August 10th, 2024
As a mental health provider, I have witnessed a wide variety of emotions as people become diagnosed with bipolar disorder. From my own observations the two emotions I tend to see most are fear and relief.
Some people instantly become fearful and scared of what this may mean for them. They think back on all of the things they have heard about people with bipolar disorder and all of the stigma attached to it. “How will my family and friends react to this? Will people treat me differently? Will I start to act differently?”
The second emotion I often see is one of relief. “Finally, there is an answer and an explanation to why I have been feeling the way that I have. Finally, we can create a plan and start making progress towards an overall healthier and more positive lifestyle.”
Regardless of your initial reaction, it is important to understand the facts of bipolar disorder. Our society has started treating the disorder as a dramatic and instant shift in mood from extreme happiness to instant depression, or overwhelming happiness to intense anger.
Even though bipolar disorder is a mood disorder, the symptoms are oftentimes not as extreme as people believe them to be. And with proper bipolar disorder treatment, the majority of people that have this disorder are able to live fulfilling and productive lives.
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder typically characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs, known as mania or hypomania, and lows, known as depression. These mood swings can affect energy levels, behavior, sleep patterns, and overall ability to function.
However, not everyone experiences extreme mood swings as bipolar disorder does come in a spectrum. Some individuals may experience less severe bipolar disorder symptoms.
One of the main things that can be done to help break the stigma around bipolar disorder is being mindful of how it is talked about.
People will often say things like, “Did you know that person is bipolar?” Referring to someone as being bipolar, as opposed to having bipolar disorder, can make that person feel like their identity has changed. Having bipolar disorder does not mean that person’s personality has changed and that they are an entirely different person. Being mindful of how someone is referring to a disorder can go a long way.
Another thing that can be done is to talk about it more. There still tends to be a negative stigma around mental health and disorders such as bipolar disorder. People sometimes act like it is a touchy subject or something that is taboo to talk about.
With an estimated 4.4% of adults in the U.S. experiencing bipolar disorder at some time in their lives, shouldn’t they be able to talk about their struggles just like anyone else with medical-related issues? Be supportive to those that you know who struggle with bipolar disorder or any other mental health disorder. It can make a big difference in their lives.
Lastly, educate yourself so you can share your knowledge with others who have false judgments of the disorder. If you are struggling with bipolar disorder symptoms yourself, talk to a mental health professional. Even though living with bipolar disorder can become very manageable, it can definitely be scary at first. Mental health professionals can help you obtain the proper bipolar disorder treatments and prescribe bipolar disorder medication to learn coping skills and live a healthy, positive life.
In order to help you understand the diagnosis, let’s go over some of the more common bipolar disorder symptoms. Recognizing the signs of bipolar disorder is crucial for early diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are some key signs to watch for:
Manic Episodes:
Hypomanic Episodes:
Depressive Episodes:
Mixed Episodes:
If you or a loved one is noticing bipolar disorder symptoms, Clarity Clinic is here to help. Our clinics have the best psychiatrists, therapists, and psychologists to perform Bipolar disorder tests, offer bipolar disorder medication, and provide the proper therapy.
With mental health clinics located in the Loop, River North, Evanston, Lakeview Belmont, Lakeview Broadway, and Arlington Heights, Chicago, you can easily find a clinic near you.
Clarity Clinic not only provides the best treatment for bipolar disorder, we also treat a wide variety of disorders such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, PTSD, and more. Give us a call at (312) 815-9660 to ask about our range of mental health services like TMS therapy, PHP/IOP programs, talk therapy, and psychological evaluations.
Take the first step to understanding and treating bipolar disorder with Clarity Clinic today!
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