Public Speaking as a Tool to Help with Bipolar Disorder

Jerry Seinfeld once said that most people are more afraid of public speaking than of death. He went on to say that this meant at a funeral most people would rather be in the coffin than giving the eulogy.

I like public speaking, but it still makes me nervous. I find it thrilling and I generally talk about issues related to bipolar disorder, so I feel like I am helping break down the stigma. I attend Toastmasters International meetings once a week to learn how to improve my speaking skills and it assists me with managing my bipolar disorder. I am sure there are other clubs where people can practice public speaking, but I have only been to Toastmasters.

It may seem counterintuitive to recommend an activity that is anxiety provoking as a tool for managing bipolar disorder since most of us have issues with anxiety. However, my experience with Toastmasters has provided some benefits that I had not anticipated when I signed up to improve my speaking skills.

One of the greatest challenges of having bipolar disorder is self isolating. During depressive episodes, the world becomes clouded in darkness for us. When you are dealing with the aches, extreme fatigue and an inability to experience enjoyment, leaving the house can seem pointless. Plus, we avoid social situations because conversing is hard when you are suffering and thinking of something to say when you have poor concentration is difficult.  

Unfortunately, once you start to stay home too much depressive episode symptoms can get worse and leaving home to socialize or run errands becomes next to impossible. You become trapped under a blanket on the couch alone and friends and relatives begin to wonder why you have disappeared from their lives. It is like falling in a pit and the longer you spend at home the deeper the pit gets.

Having commitments can help combat the problem of self isolating. Employment, volunteer work, sports teams or other clubs can serve this purpose. I have found Toastmasters has some aspects to it that are well suited for people with bipolar disorder.  

Even on my worst days, I can attend a Toastmasters meeting. The requirements of my presence are minimal. If I wanted to, I could sit in the meeting and hardly say a word and I would still feel like I have had a meaningful connection to people.

Toastmasters meetings have an agenda that is scheduled down to the minute which gives it an energetic pace. Since every minute is planned, I don’t have to struggle with trying to make conversation when I don’t feel well. The option to socialize before and after meetings remains on the good days.

The other benefit of toastmasters is the applause. If you woke up in the morning and received applause wouldn’t that make you feel good? At toastmasters if you decide to do a speech, you will be applauded for your effort. There are evaluations of your speeches that help you improve your public speaking skills, but they are heavily weighted to point out your strengths (and everyone has strengths). Even if you don’t speak it’s fun to be in a group of energized people and applaud for others.

For activities like this, it can be hard to go to the first meeting and researching where to go can be a challenge when you are not well. Having family and friends help with finding a club can at least remove that hurdle. The first three meetings at many Toastmasters clubs are free so having a support person go with you to attend your first meeting can be helpful.

Toastmasters has helped me make new friends, improve my public speaking skills and it is a meaningful aspect of my routine. Currently, all meetings are via Zoom, so it is helping me deal with some of the isolation that Covid-19 has imposed on my life and it gives me something positive to look forward to every week.