Stories of Hope: An Interview with Troy Steven
This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked engineer and author Troy Steven about his journey. Here’s our interview:
DS: Tell us about when you first started becoming aware of concerns related to your mental health.
TS: I became aware of having a mental health problem in 1993 when I had my first bipolar episode. I remember becoming anxious and paranoid over several weeks. I woke up several days in a row with a pain in my back shoulder and became convinced that my wife at the time who is a nurse was giving me injections with a needle while I slept. I started sleeping downstairs in the lazy boy and became more and more scared that I might become violent.
My symptoms continued to escalate so I decided to drive to Florida from Raleigh, North Carolina, where I lived at the time, and hole up in a hotel until I could figure out what was going on. When I reached the South Carolina border I turned around because I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving my kids.
When I got back to Raleigh, I went to the emergency room of a local hospital and told them what was going on. They transported me to a psychiatric hospital in an ambulance where I checked myself in. I had a psychotic break in the hospital and was diagnosed bipolar. I have been on medication ever since.
DS: What has your treatment consisted of, and what have you found that has worked well for you?
TS: Since 1993 my treatment has consisted of taking medication, and having monthly and later on quarterly appointments with a psychiatrist. I have had 7 psychiatrists thru the years because I moved around a lot, and 4 of them provided therapy as well.
The things that have worked best for overcoming my illness have been learning how to optimize my medications, attending bipolar support group meetings, learning as much as I could about the illness, getting plenty of sunshine and exercise and forming a support team of three people I trust who I can call if I start having serious bipolar symptoms.
In addition, I read a lot of books about bipolar disorder, and many self-help books such as The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and Don’t Die with your Magic Still Inside of You by Wayne Dyer.
Although I maintained a career as an Aerospace Engineer all the while, and even got a Master’s degree, up until 2015 I was never satisfied that my medications were working optimally. I would tell my psychiatrists that my mind was not as powerful as it once was, I didn’t have enough get up and go, and I felt like a robot with no emotions.
I tried a long list of different medications over the years with so-so results and sometimes serious side effects. Twice I stopped taking my meds all at once because I was fed up. In both instances, I skyrocketed into mania and ended up being involuntarily committed into a psychiatric hospital, once in 2005 due to a suicide attempt and again in 2013.
Finally, in 2015 I added a medication that works wonders for me and I feel like I’m back to full strength. My mind started to click along like it did when I was younger, I have lots of energy and drive, and most importantly I feel human again. I actually laugh out loud at times and my life has improved dramatically.
DS: How are things going for you now? What challenges are you still facing? What have you learned that has helped you stay positive and healthy?
TS: My life is going great, I live across from the beach and can’t think of anywhere I would rather be. I hang out with attractive women, and I published my self-help book Breaking Bipolar in May. Also, I have a publishing company and am doing what I love by helping other authors publish their books.
The main challenge I face now is to make up for all the time I lost due to my bipolar illness and achieve the things I want in life. When I die I want to look back and be proud of myself and not feel like I let myself down.
I have learned that the best way to stay positive and healthy is to follow a comprehensive treatment plan, including medication, educating myself about the illness, communicating with my psychiatrist and therapist, having a strong support system, and helping myself by making healthy lifestyle choices.
DS: You’ve been very involved in mental health advocacy. Please tell us a little about your advocacy efforts and your new book.
TS: My advocacy efforts include interacting with other people who are bipolar on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and YouTube and teaching the strategies outlined in my book, Breaking Bipolar.
I made use of everything I learned over the past 27 years battling bipolar illness, as well as my 20 years of engineering experience writing processes and procedures, to develop the framework for the book.
Breaking Bipolar is an empowering self-help book with clear, detailed instructions on how to create a powerful battle plan to break the hold bipolar disorder has on your life and eliminate bipolar episodes for good. It provides encouragement and hope to the bipolar reader and their loved ones that the disease can be managed successfully, and that they can make their dreams come true.
DS: What would you like to say to encourage others who are still working on their journey of recovery?
TS: My advice to other people who are bipolar is to live by the motto “Bipolar Heal Thyself.” Keep adjusting your meds until you are happy with your life. Learn all you can about bipolar disorder. Don’t sabotage yourself by drinking too much or doing drugs. Learn self-help strategies to strengthen your mind. Form a support team of people you trust you can call upon for help if needed. Stay away from negative people. Make a plan to combat the illness and put it in writing. Be a bipolar warrior, fight the war against bipolar disorder and make your dreams come true!
Embrace the words of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (who was thought to be bipolar): “It is the courage to continue that counts. We shall never surrender!”
About Troy:
Troy Steven has been battling bipolar disorder for over 20 years. He is a graduate of Purdue University and holds a Master’s degree in Engineering from N.C. State University. He has worked as an engineer since 1984. He is the proud Dad of four children and Grandpa of two grandchildren, and enjoys bonfires on the beach, spending time with family, and reading and writing. Troy resides in Satellite Beach, Florida. You can connect with him on his website, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook or X (formerly Twitter).
Thanks so much to Troy for sharing his inspiring story of hope!
Would you like to share your story of hope? I plan to feature more personal accounts like this from time to time on my blog. If you are interested in sharing your story, please notify me via my contact page. Also, please subscribe to my blog and feel free to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, “like” my Facebook page, or connect on LinkedIn. Finally, if you enjoyed this post, please share it with a friend. Thanks!