An online search for the word ‘bipolar disorder’ leaves us with images of people who swing between elation one minute, and aggression the next. We might even have thoughtlessly used the term for people who appear indecisive, moody, upset or outwardly overexpressive.
However, this perception of the mood disorder is often misguided and stigmatising.
Bipolar disorder, according to the American Psychological Association, causes the affected person to experience alternating periods of extremely high moods (mania or hypomania) and extremely low moods (depression). People with bipolar disorder swing between these contrasting emotional states
The International Society for Bipolar Disorders observes March 30 as World Bipolar Disorder Day. The day is also the birth anniversary of 19th century Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, one of the famous persons found to have lived with this condition.
Happiest Health spoke with experts about common bipolar disorder misconceptions.
These are some of the misconceptions.
People with bipolar disorder are moody
“Many people believe that bipolar disorder just means mood swings. This is one of the most common misconceptions I have encountered in my personal and professional life,” says Aswathi Prasad, Palakkad-based clinical psychologist at Niyama Healthcare. .
It is important, she says, to understand that this condition involves the oscillation between two contrasting emotional states, that is mania and depression. And that there are distinct diagnostic criteria to identify and diagnose this condition.
According to Prasad, mania may look like:
- Elevated mood with high levels of energy
- Irritability
- Anger
- Racing thoughts with rapid speech
- Grandiose or inflated sense of self
- Impulsive or risky behaviours
- Difficulty in concentration
Depression may look like:
- Feelings of pervasive sadness
- Helplessness, hopelessness or worthlessness
- Loss of interest in activities that were enjoyed earlier
- Significant changes in appetite and sleep
- Fatigue
- Loss of energy
- Difficulty in concentrating and remembering things
Prasad adds that it is important to understand that these symptoms may vary in intensity and be different for different people. Some of these symptoms can either occur simultaneously, or alternate rapidly between the two.
It goes with a streak of violence and danger
Some believe that people with mental illness, especially mood disorders, are inherently violent. Such depictions found in mainstream media shape our thinking about these conditions.
However, a study led by researcher Verena Rossa-Roccor and published in Frontiers Psychiatry journal showed that people with mental illness are statistically far more likely to be victims of crimes, rather than be their perpetrators.
Prasad adds that it is true that manic episodes sometimes occur with irritability or anger, but to believe that the affected people are violent is wrong.
People with mood disorders are naturally creative
The trope of the ‘tortured artist’ is a common motif in films and television shows. However, it leads many to presume that all artists are ‘moody’, or that all people who struggle with mood disorders are probably the ‘artist type’.
However, says Prasad, this is not always true. “While it is true that some may experience serious bursts of creativity during a manic episode, not everyone would possess such skills,” she says.
They cannot have successful relationships or careers
Such a presumption, says Prasad, is closely connected to bipolar disorder misconception which is that it is incurable.
“While it is true that it is a chronic condition, with appropriate treatment and support from family and friends, individuals can live fulfilling lives,” she says.
A combination of medication and psychotherapy has proven to be effective in managing the symptoms of such disorders. And while social support plays a significant role in recovery, appropriate management of symptoms means that individuals with bipolar disorder can lead fulfilling and complete lives.
