Photo taken by contributor Danielle, a woman in her thirties who has been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, Type II. Danielle is a writer, photographer, coach, and the Executive Director of Broken Light Collective.

About this photo: “I was deeply saddened yesterday to learn of the passing of Anna ‘Patty Duke’ Pearse, a mental health advocate who was one of the first celebrities to come out as having Bipolar Disorder. I was also inspired by revisiting her work. I realized it has been a while since I have contributed photography to Broken Light Collective. Ever since I came out of the ‘bipolar closet’, and dropped the veil of anonymity, it has become harder for me to share my personal work without getting stuck in my head.  So today, on World Bipolar Day, I am ready to share once again, and to take this opportunity to say how moved I am by the bravery and the powerful creative work shared by the members of this community, day after day.  

The Manic Brain. There’s something about dancing in the dark with my camera that just feels right in those moments when I’m revved and sleepless, and filled with electric currents of creative energy. Somehow the resulting light paintings always seem to perfectly reflect that state. Wild and unpredictable, and yet beautiful in all its chaos.”

Find Danielle on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and in her articles/interviews.

_____

**Visit Broken Light’s main gallery here ▸ Now a 501(c)3 non-profit! Please donate here.

*Facebook & Twitter @BrokenLighCo & @DanielleHark. Follow for e-mail notifications.