Let me just start out by saying that Bipolar gets a bad rap. While it is incredibly hard to deal with – I want to tackle some preconceived notions on the topic.
- Bipolar isn’t just mood swings. Everybody has mood swings. Typical bipolar episodes last days to weeks. Although at times a “short fuse” or aggression is a symptom of an episode – which can make it look like sudden mood swings.
- There are three MAIN types of bipolar disorder (bipolar I, bipolar II, Cyclothymia (AKA baby/mini bipolar), bipolar “other”, and each one is “specially tailored to each individual.” (That’s meant to be a cute way to say bipolar disorder is on a spectrum and is different for everyone.)
- Bipolar disorder currently cannot be cured, but especially by a change in diet and/or exercise. So don’t suggest your South Beach-Keto-Noom-Vegan diet to us. It won’t help.
- There are different types of episodes (Manic, Hypomanic, Depressed, Mixed [to name a few]). But you’re not in a constant state of various episodes. Stability is achievable through treatment with medication, therapy, quality sleep, avoiding triggers, and a good support system.
- Mania (bipolar I) and hypomania (bipolar II) share a lot of the same qualities, but hypomania usually doesn’t include psychosis.
- Mania isn’t a fun state of productivity, although you can use some of that energy towards accomplishing goals. Mania is mostly detrimental to a stable lifestyle – causing (but not limited to) a high risk of overspending, complicating relationships, and potentially even causing the person to lose touch with reality.
- Treatment doesn’t cause you to lose your creativity.
- Not every emotion or mood a bipolar person experiences is caused by bipolar – although that can be hard to navigate for the person with bipolar after the initial diagnosis. Over time they will be able to differentiate between normal/common moods/emotions and bipolar moods.
*Trigger Warning
*This article explores the mind of depression and suicide. This article can be dangerous, so please proceed with caution. This writing it not meant to make light, make fun, or endorse suicide. This piece is an open expression of ONE person’s experience with depression. These examples were given to help people who do not suffer…
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