Hey there Psychos,
I’m posting this throwback episode of TYPP! with the great Andrea Allan. We really delve into the similarities and differences between Bipolar I and Bipolar 2 Disorder. We get very personal, tell some crazy ass stories, and we laugh a lot. I think it’s one of the best episodes. Give it a listen here or wherever you listen to podcasts.
For those of you who may not know, Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder with manic highs and depressive lows. It used to be called Manic-Depression, which, let’s be honest, sounds WAY cooler. Manic-Depression sounds like something a tortured artist suffers from, yet creates brilliance out of. Bipolar Disorder sounds like something a broken robot is dealing with: “Hello, I’m a robot with Bipolar Disorder. Bi means two. I only experience two settings. I’m either in golden god mode, or I can’t get out of bed mode.” What I’m saying is Manic dash Depression implies the entire spectrum of human emotions, while Bipolar Disorder implies just two extreme emotions. Although I’ve certainly experienced the extremes, I’ve also experienced everything in between. That is why the title of my first stand up special is, “The Manic-Depressive Chocolate Fountain Operator.” Seamless plug!
I’m not usually one to complain about cultural language changes. I generally defer to the group who is most affected by any particular label and just go with what they want to go with. However, in addition to my silly annoyance with the term Bipolar Disorder, I also take playful issue with the terms “Neurodivergent” and “Neurotypical.” Again, because they both sound like something a malfunctioning robot would say: “Oh no! My neurons are no longer typical. They have now become divergent. I am now neurodivergent. Oh no!”
If you’re not familiar with these words, neurodivergent is more or less a new umbrella term for somebody with mental illness, with a learning disability, with autism spectrum disorder, etc. Neurotypical, on the other hand, refers to people who don’t have these issues. I actually think that neurotypical sounds the worse of the two. It sounds like an insult lol. “Look at this neuroTYPICAL normie over here. Boring! Basic! Typical!” Throw in the term “Heteronormative” and now we’re approaching slur territory. “You’re just another heteroNORMATIVE neuroTYPICAL piece of shit!” Calling somebody “heteronormative neurotypical” sounds like a slur against straight people who don’t take psych meds lol.
I’m going to be doing shows in Atlanta soon! If you’re a Psycho who happens to live in the area, I’d love for you to roll through. I’ll be at the Laughing Skull on Friday 4/28, Saturday 4/29, and Sunday 4/30. I’ll be at Star Bar on Monday 5/1. Let’s hangout!
If you’re in the NYC area, Live From Outer Space at Cobra Club happens every Friday at 9pm. At this point, we very well may be the longest running independent comedy show in all of Brooklyn. In May, it’s going to be 10 years that the show has been happening! So crazy! Roll through!
Love,
JFOD
A (Hilarious) Comparison of Bipolar 1 Versus Bipolar 2 Disorder!!!