Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2025 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Learning you're HIV-positive is upsetting enough without having another bombshell accompany the news. But that's what happened to Cliffside Park, N.J., native Stephen Puibello when he was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness. But he didn't let the dual diagnoses drag him down. Instead, he focused on improving his overall health and has dropped 80 pounds in the past eight years. The 49-year-old is in such good shape that he's completed several cycling fund-raisers, including last year's 545-mile AIDS/LifeCycle. He'll again travel cross-country to California'paid out of his own pocket, despite living on a limited income'for his second LifeCycle in June. And, he says, he views the annual event as a unique chance to help shatter the stigma still associated with mental illness. Which do you find more difficult to be open about, being HIV-positive or having bipolar disorder?Puibello: Being bipolar has a bigger stigma than HIV. Don't get me wrong: HIV does have a stigma associated with it. But it sometimes amazes me that there's so much shame associated with mental illness, especially when you consider that there are about 5.7 million Americans affected by bipolar disorder. Have you faced any negative reactions about your mental illness?Puibello: I've never been outwardly discriminated against, but some people just don't get it. But I'm lucky enough to have friends all over the world and a strong support network of people who understand my struggle. When you participate in rides, you wear your BiPolar Bear jersey identifying you as having bipolar disorder. Why do you draw attention it?Puibello: To fight the stigma associated with mental illness by being open about my personal experiences and to let other bipolar people know they aren't alone. When people see me with my jersey on, they stop me and tell me that someone they know is also dealing with the disorder or that they are bipolar themselves. I've had some very emotional and heartbreaking talks with people who feel such shame about being bipolar. Successfully managing one chronic disease is difficult enough, let alone two. How are you doing today?Puibello: My viral load is undetectable, my T-cell count is almost 1,000, and I've never had more energy. I'm living proof that having HIV, a mental illness, or both doesn't have to put you on life's sidelines. Tips+ToolsThe 545-mile San Francisco to Los Angeles AIDS/LifeCycle ride will be June 1'7. To root on Puibello, sponsor him or another rider, or sign up, please click on the AIDS/LifeCycle link above.
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Lexi Love comes out as HIV+ after Trump deletes federal resources
January 23 2025 11:23 AM
Grindr is reminding us why jockstraps are so sexy and iconic
May 02 2025 5:36 PM
BREAKING NEWS: Trump admin moves to end federal HIV prevention programs
March 18 2025 6:10 PM
Trump's orders prompt CDC to erase HIV resources
January 31 2025 5:29 PM
This long-term HIV survivor says testosterone therapy helped save his life.
December 16 2024 8:00 PM
Celebrating Black History Month with our annual African American issue
February 01 2025 3:28 PM
Discover the power of Wellness in your life
March 26 2025 12:41 PM
Tyler TerMeer vows to continue to fight for health care for all
January 28 2025 3:00 PM
Plus: Featured Video
Latest Stories
Trump admin guts $258 million in funding for HIV vaccine research
June 03 2025 3:47 PM
HRC holds 'die-in' to protest Trump health care cuts
April 28 2025 2:11 PM
Two right-wing Supreme Court justices signal they may uphold access to PrEP and more
April 21 2025 4:10 PM
500,000 Children at Risk: PEPFAR Funding Crisis
April 08 2025 3:51 PM
Broadway's best raise over $1 million for LGBTQ+ and HIV causes
April 03 2025 7:15 PM
The Talk Season 5 premieres this spring with HIV guidance for the newly diagnosed
March 26 2025 1:00 PM
Season 4 of The Switch on resilience & radical self-love returns this spring
March 26 2025 12:20 PM
Jess King is here to help you live your happiest, healthiest life yet
March 24 2025 4:35 PM
Gerald Garth is keeping people of color happy and healthy through trying times
March 11 2025 3:38 PM
Plus nominated for 2025 GLAAD Media Award
January 22 2025 12:42 PM
A camp for HIV-positive kids is for sale. Here's why its founder is celebrating
January 02 2025 12:21 PM
'RuPaul's Drag Race' star Trinity K Bonet quietly comes out trans
December 15 2024 6:27 PM
Ricky Martin delivers showstopping performance for 2024 World AIDS Day
December 05 2024 12:08 PM
AIDS Memorial Quilt displayed at White House for the first time
December 02 2024 1:21 PM
Decades of progress, uniting to fight HIV/AIDS
December 01 2024 12:30 PM
Hollywood must do better on HIV representation
December 01 2024 9:00 AM
Climate change is disrupting access to HIV treatment
November 25 2024 11:05 AM
California confirms first case of even more deadly mpox strain
November 18 2024 3:02 PM