Important update: "Bipolar UK is sad to update this recording with the news that Micki passed away following recent struggles with bipolar. We are grateful to Micki’s family for their kindness allowing Micki’s voice to continue to be heard." Micki Woods, a 24 year old musician from Derby, was diagnosed just over 2 years ago when she was 22. With a family history of her Dad having Bipolar and sadly passing away over 4.5 years ago, Micki was aware that she was at higher risk and that she also noticed that life felt hard, and something was going on with her from the age of 12. She learned a lot from her Dad and how he struggled to deal with it and how as a result she has done her best to learn as much as she can about her illness and how it affects her personally in order to face it every day. Micki found out she was pregnant whilst still being in an unstable period. Micki stayed relatively stable throughout her pregnancy and is now a mum to a young baby. Micki speaks to us from a mother and baby unit in the UK as she had a sever manic episode following the birth of her baby, she believes triggered by hormones post birth. Following this came the crash which she is currently still navigating whilst being a guest on our podcast. Women and uterus owners who live with Bipolar can be very worried about pregnancy and growing a family because of the hurdles of medication and post-partum psychosis. The support that Micki has received keeping her and her baby together whilst she is admitted has been key in her recovery. The staff help with the feeds in the night which has been very helpful for Micki as lack of sleep is a huge trigger for her. “A big part of how I cope in general is through writing poetry and music. I find it very therapeutic, and I think I’ve helped others who may feel the same! I think there’s such a strong link between bipolar and creativity and I try to be as honest as I can in my music about what it’s like to live with bipolar, or any mental illness really. One of my latest tracks is an ode to my daughter about how if she does inherit bipolar, she’ll be okay During my time in hospital I managed to write an albums worth of songs which we’re releasing in four EPs. I find it easiest to write when I’m in a depressive episode. I’ve also self published two books and have released two albums and a few singles over the last 5 or so years” I am so grateful to Micki for talking to me about her experience as a new mum and what life has been like since her episode in post-partum. Please find support and resources on our website www.bipolaruk.org Insta: @bipolar_uk Twitter: bipolaruk Facebook: bipolaruk Find Micki: Instagram: @wiltedfloweruk Twitter: @wiltedfloweruk Facebook: @wiltedflower Hosted by Emma Belle: Insta: @emmakbelle Facebook: bellekemma www.emmakbelle.com

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