Out of Stigma’s Shadow: Jordan’s Story

“The world doesn’t feel real to you.”

“It’s just a very self-destructive roller coaster ride.”

“Mental illness is indiscriminate.”

Jordan starting hearing voices in his head but did his best to ignore them. When he went to college, he spiraled into a pattern of depression, mania, and substance abuse that culminated in a seizure. After an inpatient hospitalization, Jordan was diagnosed with bipolar 1 with psychosis. A suicide attempt followed, along with multiple subsequent hospitalizations. Today, Jordan is on a meticulous regimen of medications, and he’s pursuing a degree in psychology.