Healing Bipolar from the Inside Out: Support, Self-care and Sensory Enrichment - Michelle Reittinger

Parents of neurodivergent kids often put their own well-being last—but what happens when that leads to burnout? In this episode, Michelle Reittinger, a mentor and advocate for a personalized approach to mental health, shares how parents can proactively manage their emotional resources before they reach a breaking point.

We discuss:

• Turning symptoms into signals – Why anxiety and depression aren’t personal failures, but messages from your brain that something needs attention.
• Building a real support system – Why most people’s offers of help fall flat and how to create a network that actually makes a difference.
• Letting go of unrealistic expectations – How to stop doing things just because they “look good” and focus on what truly matters.

We also explore how sensory enrichment can help parents and kids reset after moments of overwhelm. Claudie shares brain-based strategies—including a simple two-step technique using scent and cold to calm a meltdown or break out of a stress spiral in seconds.

Episode Highlights

Taking charge of mental health

• (1:45) Michelle introduces the Mood Cycle Survival Guide and how it helps people manage mental health proactively instead of feeling powerless.
• (10:42) After a decade of struggling with bipolar disorder, Michelle realized she needed to take control of her own recovery.

Support systems and self-care

• (4:52) The biggest mistake caregivers make: ignoring their own needs. Michelle explains why "putting your mask on first" isn’t selfish—it’s essential.
• (16:10) Why vague offers of help ("let me know if you need anything") don’t work—and what actually helps someone in crisis.
• (20:37) How to build a real support system with clear roles and boundaries so people know exactly how to help you.

Recognizing symptoms and triggers

• (26:42) Mental health symptoms are like a fever—they signal something deeper. Michelle shares why curiosity (not judgment) is key to healing.
• (34:45) The power of tracking your moods: how an app helped Michelle uncover hidden patterns in her emotional health.

Managing emotional energy with power priorities

• (43:28) The generator analogy: When you're in crisis, you can’t power everything. Michelle explains how to prioritize what matters most and let go of the rest.
• (48:40) Why parents often do things to "look good" rather than focusing on what actually works for their families.

Healing through Sensory Enrichment

• (51:49) Michelle’s unexpected reaction to Sensory Enrichment Therapy—why she doubted it at first and how it ultimately changed her brain.
• (53:19) The first moment Michelle felt joy again: how sensory enrichment helped her reconnect with fun and spontaneity.
• (55:11) Claudie explains the brain science behind Sensory Enrichment, including why certain smells and touch sensations can instantly calm the nervous system.

Practical sensory tools for managing stress

• (26:02) Claudie introduces the Strawberry & Ice Protocol—a quick way to stop spiraling thoughts and reset the brain.
• (58:09) Where to find Michelle’s Mood Cycle Survival Guide and how to start using these strategies today.