Advocates: Fighting for the Ones We Love Through Bipolar

2026-01-26

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Do you wish you had someone to understand what you're going through or have been through?*This is a re-release of an episodeIf no one’s told you this lately: you are your loved one’s best shot at survival — and maybe yours, too. In this episode of I Married Bipolar, I talk about what it really means to advocate for someone with bipolar disorder, especially when no one else seems to listen. I’ll take you inside the ER, inside my grief, and inside the moments when I had to go to war for the people I love — even when it wasn’t pretty. This...

Do you wish you had someone to understand what you're going through or have been through?

*This is a re-release of an episode

If no one’s told you this lately: you are your loved one’s best shot at survival — and maybe yours, too. In this episode of I Married Bipolar, I talk about what it really means to advocate for someone with bipolar disorder, especially when no one else seems to listen.

I’ll take you inside the ER, inside my grief, and inside the moments when I had to go to war for the people I love — even when it wasn’t pretty. This episode is part personal testimony, part training ground for anyone who’s ever felt helpless, overwhelmed, or silenced by the system.

Episode Summary

This episode begins with the loss of my mother, Paula Jean Leffingwell, who lived with bipolar disorder. Her passing became a mirror — showing me all the ways I’ve learned to fight for people who can’t always fight for themselves. I share how growing up with her shaped the way I advocate for my husband, for myself, and for this community. You’ll hear what happens when you don’t back down — with psychiatrists, with hospitals, and with your own boundaries.

We explore what I call protective love, the evolved version of “tough love” that’s not about punishment — it’s about survival. If you’ve ever had to be the one making the impossible decisions… this episode is your validation and your training manual.

🔑 Key Takeaways (SEO-Optimized)

What it really means to be an advocate for a loved one with bipolar disorder
How to set medical boundaries in a bipolar relationship
What to do when doctors won’t listen about your bipolar spouse’s symptoms
The difference between tough love and protective love
How to navigate grief and trauma while still being the caregiver

Connect with Temple
Templeleffingwell@gmail.com
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Amazon / Kindle
"Whoops, I Married Bipolar: An Inside Look at A Real Relationship with Mental Illness"
Book / AudioBook

Links
Heart Healers
Brain Gang
Major Transformation
Healing Foundation
90 Minute One on One