Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).
It is often compared to a roller coaster’s ups and downs. This is a lifelong illness that has no cure BUT can be well managed with a treatment plan that often includes medicine and psychotherapy.
Basic overview of Bipolar Disorder.
Watch this one minute video about Bipolar Disorder created by NAMI. It will explain the very basics of Bipolar Disorder.
The different types of Bipolar Disorder:
Here are two different images that show the differences between the different types of Bipolar Disorder. I have seen the term “Bipolar Spectrum” used before and I think it is one way of looking at the differences. One of the things that make Bipolar so hard to treat is that no two people are the same. For example my cousin and I are both diagnosed Bipolar type I, but, while I take 4 different medications, she takes none. Everyone is different so be patient with yourself and your treatment. It might take years to finally find the treatment that works for you.
What I love about this image is that it shows an average person. As you can see it is normal to have some highs and lows, but when these swings start to disrupt daily life, it is a problem that needs to be addressed. Keep this in mind when you are seeking the “perfect” treatment. Nothing is going to make you happy 100% of the time. You are just trying to get to an average person’s normal mood swings.
I included this image because it clearly states the different types of Bipolar Disorder and gives a brief description. I also like how the moods are portrayed on the girl’s face. Being familiar with this terminology can help during doctor appointments.
Bipolar disorder 1 vs 2, which is worse? There is a common misconception that bipolar 2 is a milder form of bipolar 1 and therefore less of a problem. The reason bipolar 2 is not really a milder form of bipolar 1 is because people with bipolar 2 disorder tend to have a more chronic course to their illness. They tend to spend more time depressed than people with bipolar 1. So bipolar 1 may be more intense, but bipolar 2 can be more chronic and persistent. Also the number of lifetime episodes of hypomania and depression tends to be more for bipolar 2 disorder than for bipolar 1 disorder or major depression.
I love this infographic. It covers the common myths and facts of Bipolar Disorder. The myth that I think is most prominent is the idea that people can “snap out of” bipolar moods with more willpower. We cannot control our moods like that, it is a chemical imbalance in our brains.
While these are not all of the treatments for Bipolar Disorder, these are some of the most common. I have tried all of those except ECT. I definitely find medicine to be the most effective. However some people are disturbed by the idea of having to take medicine for the rest of their lives. As you can see, there are other treatments besides medicine that you could give a try.