Hello, my name is Clément Baissat, founder of HopeStage. In this article, I am going to share my journey with bipolarity, an experience that has had a profound impact on my life. My bipolarity testimony is a story of challenges, discoveries, and hope.
I had my first depression at the age of nineteen. At the time, I didn't really understand what was going on. I had isolated myself at home, surrounded by food, and started using some cannabis. The anxiety was so severe that I could not leave the house. I didn't even respond to messages or calls from my friends.
After a few days of isolation, my friends, worried about having no news, contacted my family. They finally had to call the fire department, who threatened to force open the door if I didn't open it. It was a difficult time because I didn't even know what depression really was.
Over the next ten years, I had my ups and downs. In 2019, a key event changed my life. I was able to identify a hypomanic phase, after consulting several psychiatrists without getting a clear diagnosis.
This hypomanic phase started after a depressive period. I got a new job and started having great ideas, thinking I was above average. I even started a crazy project called Sea Hub, where I bought fresh fish in Brittany to sell in Paris.
During this period, my self-confidence was at its peak. I was successful in my work, signing big contracts and achieving significant sales figures. However, I also had a distorted view of my situation, thinking that the company I was working for was not up to the job.
I made the decision to get fired in order to be able to receive redundancy benefits. This led to a series of disastrous events, including a party in Tokyo where I drank a lot of alcohol and slept very little. This cocktail intensified my hypomanic phase.
.jpeg)
After this euphoric period, I experienced a sudden fall. The depression occurred during the lockdown in 2020, marked by the bankruptcy of my business. I had to lay off all my employees, which was extremely difficult for me.
It was then, during a walk in the Jardin des Plantes, that I read an article on bipolarity. It made me think and ask myself questions about my own mental health. I then called my mother to tell her about my discovery.
My mom told me that our family had a history of bipolarity, but that it was a taboo subject that she didn't want to talk about. It was an eye-opening moment for me. I then consulted two psychiatrists who confirmed my diagnosis of bipolarity.
Accepting this diagnosis took time. I had to deal with my fears and prejudices about taking medication and psychotherapy. However, it also opened my eyes to the importance of taking care of my mental health.
.jpeg)
Realizing that I needed help, I understood the importance of helping others. That's how the idea of creating Ops Stage was born, a platform to support bipolar people on their journey to recovery.
Since the beginning of 2022, Ops Stage has been helping thousands of people every day to live better with their bipolarity. My bipolarity testimony is a call for solidarity and for the understanding of this complex condition.
My journey with bipolarity was full of challenges, but it also allowed me to grow and find my way. I am committed to continuing to help others and to sharing my experience to break the taboo surrounding bipolarity.
Thank you for listening to me and I hope that my testimony can bring comfort to those who are going through similar situations. Together, we can create a world where bipolarity is better understood and accepted.
