4 misconceptions about bipolar disorder

We hear the words, ‘bipolar disorder’ and automatically we may have thoughts of someone swinging wildly between euphoria and depression.  This can be a common viewpoint of this condition many of us share that is not totally true. 

Maybe we have a friend, relative, acquaintance, or perhaps ourselves with this mood disorder.  For some but not all, bipolar disorder can cause dramatic shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to think.  A person with bipolar disorder can fluctuate from feeling really down and depressed to feeling super-charged or manic.

Most people with bipolar disorder live normal lives and are never admitted to a psychiatric hospital.  Examples of successful famous people with this condition include actresses Catherine Zeta-Jones, Vivian Leigh, Carrie Fisher, and Linda Hamilton, singer Sinead O’Connor, artist Vincent van Gogh, novelist Virginia Woolf, and television journalist Jane Pauley. 

All of us go through mood swings but for those with bipolar disorder, there are times when the swings are much more severe and noticeable than normal ups and downs most people experience.  When they are not going through a manic-depressive state, most people with bipolar disorder can live a relatively normal life. 

To dispel the misconceptions of this brain disorder, here are 4 common beliefs to get a better understanding of this condition:

Myth 1: Bipolar disorder is a severe mental illness

The belief of someone with bipolar disorder is out of control and psychotic is simply untrue.  There are actually mild forms of the condition which are much more common.  Bipolar disorder is categorized into two types – bipolar I and bipolar II. 

In bipolar I, episodes of mania and depression can be quite severe.  In bipolar II, depression may be severe but the highs are much milder without impairing function.  For some people it actually makes them more productive. 

Myth 2:  Mood swings always mean bipolar disorder

Everyone gets mood swings from time to time which can happen for many reasons.  Medications like steroids or substance abuse can result in behavior changes, a woman’s monthly menstrual cycle and even changes in the weather.  Other illnesses besides bipolar causing mood swings could be hormone disorders, autoimmune diseases, and neurological problems.  Even attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and certain personality disorders can change our frame of mind.

What sets bipolar disorder apart is how the illness represents a change from the usual self.  Mood episodes in bipolar disorder often happen suddenly, for no particular reason.  Specific things can trigger mania or depression such as lack of sleep, changes to daily routine, or jet lag when traveling. If depression strikes, a person with bipolar may have it last for several weeks at a time or mania lasting for several days at a time.  This would be different from someone who can be “moody” but where it only lasts for a few minutes or hours and not for long lengths of time.

Myth 3:  Depression and mania are cyclical

A common assumption of bipolar disorder is that people will have periods of mania alternating regularly with periods of depression.  Generally, mood is more chaotic with random combinations of symptoms instead of being cyclical.

Because of this nature of the illness, this can be a source of what causes relationships to unravel affecting family, friends, and coworkers which also make it why getting treatment for it is very important.

Myth 4:  Bipolar disorder is difficult to treat

Today, there are very effective treatments for this condition.  Once a person seeks help and is properly diagnosed, patients are usually prescribed a type of mood-stabilizing drug sometimes combined with antidepressants and/or drugs for mania.

Psychotherapy is strongly recommended to offer additional benefits which include:

·      Helping to provide insight into the illness. When in a depressive state, they are feeling mental pain and anguish but when in the manic phase, they feel very good and often believe they don’t have a problem.

·      Helps to teach stress management skills.  Developing ways to better deal with stress, which can trigger manic and depression, is vital in managing bipolar disorder.

·      Helps with problem-solving.  To better deal with family issues and work difficulties, learning skills on how to solve these issues can result in less mood swings.

·      Helps educate on achieving self-care.  To better manage bipolar disorder, maintaining regular daily routines is critical.  If they are not eating or sleeping on a set schedule, this can led to more mood problems creating a vicious cycle. 

Anyone who suspects they may have bipolar disorder should get full evaluation from psychiatrist.  Very often it gets misdiagnosed.  By getting a good diagnostic evaluation, the sooner they can start receiving effective treatments to begin leading a normal life just like everyone else.