Malavika P

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in my third year of law school. In a way, the diagnosis helped, because it helped me make sense of the long and protracted battle I was having with my own mind for the past year. However, getting better seemed unachievable. I was on heavy medication, and started falling behind in my classes. I felt like I was suddenly an especially insipid version of myself, not as quick to grasp concepts, not as creative, and definitely not as passionate about the things I cared about. As someone who had always prioritised achievement; who had planned every minute detail of her life, it was difficult to have that control wrested from me. It’s been three years since then, and it has been a slow journey. I’m not on as many medicines, I’m sleeping less, and feel like I’m beginning to enjoy the things I used to earlier. I now have an Instagram page dedicated to fashion, body positivity and mental health. I feel more sure of myself; like I can survive anything. My diagnosis and recovery are now an important part of my identity. I realise now that achievement can mean so many things, and I think I’ve achieved a lot by getting to where I am today.