5 Ways Carrie Fisher Was a Badass Mental Illness Warrior

1. She normalized taking medication for your mental health.

• Fisher was open about taking medication for her bipolar disorder.
• “There is treatment and a variety of medications that can alleviate your symptoms if you are manic depressive or depressive.”
• You can lead a normal life, whatever that is.”

2. She gave great advice — and made us laugh while doing it.

• “I own it. I’m mentally ill.”
• “And I think in my mouth so I don’t lie.”
• @jenmacramos on Twitter: “When I met Carrie Fisher last year, she told me the best advice I had gotten about mental health.”
• “She told me, ‘You have mental illness, but your mental illness doesn’t have you.'”

3. She reminded people living with bipolar disorder they were champions.

• “In my opinion, living with manic depression takes a tremendous amount of balls…”
• “Being bipolar can be an all-consuming challenge, requiring a lot of stamina and even more courage.”
• “So if you’re living with this illness and functioning at all, it’s something to be proud of, not ashamed of.”

4. Her dog, Gary, is more than just a cute face.

• Fisher brought Gary with her everywhere, including interviews.
• She talked about how he provided her with emotional support.
• “Gary is like my heart.”
• “Gary is very devoted to me and that calms me down.”

5. Even after her death, she was still normalizing mental health.

• #InHonorOfCarrie inspired people to open up about their own illness.
• And reminded them there’s nothing to be ashamed about.
• Also, her family used her giant Prozac pill as an urn.

Thank you, Carrie, for being the badass mental illness warrior you were.