Although bipolar diagnoses have become more common, stigma still exists for those diagnosed with the disorder. Cultural beliefs around what it means to have a mental health disorder encourage negative myths and beliefs about bipolar disorder symptoms. Fortunately, experts know that knowledge is powerful for healing in communities. Bipolar disorder awareness and mental health education can help de-stigmatize bipolar disorder, while also educating the community on symptoms for early diagnosis and treatment.
Before reading this blog, consider some of your own stigmas surrounding bipolar disorder. Ask yourself:
- Do I know anyone with the disorder?
- What are my general thoughts and attitudes toward this person?
- Am I dismissive, fearful, or condescending about any of their symptoms?
- What might I do to better support or understand this person?
- If I don’t know anyone with bipolar disorder, how might I feel if someone I love was diagnosed?
Introduction to World Bipolar Day & Bipolar Disorder Education
March 30th signifies World Bipolar Day, a global initiative to raise awareness about bipolar disorder. Improving understanding of the condition and its symptoms help raise empathy and reduce stigma for diagnosed individuals. Let’s start with a basic definition and go from there:
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition marked by very extreme mood swings which include lows (depressive episodes) and highs (called mania or hypomania). There are three types of bipolar disorder:
Bipolar I – characterized by manic symptoms lasting at least one week, which are often so disruptive to the person’s life that immediate hospitalization is needed. Depressive episodes occur along with manic episodes, lasting longer and typically at least two weeks.
Bipolar II – characterized by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, which last at least 4 days but not more than 7. Sometimes symptoms need hospitalization, but more often than not, symptoms can be missed or dismissed.
Cyclothymic Disorder – periods of both hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms lasting at least two years.
Here are some warnings signs that might indicate some professional assessment:
- Staying up for 4 or more days in a row
- Making significantly risky decisions with money or relationships
- Irritability or frustration for 4 or more days
- Feeling less need for sleep or feeling high energy despite lack of sleep
- Pressured speech or suddenly seeming more talkative
- Not wanting to get out of bed for days or more
- Extreme emotional reactivity out of proportion to the situation
- Sudden and extreme shifts in mood with no seeming cause
If you have any of these symptoms, they can also be indicative of other issues. It’s important to have a mental health professional assess your symptoms and determine the best course of action for your individual needs. You can ask your doctor or therapist to help you understand more about your experience of any of these symptoms.
Best Treatment Practices for Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar treatment typically consists of several factors: medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and relational support. Managing bipolar disorder is a hopeful process due to evidence-based treatments and practices.
- Medications: Mood stabilizers, antipsychotic medications, and antidepressants are some of the first lines of pharmaceutical treatment. Mood regulation is the main goal of medication for bipolar disorder.
- Psychotherapy: Therapy for bipolar disorder focuses on education and management of symptoms, especially distorted thoughts and lack of self-soothing skills. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) have been shown to help manage symptoms and improve functioning of those with bipolar disorder, targeting the regulation of emotions and thoughts related to symptoms.
- Lifestyle Management: Establishing routines is a huge help to those with bipolar, as stress can be a major trigger for symptoms. Some areas of attention might include engaging in consistent sleep patterns, more balanced nutrition, and regular physical movement.
- Support Systems: Relational support is a cornerstone of effective treatment for bipolar disorder. Relationships help solidify motivation to stay in treatment, provide validation, and provide an extra line of defense in case symptoms become more intense and professional intervention is needed.
A Hopeful Perspective on Living with Bipolar Disorder
Living with bipolar disorder has hopeful outcomes with the proper treatment and lifestyle management. Actually, thriving with bipolar disorder is possible when routines, medication management, relational support, and lifestyle changes all help the individual and their support system feel confident about managing symptoms. There are three major pieces to cultivating hope for bipolar disorder: overcoming stigma, living a full life, and engaging in continued support.
Overcoming Stigma and Embracing Hope
With the proper treatment, it’s more than possible to manage symptoms and live a full and healthy life with bipolar disorder. Education of symptoms lessens the stigma of mental health conditions like bipolar, while also helping people recognize the positive role that showing empathy and support plays in managing someone’s symptoms. If you have bipolar disorder yourself, showing self-compassion during the peaks and valleys of symptoms can help you manage any bouts of depression or low self-worth.
Consider mantras like:
- “I am more than my highs and lows.”
- “I am strong, capable, and worthy of a full life.”
- “I am not broken. I am growing.”
- “I give myself the same kindness I would give a friend.”
- “I can slow down. I can rest. I am safe in stillness.”
Living a Full Life with Bipolar Disorder
One myth surrounding bipolar disorder is that people who are diagnosed will no longer have functional relationships and careers due to the highs and lows. This is simply not true. In fact, many individuals with bipolar who learn to manage symptoms lead healthy and successful lives. Consider celebrities who have spoken out about managing their symptoms, such as Demi Lovato, Jane Pauley, and even Ted Turner who are all seen as successful entrepreneurs in their respected realms. Spending some time researching and understanding others’ stories of living with bipolar, celebrities or laypeople alike, can help reduce the shame surrounding symptoms.
Part of thriving with bipolar disorder is cultivating a core value of resilience. Recognizing that emotions and symptoms will come and go embodies acceptance, while also developing self-awareness to identify and manage symptoms shows mental fortitude. Of course mental health recovery is an on-going process, but knowing there are four components to treatment can give you (or your loved one) clarity and strength to persist:
A reminder of the four components of managing bipolar disorder:
- Medication
- Psycho-therapy
- Lifestyle changes
- Relational support
Last Thoughts on Living a Full, Healthy Life with Bipolar Disorder
World Bipolar Day offers us a chance to raise awareness of the warning signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder. Most importantly, it offers us a chance to recognize the powerful role of relationships in treatment outcomes. We can recognize the role bipolar disorder education plays in reducing stigma and increasing empathy for those who are living with bipolar disorder. If you (or a loved one) are living with the disorder, Lotus therapists are here to support your recovery and management of symptoms. Remember to reach out to professionals when needed, stay connected to your relational supports, and embrace the journey toward well-being and resilience.
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