The Best Bipolar Disorder Videos of 2017

Back in 2017, before short-form clips completely took over our feeds, a powerful wave of
bipolar disorder videos quietly changed how people talked about mental health. These weren’t
just dramatic movie scenes or “inspirational” quotes floating over sunsets. They were real
people, respected clinicians, and smart animators doing something surprisingly radical:
explaining bipolar disorder honestly, in a way you could actually understand.

Whether you’re living with bipolar disorder, supporting someone who is, or just trying to
separate facts from stereotypes, the best bipolar disorder videos of 2017 still hold up
today. They combine science, storytelling, and a little bit of humor to make a complex
condition feel less mysterious and less isolating.

Before we dive in, a quick note: nothing here is medical advice. These videos are amazing
tools for learning and feeling understood, but they don’t replace talking with a qualified
mental health professional if you’re struggling or think you might have bipolar disorder.

Why Bipolar Disorder Videos Mattered So Much in 2017

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that causes intense swings between periods of elevated or
irritable mood (mania or hypomania) and periods of depression. These shifts go far beyond
everyday ups and downs and can seriously affect sleep, energy, judgment, and the ability to
think clearly. In the United States, an estimated few percent of adults live with bipolar
disorder at some point in their lives, making it both relatively common and frequently
misunderstood.

Around 2017, major health organizations and creators were increasingly using video to correct
myths, highlight real experiences, and make clinical information easier to grasp. Instead of
just reading about symptoms in a brochure, viewers could see a pro skateboarder talk about
surviving undiagnosed bipolar disorder, or hear a therapist calmly walk through diagnostic
criteria, or watch an animated brain light up while a narrator explains what mania can feel
like.

The result? Videos that didn’t just “raise awareness,” but actually helped people recognize
signs, feel less alone, and start conversations with family members, partners, and doctors.

How These “Best Bipolar Disorder Videos of 2017” Were Chosen

The original 2017 roundup highlighted videos that educated, inspired, and empowered viewers.
To revisit that list today, we looked at three big questions:

• Is the information accurate? Does it reflect what major mental health organizations say about bipolar disorder, its symptoms, and treatment?
• Is it respectful and destigmatizing? Does it treat bipolar disorder as a real medical condition, not a punchline or a personality quirk?
• Is it truly helpful? Does it offer practical insight, emotional validation, or both?

The standout videos of 2017 came from a mix of trusted health publishers, clinicians,
nonprofits, and creators with lived experience. Together, they gave a fuller picture of what
bipolar disorder actually is and what it isn’t.

Real-Life Stories That Put a Face to Bipolar Disorder

One of the most powerful things video can do is let you hear directly from people who live
with bipolar disorder every day. In 2017, several personal stories stood out for their honesty
and impact.

Pro Skateboarder Billy Rohan on Survival and Stability

In a documentary-style video, professional skateboarder Billy Rohan talks about what life
looked like before he knew he had bipolar disorder: substance use, unstable housing, and a
constant sense that something was wrong but unnamed. When he finally received a diagnosis and
support, skateboarding and friendships became part of how he rebuilt his life.

Videos like this are invaluable for people who suspect there’s more going on than “just mood
swings.” Seeing someone successful and creative openly discuss diagnosis, treatment, and
recovery makes it easier to imagine a future that isn’t defined only by symptoms.

Shannon Taylor’s Raw Vlogs About Living with Bipolar Disorder

Musician and YouTube creator Shannon Taylor shared videos that went far beyond neat clinical
labels. She described how mania for her wasn’t always euphoric; sometimes it showed up as
explosive anger and intense frustration. She also talked about stigma, not being believed, and
the exhaustion of constantly having to justify her reality to others.

These types of first-person videos are especially helpful because they highlight how bipolar
disorder can look different from person to person. Viewers see that “typical” portrayals of
mania non-stop euphoria and wild spending are only part of the story.

Demi Lovato and Other Public Figures Speaking Out

Celebrity disclosures don’t fix everything, but they do move the conversation forward. In
2017, singer Demi Lovato continued speaking publicly about managing bipolar disorder and her
work with advocacy organizations. Her interviews and campaign videos emphasized that
treatment, support, and a meaningful life are all possible.

For many viewers, seeing a well-known performer talk openly about therapy, medication, and
relapse made it feel more acceptable to seek help themselves or to be more supportive when a
loved one did.

Animated and Short Explainer Videos That Break Down the Science

Not everyone wants to read a long article about brain chemistry. That’s where animated
explainers and short news clips really shine: they offer a quick, visually engaging overview
of bipolar disorder without dumbing it down.

