World Bipolar Day & Living with Bipolar Stories

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 that present different balances of mood states. It is important to recognise that people’s experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession, also known as rapid cycling.

An individual with bipolar may have manic episodes, depressive episodes, or “mixed” episodes. A mixed episode has both manic and depressive symptoms. These mood episodes cause symptoms that last a week or two or sometimes longer.

The feelings are intense and happen along with changes in behaviour, energy levels, or activity levels that are noticeable to others.

Can include:

• Feeling jumpy or wired, more active than usual
• Racing thoughts
• Decreased need for sleep
• Talking fast about a lot of different things ‘flight of ideas’
• Feeling like you are unusually important, talented, or powerful
• Lack of control with money and impulsive spending habits

Can include:

• Feeling very down or sad or anxious
• Trouble concentrating or making decisions
• Trouble falling asleep, waking up too early or sleeping too much
• Lack of interest in almost all activities
• Unable to do regular things like showering, self-grooming or cooking
• Feeling hopeless, worthless or thinking about death or suicide

Many people with bipolar also may have other mental health conditions such as:

• Psychosis symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions
• Anxiety disorders/Hyperactivity disorders such as ADD and ADHD
• Addictions surrounding the use of drugs and alcohol
• Eating disorders such as binge eating or bulimia

To diagnose a person with bipolar, a doctor or other health care provider may:

• Complete a full physical exam
• Order medical testing to rule out other illnesses
• Refer the person for an evaluation by a psychiatrist

You cannot self diagnose for bipolar and must be evaluated by a professional health care worker.

Treatment helps many people, even those with the most severe forms of bipolar. Doctors treat bipolar with medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of treatments.

• Regular exercise, such as jogging or swimming helps with depression and anxiety, promotes better sleep, and is healthy for your heart and brain.
• Keeping a life chart, which records daily mood symptoms, sleep patterns, and life events, can help people and their doctors track and treat bipolar disorder.

Living with bipolar can be challenging but there are ways to help make it easier for yourself, a friend, or a loved one.

• Get treatment and stick with it as recovery takes time and is not easy
• Keep medical or therapy appointments and talk with the provider about options
• Structure activities by keeping a routine for eating, relaxing and sleeping
• Learn to recognize your mood swings
• Ask for help when trying to stick with your treatment
• Be patient with yourself improvement takes time