By: Alva Ree
1. As a 37-year-old professional who has built a career across education, writing, and technology, what does success mean to you?
I feel fortunate to have built a specialized career while living in New York City, surrounded by loving family and friends. Professionally, I’ve had many fulfilling opportunities. Success shows up in everyday life. Sleeping well, waking up with clarity, and moving through the day with a sense of purpose. Those simple moments are powerful because they reflect stability, health, and the ability to participate fully in life. The trust and support of family and friends have strengthened my resilience and remind me that no meaningful life is built alone. I am deeply committed to caring for my health and staying grounded, building a life that feels meaningful, balanced, and aligned with the values that matter most.
2. You mentioned qualities like resilience and a commitment to health. What challenges have you experienced that you’ve had to overcome?
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 20. Not long before that, I experienced sexual violence. The trauma deeply affected my health, and what followed were periods of instability- months of depression, insomnia, paranoia, panic attacks, and emotional dysregulation. I was put on an antidepressant medication that misfired and triggered a manic episode, quickly disrupting the illusion of the control I had over my life.
3. Bipolar disorder is often misunderstood or reduced to stereotypes. How would you describe your experience with it?
Dramatic instability is the stereotype most people associate with bipolar disorder. The reality is far more nuanced and deeply personal. It’s medically treatable with prescriptions, talk therapy, and an ongoing commitment to understanding one’s health. One of the most important elements is finding the right medication for mood stabilization, which requires patience and periodic adjustments.
4. Experiencing trauma affects mental health. How did the experience of sexual violence intersect with your bipolar diagnosis?
When I was raped at 18 years old, it complicated an already vulnerable moment in my life as a young woman. The two experiences intertwined and were very difficult to untangle. Trauma intensifies feelings and challenges a person’s sense of safety. Yet it has colored my perspective, increased my capacity for compassion, both for myself and for others who carry invisible struggles.
5. Many people carry trauma quietly. What helped you begin the process of healing and reclaiming your sense of agency?
Trauma tricks you into believing that silence is the safest option. Healing does not come from erasing the past; it begins with acknowledging it honestly. Expression in my writing has been central to that journey. When I write, I am able to pause, slow down, and travel through time to examine my experiences. The page creates distance from pain while still allowing truth to surface. I hear my voice when reading my words. Sharing my voice is also a way to help others feel less alone in their own experiences. Learning to listen, trust God, and live in service to something greater than myself has given my life direction.
6. For readers who may also be navigating trauma or mental health challenges, what message would you want them to hear about healing and possibility?
Healing grows through acts of trust, with others and with yourself. Emotional disorders and psychological disabilities are not signs of weakness because they demand extraordinary strength, a greater strength than others who have not suffered like us. Our lives require a lot of courage, discipline, and a deep sense of responsibility for our own well-being, with challenges not experienced by neurotypical minds.
Seeking support through therapy, medication, community, faith, and creative expression can create the stability needed to build confidence and direction. Learning to listen to your nervous system, to the signals your body sends your mind, is an essential practice. Brain chemistry is powerful, and while treatment is not an exact science, living in pursuit of what works makes the difference. And that pursuit is a choice. Choices create your future, and the future is yours to build.
