Sure, if there’s a family history of bipolar disorder, then there’s an increased chance of having it, but studies conducted on identical twins have shown that if one twin is bipolar, the disorder does not always develop in the other twin, even though they have the exact same genes. Both men and women can be diagnosed as bipolar and diagnoses usually take place just before or in their early twenties.
3. Bipolar disorder is NOT multiple personality (dissociative identity) disorder
These two disorders are usually linked because of the split personality element. However, people who are bipolar have highs and lows (but still know they are the same person) whereas people with multiple personality disorder (MPD) can think they are more than one person, with distinctly different personalities, traits and memories.
MPD is extremely rare whereas bipolar disorder affects approximately one in every 100 people.
4. Bipolar symptoms: the highs and the lows
The main symptoms of bipolar disorder are the highs and lows; the highs being mania and the lows being a depressive state. Let’s break it down.
The ups/highs (manic state)
Bipolar disorder is sometimes misdiagnosed as schizophrenia because of the following symptoms which connect the two:
• Feeling extremely happy or high, bubbly and outgoing for a long period of time
• Feeling irritable
• Fast talking and jumping from subject to subject
• Getting easily distracted
• Taking on new projects, increasing activities out of the blue
• Extreme restlessness
• Not being tired and sleeping very little
• An unrealistic belief of being able to take on the world
• Being impulsive
• Engaging in high-risk pleasurable activities (high spending, drug/alcohol abuse and sexual promiscuity)
The downs/lows (depressive state)
When in a bipolar ‘low’, the symptoms are very similar to clinical depression, which is why bipolar disorder is sometimes misdiagnosed as as such.
• Lack of or too much sleep
• Feeling sad and/or hopeless
• Loss of interest in formerly enjoyable activities (ie sex)
• No energy
• No desire to even get out of bed
• Change in appetite/weight
• Feeling worthless or guilty for no reason
• Lack of concentration
• Indecisiveness
• Suicidal thoughts/thoughts of death
5. You can have bipolar ups and downs at the same time
Having mania and depression at the same time is possible with bipolar disorder and this is called a ‘mixed state’. So, while feeling ‘high’, sleepless, agitated, energetic, and having lack of concentration, you could also feel sad, have no motivation and/or have suicidal thoughts.
6. You can be bipolar and NOT actually have mood swings
You could, in fact, feel absolutely great. This could be something called ‘hypomania’, which is a really toned-down version of bipolar mania. If you’re having a hypomanic episode, you might feel really good and highly productive and that you are functioning really well.
If this is out of the norm for someone with bipolar, a doctor should be consulted because without proper treatment, it could develop into severe mania or depression.
7. Substances can trigger a bipolar manic depressive episode
These include:
• Drugs like cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines
• Over-the-counter drugs in large doses
• Medicine for thyroid issues and corticosteroids
• Excessive amounts of caffeine (although normal amounts are fine)
8. People with bipolar disorder and more likely to have substance abuse issues
The reasons for this are as yet scientifically unclear, but it is thought that sufferers of bipolar disorder are more likely to want to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol.
9. Bipolar sufferers are also at higher risk for other diseases
Thyroid issues, headaches and migraines, diabetes, heart disease and obesity are a few of the other illnesses which could result from treatment for bipolar disorder, as well as causing some of the same symptoms as the highs and lows (mania or depression).
10. There are five variations of bipolar disorder:
Starting from the mildest to the most severe, the five types of bipolar disorder are:
(i) Cyclothymia/cyclothymic disorder
Cyclothymia is mild form of bipolar disorder with ongoing, long-term symptoms (minimum 2 years) which aren’t severe enough to be classed as bipolar disorder.
(ii) Bipolar I disorder
Manic or mixed episodes that last a minimum of seven days usually requiring immediate hospital care.
(iii) Bipolar II disorder
Depressive and hypomanic episodes with no manic or mixed episodes.
(iv) Bipolar disorder (not otherwise specified)
Some bipolar symptoms exist but not enough to be classed as bipolar I or II.
(v) Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder
Rapid-cycling is when someone has four or more episodes of major depression, hypomania, mania, or mixed states within a year. Rapid-cycling can come and go and is more common in women than men.
11. The most effective test to diagnose bipolar disorder is seeing a psychiatrist
Although many tests can be carried out including brain scans, blood tests and physical examinations, none are as effective in correctly diagnosing bipolar disorder as having a thorough interview session with a psychiatrist.
The shrink will take the patient’s family and personal history and will find out everything they need to know to be able to diagnose the patient and create the best treatment plan.
12. Although bipolar disorder can not be cured, it can be treated
Patients are advised to keep a life chart to help their doctor and psychiatrist provide the best possible treatment. There’s a wide array of bipolar disorder treatments available, from scary sounding ones like electroconvulsive therapy, atypical antipsychotics, and light therapy to the more common mood stabilisers, anti-depressants, sleep supplements, cognitive behavioural therapy, and psycho-education (just getting yourself fully in the know). There are also some new, up and coming bipolar disorder treatments that are gaining popularity.
A photo posted by Beth Evans (@bethdrawsthings) on Oct 10, 2015 at 7:02am PDT
13. Bipolar disorder can get worse if left undiagnosed/untreated
Although patients will often opt for self-help, it is advised that bipolar disorder should not go untreated as episodes could become more frequent or severe over time. The sooner it is diagnosed and treated, the sooner someone with the condition can go about living a normal, healthy and productive life.
14. Here are 20 celebrities with bipolar disorder
1. Catherine Zeta-Jones
2. Demi Lovato
3. Jean-Clause Van Damme
4. Linda Hamilton
5. Sinéad O’Connor
6. Azealia Banks
7. ussell Brand
8. Chris Brown
9. Jim Carrey
10. DMX
11. Tom Fletcher
12. Stephen Fry
13. Macy Gray
14. Kerry Katona
15. Gail Porter
16. Axl Rose
17. Rene Russo
18. Nina Simone
19.P ete Wentz
20. Britney Spears
15. There’s a plethora of information available on bipolar disorder
And here are a few to get you started:
National Institute of Mental Health
Psych Central
The NHS
For something a bit lighter, check out this blog by bipolar sufferer Beth Evans. It’ll make you laugh and cry. At the same time.