We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ebony Dodson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ebony, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
Bipolar 1 is one of my diagnosis’. I’m on four different medications. I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 at age 19. Bipolar disorder- is a serious mental illness that causes unusual shifts in mood, ranging from extreme highs (mania or “manic” episodes) to lows (depression or “depressive” episode). A person who has bipolar disorder also experiences changes in their energy, thinking, behavior, and sleep.
One thing I learned about bipolar 1 is that you’re always in an episode. Whether it’s mania or depression, I’m constantly in one of those modes. Bipolar 2 and cyclothymia (rapid cycling) are different than bipolar 1. Bipolar 2 is a diagnosis which means symptoms can go away for a while. It’s possible to have normal periods in between manic and depressive episodes when you have a bipolar 2 diagnosis. Cyclothymia is when your mood shifts from manic then depression during a matter of hours or days.
Bipolar 1 keeps me in a consistent episode, whether it’s manic or depressed. I recall being depressed as long as 2 years. I can recall being manic from 2019 to 2021. Basically bipolar 1 has long episodes with no normal moment in between.
Right now I am depressed. That’s okay. My medication keeps the extremity of my mood level down. I’m actually in rehab while I’m writing this. The doctor is going to add a new mood stabilizer. The last mood stabilizer messed up my thyroid and my kidneys a little bit.
The reason I keep being able to overcome my mental health issues and persist on with my craft and work is because of my support system. I live with family and they manage a lot of my lifestyle. I have a therapist and a psychiatrist. There is a team of clinicians that are available for 24hrs that I can call. I also have the best health insurance anyone can get. And along with all this I do take my medication. Medication doesn’t make my bipolar go away. It just levels out the symptoms. I’m writing this as I walk into my room in rehab. The nurse just said to me, “Ebony it’s time for your meds.” I’m about to go take my meds right now.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’ve been an actress for almost 4 years now. September 26th 2019 is the date that I went on set for the first time. Basically, it’s my anniversary in my career.
Hold on…. I’m talking to another patient about going to group.
Ok… I’m back.
So basically I’ve been acting for 4 years. I was a featured dancer in a student film ‘Perspective’ by Ariel Hyman from Santa Monica college. I accomplished my first speaking role as the narrator in an action packed short film ‘Answers’ by Jessica Hurth.
Hold on….. the nurse is about to take my vitals.
I just took my meds. I’m in Laguna Treatment Hospital by the way.
Anyway, you guys have to watch my character acting debut on YouTube. I starred in two episodes in a mini-series directed by Paige Parchment. Y’all will see me acting on the episodes, ‘Joe Not Joey’ and ‘Hot Girl Down’. The two episodes accumulated lots of views.
I’m also a casting director. I’m the founder and CEO of Dodson Casting LLC. I was credited as casting director for the music video, ‘Black Panther’ by Daniel Yearwood. It was a hit with 70,000 views. I also assisted G-string films a little bit. My business is temporarily closed. I’m studying US Department of Labor Law at the moment. I’m up to something. That’s all I’m going to say. I’m going back to school too.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
DETERMINATION, FEARLESSNESS, AND RESILIENCE. I figured that these are my best qualities from working with a life coach. His name is Andrew Hackett. I am determined because I never take no for an answer. I am an investigative person. I look for answers and I find a solution everytime.
I am bold and fearless because I speak up. I have healthy boundaries and I take action as a good problem solver. My resilient nature comes from being an independent woman. No one can make me great but me. I am responsible for my destiny.
If you have a mental illness, take all the help you can get. Don’t live in denial. There is nothing wrong with getting help. Believe this, as some will understand that you have to do whatever it takes to be successful. The most successful people have a lot of support. No great person does it all on their own. You’re not alone. You deserve support.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was believe in me and forgive. It’s definitely possible that my parents believe in me more than I do. They let me live my life. They allow me to think independently while living with them. I’ve won and lost. I make mistakes. They let me live and learn. I love them so much. I want to win an award just so I can make a speech about my grandpa. I look up to my granddaddy. My mom is also very patient. Lord Jesus, my mom is patient. My sister understands my diagnosis. She is a traveling rn. She’s a doll. My uncle says that my sister’s energy is like a breathe of fresh air.
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Image Credits
First photo: Pavel Deleon Fourth photo: Izi Aragon