TED-Ed’s “What Is Bipolar Disorder?”

One of the most notable videos from 2017 was a TED-Ed animation that walked viewers through
the basics of bipolar I and bipolar II disorder. In just a few minutes, it covered core
symptoms, possible causes, and standard treatments like mood stabilizing medications and
psychotherapy, all with clear visuals and plain-language narration.

For teachers, students, or anyone new to the topic, videos like this act as Bipolar 101: a
starting point that makes later conversations with clinicians or loved ones easier to have.

News Clips on Bipolar Disorder and the Brain

Major news outlets also produced short segments in 2017 explaining how bipolar disorder
affects the brain, using simple models and graphics to show where mood regulation can go off
track. These pieces reinforced what many medical organizations emphasize: bipolar disorder is
a medical condition involving brain and body, not a character flaw or a failure of willpower.

Science-Focused Videos Exploring Research and Types

Science channels and health-focused creators highlighted topics like cyclothymic disorder,
emerging brain research, and why bipolar disorder sometimes shows up alongside creativity.
While not all speculation is backed by strong evidence, the better videos made clear
distinctions between established facts and early-stage research, which is exactly what viewers
need when trying to make sense of online information.

Funny, Thoughtful Videos That Tackle Stigma

Humor can either be incredibly healing or deeply hurtful when it comes to mental health.
Several standout videos in 2017 landed on the right side of that line by using comedy to
dismantle stereotypes instead of reinforcing them.

“Things Not to Say to Someone with Bipolar Disorder”

A popular video format that year featured people with bipolar disorder responding to comments
they hear all the time: “Have you taken your meds today?”, “Aren’t we all a little bipolar?”,
or “You don’t look sick.” The reactions were funny, but never mean-spirited; they made viewers
laugh and wince at the same time.

These videos worked because they served as a script-flip. Instead of people with bipolar
disorder being the punchline, the punchline became the ignorant assumptions themselves
giving allies a clear list of phrases to retire for good.

“I’m Bipolar, But I’m Not…”

Another memorable video structure invited participants to complete the sentence “I’m bipolar,
but I’m not…” in their own words. Responses highlighted careers, talents, identities, and
quirks that had nothing to do with their diagnosis. The message was simple and powerful:
bipolar disorder is part of a person’s life, not their entire definition.

Comedy and Storytelling from Victoria Maxwell

Actor and mental health educator Victoria Maxwell used theatrical storytelling and humor to
describe her experiences with bipolar disorder and the long process of finding the right
treatment plan. Her work showed that you can talk about hospitalizations, medication trials,
and stigma in ways that are honest and even funny, without making light of the condition
itself.

Deep-Dive Educational Videos and Lectures

For viewers who wanted to go far beyond basics, 2017 offered several long-form educational
videos that felt more like a mini course than a quick clip.

Royal College & Other Animated Educational Series

Animated videos from professional organizations walked through the different types of bipolar
disorder, what a manic or depressive episode can look like, and how treatment plans are put
together. They emphasized mood management skills, therapy, medication, and the importance of
long-term follow-up all key points echoed by major medical centers and mental health
nonprofits.

Big Think and Expert Interviews

In one widely shared expert video, a psychiatrist compared bipolar disorder to having “two
serious illnesses at once” depression and mania and explained how each can be treated and
monitored. She also stressed that having bipolar disorder is not a choice and that compassion,
boundaries, and support can make a real difference in outcomes.

Dr. Patrick McKeon’s Lecture on “What It Is and What to Do”

For anyone ready for an in-depth, hour-long learning session, an extended lecture by Dr.
Patrick McKeon covered diagnostic challenges, common patterns of episodes, treatment options,
and strategies for staying well over the long term. It echoed what many leading clinics say:
bipolar disorder is usually a lifelong condition, but with the right combination of care,
people can build stable, meaningful lives.

Short Profiles and Series from Nonprofits

Mental health nonprofits and advocacy groups also produced short video series that followed
real people living with bipolar disorder. A one-minute profile of an older woman named Clara,
for example, showed her daily life and reinforced a crucial message: stability in later life
is possible, even after years of struggling before diagnosis.

Videos for the Newly Diagnosed and Their Families

One of the most practical categories of videos in 2017 focused on “what now?” the moment
after someone hears “you have bipolar disorder” and is unsure what that means for the rest of
their life.

In one standout video, a blogger partnered with a bipolar-focused nonprofit to offer guidance
to people who were newly diagnosed. She talked about:

• Finding a psychiatrist or other qualified mental health professional.
• Learning how medications work, and why adjustments take time.
• Tracking mood, sleep, and energy to spot patterns and triggers.
• Building a supportive routine hobbies, social connections, and self-care.

