Dr. Renair Amin Of Pink Love Wellness: How I Navigate Life With Bipolar Disorder, And How You Can Too
An Interview With Stephanie Greer
Knowledge is Power: Learning about bipolar disorder, treatment options, and how to cope can empower you or your loved one to take an active role in managing it.
Living with bipolar disorder presents a unique set of challenges. This condition can profoundly impact an individual’s personal, social, and professional life. But it’s crucial to note that countless individuals with bipolar disorder lead productive and successful lives, transforming their experiences into powerful narratives of strength and resilience. In a world where conversations about mental health are becoming more urgent yet still face stigma and misunderstanding, the timeliness of this series cannot be overstated. We aim to shed light on the realities, strategies, and triumphs of navigating life with this disorder. In this series, we are talking to individuals who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, who share their personal journeys, strategies, coping mechanisms, and expert advice to help others in similar situations. As a part of this interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Renair Amin.
Dr. Renair Amin is the founder of Pink Love Wellness, LLC, and the host of the “It’s All About Pink Love” podcast, guiding individuals on paths of self-discovery and healing in relationship wellness and empowerment. Celebrated as Ms. Exquisite Full-Figured U.S.A. At-Large 2021, she utilizes her academic background and personal experience to offer a guiding hand to those navigating life’s challenges, encouraging strength and empathy. Ordained as a reverend in 2023, her approach subtly echoes a dedication to healing spiritual trauma, nurturing spaces of inclusivity and growth.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! We really appreciate the courage it takes to publicly share your story. Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your background and your childhood backstory?
Growing up in the heart of Philadelphia, a city pulsating with life and rich narratives, bestowed upon me a resilient spirit nurtured by my great-aunt and uncle, who adopted me. Along my journey, I faced formidable challenges, including overcoming sexual assault, navigating the complex journey of recovery from drug addiction, and finding strength in the face of domestic violence. The path wasn’t always easy. But with each trial, my spirit became stronger, resolute in its pursuit of wellness and joy. In my late 20s, I embarked on a new chapter in New York, carrying the lessons learned.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My life lesson quote is, “We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the source of our happiness. We need not wait to see what others do.” I love this quote by Mahatma Gandhi because it reminds me that it starts and ends with me. This focus helps me shift my world by working on me. I know what a chaotic world looks like because I have lived in it. Now, when a situation turns chaotic or dramatic, I immediately ask if there is anything I can do to change it. If not, I remind myself that the only thing I can control is my reaction, which centers me back to me.
Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion. Can you share what your journey with bipolar disorder has been like?
The journey with bipolar disorder started horribly. I never knew what was happening. I just knew I didn’t feel right. I would be high energy one moment and massively depressed the next. My depression didn’t seem normal, as if there was a thing, right? But I would spiral so quickly. I did not fully understand what was happening to me, even after having a nervous breakdown and being institutionalized. I kept getting all kinds of diagnoses and put on various medications, which didn’t help and made me feel weird at times or cause physical side effects. It wasn’t until a therapist asked me a list of questions and said that he thought I was Bipolar II. That was when things changed. He treated me through that lens. He helped me understand how and when I was being activated and get on the proper medication. I saw him consistently for well over three years. It changed and saved my life.
Was there a turning point for you when things started to change for the better? Can you please share a story?
The turning point for me was the therapy. I could discuss everything I had been holding in for fear of judgment. Treatment was where I also learned to pinpoint when my mood was beginning to shift. It allowed me to be fully aware. I started on medication, but after consistent weekly therapy visits throughout a couple of years, I could come off guided by the therapist. Now, when I feel a moment coming on, I talk about it. If I can’t speak, I will journal it through. I do my best not to take out how I am feeling on others. I communicate my needs differently. I am not afraid to request a moment to recenter myself. If, for some reason, I do offend while I am in the moment, I apologize and do my best to make a different decision the next time the situation arises.
Who are some of the important people in your life who have been on this journey with you? How have they either helped you or made things harder?
The most influential people in life vary because everyone holds a different role depending on the season. I also don’t want to name people because my village consists of fantastic people, and I don’t want to leave anyone out. The people in my life make my life easier, for which I am grateful. I removed or set firm boundaries with those who attempt[ed] to make it harder.
How has your experience been getting treatment? What do you wish mental health professionals understood better about navigating bipolar disorder?
