Last week, Tyler Baltierra flaunted his weight loss by posting a thirst trap. But he’s been making improvements in more than just his physical health.
Tyler has bipolar disorder, which presents a number of mental health hurdles that he has had to overcome.
In a new post, he lays out his description of the highs and lows of bipolar disorder — and he has some choice words for his haters.
Tyler’s poetry about mental illness is not a new thing to Teen Mom fans, but this time, he is really spelling out how bipolar disorder puts him in a precarious state.
“Bi Polar is like dancing on the edge of a cliff,” Tyler writes ina post shared to social media.
Bipolar disorder, formerly referred to as manic depression, involves oscillations between extremes.
“The good moods are full of endless euphoric adrenaline,” Tyler says.
Those good moods — manic episodes — can lead a person to act impulsively to follow their bliss without thought for repercussions.
“But the bad moods,” Tyler writes with poetic flare. “Cause a reclusive crash with an abusive rift.”
The bad moods are when one is bogged down with depression and may feel that they’ll never again know happiness or joy.
Continuing his poem, Tyler writes that these bad moods take place “when there’s just too much emotions to go through & sift.”
“Which,” Tyler continues. “Makes you trip down a long hard fall when you slip.”
Though the highs of bipolar disorder feel better than the lows, both can be harmful to a person’s life.
“After you lose that grip once that adrenaline filled dance inevitably makes you tip,” Tyler explains.
After the poem, Tyler extended his message.
“I am not my diagnosis,” Tyler affirms.
That is an important distinction. With medication, he is still himself — but in a better state of mind.
Tyler’s positive statements continue: “I am in control of my perceptions and my reactions.”
Finally, he adds a tag: “#PoetryIsMyBrainsFreedom”
Tyler chose to highlight positive responses that he has received, sharing them to Instagram with a message.
“Just a reminder to all the haters out there…” Tyler begins.
For the record, he does get a few very vocal, nasty trolls. They question whether he even has bipolar disorder and ask intrusive, invasive questions demanding that he “prove” his diagnosis.
“For every ONE negative ignorant opinion about my poetry,” Tyler announces. “There is more than DOUBLE the positive ones from these amazing people who are impacted by it”
The negative comments can turn very nasty. It’s good that he has some positive feedback, too.
“They’re the reason I share it in the first place,” Tyler explains. “So keep on hating or keep on scrolling, but that will NEVER change the fact that it’s touching people’s hearts & that’s what truly matters anyway.”
“To all of my supporters,” Tyler concludes. “I love you & can’t thank you enough, you are AMAZING.”
Tyler posted a follow-up message regarding the hate that he receives.
“What’s ironic to me, is that everyone thinks I’m this depressed, unstable, ‘moping in my own self pity’ kind of guy.”
Tyler explains that they assume this “just because I have been venting my vulnerable feelings through words, but that’s just my escape.”
Self-expression through art is cathartic and healthy.
“It’s just a place to put them,” Tyler explains of his feelings. “So they have a different home to belong to instead of on the shoulders of my spirit through life.”
Tyler announces: “I’m actually the happiest I have been in a very long time!!!”
