of hearing, “You used to be so much fun,” and explore how to set boundaries, educate others, and navigate feelings of nostalgia. Whether you're managing bipolar disorder or supporting someone, this episode offers invaluable insights into maintaining stability while addressing the pressures of the past. Tune in to uncover the truth behind the “good old days” and why the “new you” deserves to be celebrated.
Cold Open Transcript:
Gabe: If somebody's like, I miss the good old days. I miss your mania. I miss how you used to be.
Dr. Nicole: Yes.
Gabe: You know, obviously I'm going to cut you off, you ignorant fool, is something you can say back.
Dr. Nicole: [Laughter] Not if you want them in your life. I mean, if you're ready to cut it off, say what you need to say and walk away, in very dramatic fashion. But if this is a relationship that you want to salvage, I think then you have to be willing to put up a little bit of vulnerability, as hard as that may be.
To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.
Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and TikTok at @askabipolar.
Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Previous Episode
How to Talk with Your Psychiatrist: Bridging the Communication Gap
Does your psychiatrist really understand what you're going through? Navigating conversations with your psychiatrist and other professionals helping you manage your mental health can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! In this episode, Gabe Howard and Dr. Nicole Washington tackle the communication disconnect between patients and mental health professionals. Learn why vague terms like "nervous breakdown" can hinder your treatment and how to provide the specific details your doctor needs to help you effectively.
They discuss the importance of sharing family mental health history, breaking down symptoms, and offering clear examples — even if you don’t know clinical terms. Packed with practical advice, this conversation will empower you to self-advocate, build stronger doctor-patient relationships, and get the care you deserve. Whether you're living with bipolar disorder or another mental health condition, this episode is an essential guide to speaking the same language as your healthcare professionals. Tune in and take the first step toward a stronger partnership with your psychiatrist and clearer, more effective communication!
Cold Open Transcript:
Gabe: Although I imagine from your vantage point, Dr. Nicole not annoying your psychiatrist is probably a pretty damn good reason. [Laughter]
Dr. Nicole: [Laughter] I mean, annoy is a strong word. I don't know if it annoys me.
Gabe: Fair.
Dr. Nicole: I don't know that I'm annoyed when people come in not knowing these things or not being able to communicate these things. It just lets me know that I have a lot of work to do, that I have to be the one to do that education that was missed somewhere along the way.
To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please see the official episode page.
Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.
To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and TikTok at @askabipolar.
Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Next Episode
ADHD and Bipolar: Untangling the Overlap
ADHD and bipolar disorder often share symptoms, but are they truly co-occurring conditions or just two sides of the same coin? Join Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and psychiatrist Dr. Nicole Washington as they tackle one of the most perplexing topics in mental health. They dive into how these diagnoses overlap, how doctors differentiate between them, and why ADHD might sometimes be over diagnosed.
Discover the challenges of treating ADHD in someone with bipolar disorder and why the right diagnosis matters for effective treatment. With engaging analogies and personal insights, this episode explores the fine line between labeling symptoms and focusing on wellness. If you or a loved one are navigating ADHD, bipolar disorder, or both, this is a must-listen conversation.
Cold Open Transcript:
Gabe: Hey, you're saying that I have bipolar disorder, but couldn't this just be ADHD or ADHD symptoms? You're saying that I have mania, but isn't that just hyperactivity? You're saying that I'm having racing thoughts, but isn't that just lack of ability to focus?
Dr. Nicole: Yeah, yeah.
Gabe: And they’re like, well, wait a minute. I just have ADHD. What’s this bipolar stuff that’s coming up?
Dr. Nicole: It is possible that those symptoms that look like ADHD could be untreated mood symptoms.
To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.
Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.
To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and TikTok at @askabipolar.
Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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