For family members and partners, these videos were often a lifeline. Hearing someone calmly
explain what helps and what doesn’t (“Please don’t call me ‘crazy,’ even as a joke”) gave
loved ones something concrete to work with instead of just fear or confusion.

How to Use These 2017 Bipolar Disorder Videos Today

Even though these videos were highlighted in 2017, they remain useful today as part of a
broader mental health toolkit. Here are a few ways to make the most of them:

• As conversation starters. Watching a video together can make it easier to talk with a partner, friend, or parent about symptoms, worries, or next steps.
• As educational supplements. Therapists, teachers, and peer support group leaders can use these videos to illustrate concepts that might be hard to grasp through text alone.
• As validation. Personal stories can help you realize you’re not the only one dealing with certain experiences, which can reduce shame and isolation.
• As myth-busters. Stigma-busting videos are ideal for people who still think bipolar disorder is just “moodiness” or “drama.”

Of course, online video should complement, not replace, professional care. If you or someone
you love is experiencing drastic mood shifts, changes in sleep, energy, or behavior, or having
thoughts of self-harm, it’s important to seek immediate help from a qualified clinician or
crisis service in your area.

Experiences and Takeaways: What These Videos Mean in Real Life (Extra Reflections)

To understand why the best bipolar disorder videos of 2017 still matter, it helps to look at
the kinds of experiences people often describe after watching them.

Imagine someone who has always been told they’re “too much” too energetic, too emotional,
too intense but also has seasons of exhaustion and emptiness that don’t match what’s going
on in their life. When they stumble across a personal story video from that 2017 list, they
may suddenly recognize themselves in the descriptions of manic or hypomanic episodes, or in
the way depression can feel like moving through cement. That moment of recognition isn’t a
diagnosis, but it can be the first step toward seeking one.

In another household, a parent might watch an animated explainer about bipolar disorder after
their teenager starts having extreme mood swings, risky behavior, and long stretches of
sadness. The video can help them distinguish between “typical teenage moods” and something
more serious that needs professional attention. Instead of just arguing about behavior, they
now have language to talk about symptoms and a better sense of why a comprehensive evaluation
is important.

Partners and spouses often describe a different kind of experience. For them, stigma-busting
and humor-based videos can be a relief. It’s not easy to support someone with bipolar
disorder through medication changes, hospitalizations, or major life disruptions. Seeing other
couples talk openly about boundaries, communication, and what it means to love someone with a
mood disorder offers both realism and hope. It shows that frustration, fear, and love can all
coexist and that asking for support as a caregiver doesn’t make you selfish.

Peer support groups and clinicians also make good use of these videos. A therapist might play
a short clip about mania during group therapy and then ask people: “What resonates with you?
What doesn’t?” That simple exercise can spark rich discussions about how symptoms differ from
person to person, and why comparison (“I’m not as ‘bad’ as they are, so I must be fine”) can
be misleading and dangerous.

People who already have a diagnosis sometimes turn to these videos during particularly hard
seasons for example, after a hospitalization, during a medication adjustment, or when
they’re struggling with shame about needing ongoing treatment. In those moments, watching
someone else talk about relapse, recovery, and the long, uneven path toward stability can be
more grounding than any inspirational quote on social media.

It’s also worth noting how these videos impact people who don’t live with bipolar disorder at
all. Many come away with a far more nuanced understanding of the condition: that mania isn’t
always fun, that depression in bipolar disorder can be severe and dangerous, and that treatment
is often a long-term process of fine-tuning rather than a quick fix. That understanding can
change how they talk about mood, how they respond to friends who are struggling, and even how
they vote or advocate for mental health resources in their communities.

Finally, revisiting the best bipolar disorder videos from 2017 reminds us of something simple
but powerful: the stories we tell publicly about mental health shape what people feel safe
saying privately. When high-quality, compassionate, accurate videos are easy to find, it
becomes easier for someone to say, “I think this might be me,” or “I think this might be my
child,” and then reach out for help. That’s what makes these videos more than just a playlist
they’re starting points for real-life change.

Conclusion: Press Play on Understanding

The best bipolar disorder videos of 2017 still stand out because they hit a rare sweet spot:
emotionally honest, medically informed, and genuinely helpful. They offer snapshots of real
lives, clear explanations of complex topics, and gentle but firm challenges to the stigma that
still surrounds bipolar disorder.

If you’re ready to learn, support, or simply understand bipolar disorder more deeply, these
videos are a great place to start. Watch them with curiosity, compassion, and the reminder
that no one is defined only by their diagnosis on or off the screen.