Bipolar Disorder: A Misunderstood Disorder!

It is important during Mental Health Awareness Month (May) to think about what you might not know about mental health.

Misinformation is rampant across social media, TV, movies, and even the news

Take time to learn what terms like Anxiety Disorder and Depressive Disorder means…or PTSD and Panic Disorder might mean. That can help you gain perspectives you may have never had before. May help you find empathy for people around you suffering from invisible mental health problems. Or you may notice symptoms that coincide with your own thoughts, physical symptoms and behaviors.

Between 4(% and 19% will complete suicide BUT maintenance of social functioning, occupational functioning can reduce the risk (Bipolar Coach)

Also a great time to look into how to maintain your own mental health – prevention is key as anyone can develop depression or an anxiety disorder with the right combination of stressors.

Bipolar Disorder is one of the most misunderstood disorders. It is often confused for Borderline Personality Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a Mood Disorder that affects over 5 million adults in US alone. It consists of depressive episodes (not much different than the Depression we all know to be Major Depressive Disorder) but does have some months of lack of symptoms or very controlled symptoms and then sometimes days/weeks of a Manic Episode.

The “swing” between the moods are not usually within the same day – and usually have weeks to months between the swings

Consumers with Bipolar Disorder face up to ten years of coping with symptoms before getting an accurate diagnosis, with only one in four receiving an accurate diagnosis in less than 3 years. (DBSA, 2000)

Studies show it can be quite difficult to get an accurate diagnosis or treatment with Bipolar Disorder

There can be several years of suffering, uncertainty, and stress. Often this comes at a cost…the sooner a diagnosis, the sooner the treatment, the sooner to avoiding psychiatric hospitalizations & other stressful overwhelming incidents.

As a psychiatrist, I have had the privilege of treating and getting to know many bipolar women newly diagnosed with bipolar that are ambitious, talented and aiming for a higher education or professional careers or other goals that require a lot of consistency, resilience and hard work.