My experience with getting treatment had its ups and downs. I was relieved when I was diagnosed and treated correctly. Just the same, I want mental health professionals to listen to your client/patient when they tell you about how they are feeling on their medications. Sometimes, my anxiety came from being unable to deal with the response (or lack thereof) the medicine was causing. It would be aggravating when I was numb or calm in a situation where I wanted to feel an emotion. Not to mention, the physical side effects. I once had a medication that caused me to lactate. That was fun.
What are a few of the biggest misconceptions and myths out there about bipolar disorder that you would like to dispel?
One of the myths that I would like to dispel about living with bipolar disorder is the harmful misconception that individuals with this condition are ‘crazy.’ It’s essential to emphasize that living with bipolar disorder does not equate to being ‘crazy.’ Instead, it signifies navigating complex emotions and moods that may not always align with societal norms. When the ‘crazy’ label is unfairly applied to someone with bipolar disorder, it fosters a damaging and stigmatizing perception that can hinder their journey toward understanding, acceptance, and healing.
Fantastic. Here is the main question of our interview. What are 5 things you learned from your journey that you think other people navigating life with bipolar disorder or their family would benefit from knowing?
1. Embrace Overall Well-being: Taking care of your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being can make a big difference in managing bipolar disorder.
2. Talk About It: Don’t be afraid to have honest conversations about bipolar disorder; breaking down stigma starts with talking openly and without judgment. It also gives others the opportunity to learn more about how being bipolar affects you. Even though there are basic symptoms, everyone experiences it differently.
3. Knowledge is Power: Learning about bipolar disorder, treatment options, and how to cope can empower you or your loved one to take an active role in managing it.
4. Lean on Support: Whether it’s joining a support group or connecting with organizations, seeking support networks can provide invaluable emotional support and guidance.
5. Be Kind to Yourself: Remember, self-care and self-compassion are essential; it’s okay to take breaks and prioritize your well-being when dealing with bipolar disorder.
How has living with bipolar disorder affected your relationships, both romantic and platonic? Any advice for others who are navigating relationships while managing the condition?
Embracing the lessons from those experiences, I learned to apologize sincerely and to foster a different, more nurturing approach to the relationships in my present and future. My advice is to embrace honesty. Yes, opening up and being vulnerable might be terrifying, yet as Brené Brown wisely articulated, “vulnerability is brave.” It grants others the choice to engage fully and paves the way for you to explore new possibilities with an open heart. I encourage you not to shy away from seeking therapy, individually or with your loved ones, to foster a deeper understanding of living with bipolar disorder and nurturing supportive environments. It’s a courageous step towards building understanding and empathy, enhancing the quality of your relationships.
Are there any books, podcasts, or other resources that have helped you understand or manage your condition better?
I enjoy reading a wide variety of books, so it’s challenging to single out one that directly aided me. Similarly, when it comes to podcasts, I find value in many different ones. However, in my profession, where I focus on guiding individuals through personal and professional growth, books such as ‘The Untethered Soul’ and ‘The Body Keeps the Score’ have been particularly enlightening.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them. 🙂
The one person in the world I would love to sit down with is Iyanla Vanzant. I saw her at Kings Theater in Brooklyn, New York, as a graduation gift to myself. I cried. Listening to her made me see myself. It made me see possibilities. It reminded me. I, too, have gone through some traumatic experiences, and her books helped me. They also inspired me in my professional life by causing me to step into my life calling as a coach and spiritual leader. I would love to thank her face-to-face.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
They can follow me on social media. I am Renair Amin, everywhere — except ‘X.’ I am not on there.
Thank you for your time and thoughtful answers. I know many people will gain so much from hearing this.
About The Interviewer: Stephanie Greer, PhD is the Co-founder and CEO of Akin Mental Health — a company dedicated to guiding families on their journey supporting a loved one with mental health challenges like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and severe depression. Stephanie is passionate about this topic from her own personal experience growing up with a mother who struggled with bipolar 1 disorder and found a path forward to overcome the obstacles and live well. Stephanie’s professional experience includes a doctorate in neuroscience as well as design research roles at Hopelab and Apple. Stephanie brings this personal passion together with her world-class science and technology background to support families across the US in their personal journeys supporting loved ones with mental illness. To learn more about Akin Mental Health and join our community, visit us at akinmh.com.
Dr. Renair Amin Of Pink Love Wellness: How I Navigate Life With Bipolar Disorder, And How You Can… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.