Bipolar disorder, which is also sometimes called manic depression, is a mood disorder that comes with extreme highs and lows. People with this condition often struggle to recognize how much their condition disrupts their daily life. At Carolina Dunes Behavioral Health, in Leland, North Carolina, we educate people with this condition and their loved ones, so that they can make informed decisions about their long-term care. Part of this education is sharing facts to dispel false information they may have heard about mental illness.
Bipolar Disorder Fact #1: Bipolar Disorder Is Not Fun
Sometimes, when people hear that a symptom of mania can be euphoria, they think that this condition is something enjoyable. Unfortunately, many people experience lows as intense as their highs, and sometimes they also experience psychosis, delusions, paranoia, rage, impulsivity, and racing thoughts that can make it impossible for them to function normally. When the mania ends, and they return to a depressed or symptom-free state, they then also have to deal with the consequences of the choices they made while manic, such as:
- School and work problems
- Legal issues
- Financial struggles
- Damaged relationships
Bipolar Disorder Fact #2: Bipolar Disorder Is a Type of Depression
The lows that people experience following a manic episode can include all of the same symptoms of major depressive disorder, including:
- Changes in sleep, weight, energy, and eating habits
- Negative feelings about themselves and the world around them
- Hopelessness, numbness, and loss of interest
- Difficulty focusing and making choices
- Physical pain such as headaches, cramps, and digestive issues
- Increased use of alcohol and other drugs
- Suicidal thoughts
Bipolar Disorder Fact # 3: Bipolar Disorder Is the Mental Illness With the Highest Rate of Suicide
People with bipolar disorders are between 10 and 30 times more likely than the general population to take their own lives. This is about 1 in 5 people with bipolar disorder. This statistic is terrifying, but there is good news.
Bipolar Disorder Fact #4: There Is Treatment Available
Not only are there treatment options, but they are effective, and they greatly reduce the risk of a person with bipolar disorder committing suicide. Starting treatment as quickly as possible following the initial onset of symptoms also reduces the risk of suicide. Some common treatment options for bipolar disorders include:
- Medication. Lithium is especially common and may be combined with other medications
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- Talk therapies
Bipolar Disorder Fact #5: There are Protective Factors That Reduce the Risk of Suicide in People With Bipolar Disorder
When the following are true for a person with bipolar disorder, they are at decreased risk of suicide:
- Good family support
- Strong social network
- Good use of adaptive coping strategies
- Strong perceived meaning of life
- Being a parent
Bipolar Disorder Fact #6: There Is a Genetic Component to Bipolar Disorder
If you have a blood relative with bipolar disorder, you have a higher chance of developing the condition than someone who does not have a biological family member with it. This does not mean that you will develop bipolar disorder, simply that this is something to be mindful of, when:
- Documenting your family medical history
- Talking to your doctor
- Making choices about lifestyle choices that can impact your mental health, such as substance use, sleep, exercise, and diet
- Planning your own family
Bipolar Disorder Fact #7: Sometimes Hospitalization Is Necessary
With the right treatment, people with bipolar disorders can often live normal, happy lives. Early on in their mental health journey and during periods of relapse, however, it may be necessary for individuals with this condition to receive acute care for:
- Severe depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Hallucinations or delusions
- Inability to sleep for days on end
- Other serious symptoms
It is not helpful to see this as the person, their support system, or their treatment failing. It is more productive to see this as an opportunity to learn more about their treatment and support needs and to modify their care plan accordingly.
At Carolina Dunes Behavioral Health, we treat adolescents and adults who require inpatient care for psychiatric disorders. Our team offers medical management, individual and group therapy, medication management, and other evidence-based treatments that support our patients in regaining their quality of life following the onset or relapse of a mental health condition.
