Living with bipolar disorder

What you need to know:

  • Bipolar is a common and serious mental illness, which, unfortunately is, often, mistaken for mood swings by most.
  • Often called the disease of ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ because one see-saws from one end of the mood spectrum, mania or euphoria, to the other, depression.
  • Bipolar disorder is not ‘madness’, a sign of weakness or a character flaw. It is a medical condition just like any other and it should not be treated with stigma.

When people talk of mental illness their minds immediately go to the stereotypical picture of a ‘‘man walking down the street talking to himself or setting fires’’. We often forget that the mind is a complex organ and there are various ways in which it can be affected in mental illness.

Bipolar is a common and serious mental illness, which, unfortunately is, often, mistaken for mood swings by most.

Often called the disease of ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ because one see-saws from one end of the mood spectrum, mania or euphoria, to the other, depression.

Manic phase of bipolar disorder

Mania can be easily described as being in an overly excited state. It is characterised by:

  • Extreme elation, euphoria
  • Having unrealistic belief in one’s ability
  • Poor judgment leading to risky behaviour without care for the consequences. This includes spending sprees or unwise financial choices.
  • Racing thoughts racing through the mind and rapid speech
  • Aggressive behaviour is common but sometimes one is just easily agitated or irritated.
  • Increased physical activity with a decreased need for sleep
  • Increased drive to perform or achieve goals but this can be negatively affected by poor concentration
  • Increased sex drive, however, this does not necessarily translate to improved performance
  • Easily distracted leading to poor performance at work or school
  • Careless use of drugs or alcohol
  • Frequent absences from work or school
  • In some cases, there may be delusions, psychosis.

Hypomania

This is a milder form of mania where you experience some or all of the symptoms listed for mania but in a less severe form.

Depressive phase of bipolar disorder

Depression is an extreme form of low mood. It is characterised by:

  • Feelings of sadness and hopelessness
  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviour
  • Feelings of guilt for issues you have little control over.
  • Sleep problems - can either sleep excessively or have insomnia
  • Change in appetite, either can increase or decrease
  • Fatigue and problems concentrating
  • Loss of interest in activities that were once considered enjoyable
  • Frequent absences from work or school leading to poor performance

What causes bipolar?

  • Genetics:

Bipolar disorder is more common in people who have a relative with the condition.

  • Brain issues:

Imbalances in chemicals in the brain have been found to play a role in developing bipolar disorder. Studies show there may be physical brain changes in people with bipolar disorder.

Challenges of Bipolar

Unfortunately, people generally tend to think that mental conditions such as bipolar are under your conscious control. They treat people with bipolar as if they are ‘misbehaving’ and believe that they can ‘snap out of it’ if they wanted to. Unfortunately, this is not true.

Bipolar needs active treatment. If left untreated, bipolar disorder can result in serious problems that affect every area of your life.

These can include relationship problems, financial and legal problems, drug and alcohol abuse, poor work performance and loss of jobs, extreme lonelines, isolation - since no one understands your behaviour and sometimes suicide.

Treating bipolar disorder

  • Medical treatment: This includes mood altering drugs and a special therapy known as ECT (electroconvulsive therapy).
  • Behaviour Therapy: This focuses on teaching you behaviour that reduces stress and harmful or negative thought patterns
  • Interpersonal/Family Therapy: These are sessions with family members/friends which teaches them how to deal with bipolar.
  • Social Rhythm Therapy: This helps one establish regular daily routines and sleep patterns
  • Psychoeduction: This teaches you about bipolar and helps one identify signs of an impending mood swing so that you can get early treatment.

Bipolar disorder is not ‘madness’, a sign of weakness or a character flaw. It is a medical condition just like any other and it should not be treated with stigma. No one can manage bipolar disorder on their own. It requires team effort.