Bipolar Disorder

How much do you know about Bipolar Disorder

Till about 10 years ago, this term, bipolar disorder was not known to many people. Today, the awakening of people towards the concept of mental health coupled with movies and TV shows, most of us have at some point come across the term.

While we do know the term, most people unfortunately do not what bipolar disorder entails. We still need to work on demystifying bipolar disorder.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

In layman’s terms bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by extreme shifts in mood and activity levels. Unlike the regular everyday mood changes we all face in our day to day lives, the mood disturbances in bipolar disorder are more severe. This is an episodic disorder i.e. the disorder presents itself in the form of episodes, each episode will have a different mood.

People with the disorder might have trouble managing work or school. However, with a regular treatment plan, one can live a stable life.

SYMPTOMS 

The symptoms can vary from individual to individual. The time that each episode lasts can vary, from a couple of weeks to a couple of months.

But there are three mood changes that happen in episodes.

Mania: This is an episode of elated mood. A person w=in a manic episode can show the following symptoms,

• Judgement is impaired
• Sleeping very little
• Not being tired
• Increased libido
• Feeling euphoric
• Engaging in risky behavior
• Being easily distracted
• Missing work or school
• Jumping from topic to topic in a conversation
• High level of self confidence and self importance
• Spending a lot of money
• Drinking too much

Hypomania: Like mania this is also an episode of elated mood, although it is much less intense than a manic episode. Hypomania might not interfere with day-to-day life of work, school or social relationships, like mania does. People in a hypomanic episode still experience mood changes. Symptoms can include

• A happier mood than normal
• More irritable
• Overconfident
• Higher energy levels
• Being much more social

Depression: During an episode of depression  a person may experience the following symptoms,

• A deep feeling of sadness
• Hopelessness
• Changes in sleeping patterns (insomnia or hypersomnia)
• Changes in appetite
• Feeling of guilt
• Loss of energy
• Difficulty to focus
• Loss of interest in any activities
• A sense of gloom

Bipolar disorder in ICD 10 

In ICD 10 bipolar disorder is characterized under the code F31. According to ICD 10 manic episodes usually begin abruptly and can last for a duration between to two weeks and 4-5 months (the median duration is considered to be 4 months). Depressive episodes tend to last longer (median duration is usually 6 months) however they rarely last more than one year except for in the elderly.

Representation of Bipolar Disorder in media 

In the past decade we have seen many movies and shows being made with certain characters having bipolar disorder. This has put bipolar disorder in the light. However, these shows and movies tend to focus on the more dramatic side of bipolar disorder. That combined with the overdramatization of everything that is put on the big screen, the disorder might have been portrayed in a negative light.

In our day-to-day life we often hear phrases like “the weather is bipolar” or accusations often towards women of being “bipolar exes”. This is a clear example on how people associate the term bipolar with unstable, destructive tendencies and being prone to violence. This association creates a hostile environment for people who are living with the disorder. Living with a mental illness is a task in itself, topping it off with the unnecessary shame and stigma will do nobody any benefit. Here I’d also give credit to the Netflix show “spinning out”, for accurately portraying how deep the stigma against the disease runs and how this stigma will only cause more destruction if it continues to prevail.

On the flip side I’d give credit where it is deserved, that is the social media campaigns. In the past couple of years, we have seen a number of social media campaigns to destigmatize bipolar disorder. With celebrities coming out and talking about their stories with bipolar disorder, their seems to be a silver lining.

While we continue to advocate mental health, we still need loads of work to demystify it. During my research a came across a great memoir, which I think everyone should read, “All things we never knew: chasing the chaos of mental illness.” It advocates a very problem-solving approach to treat the disorder.

With a proper schedule and treatment like any other mental illness, bipolar disorder too is manageable. In addition to that other holistic methods like yoga and meditation can enable people with the disorder to lead highly successful lives.