I know it’s one that both villainized and sensationalized by media, I want to know what it’s really like and not some fear-mongering missinformation a lot of people spread. Thanks
In: Biology
In addition to the first comment…Bipolar I is what most people think of when they hear about someone with bipolar disorder. Experiencing mania (mood really high and you feel kinda like a super hero in your own story), sometimes psychosis (maybe you see things that aren’t really there, hear voices, or get really scared and paranoid), depression (really down, feeling tired and sad, mind moving slow). Euthymia is an in-between time that is something like feeling “normal”.
Bipolar 2 doesn’t involve mania, but something called hypomania. Think of it as being a smaller kind of mania, and this is what I have experienced myself. It is like being in a really good mood and being able to do a lot of stuff, like I am super-charged. But like a lot of mental illness, it exists on a spectrum, and can be more intense than that for some people. I get a lot more depression, which is a thing that can make it really hard for doctors to figure out that it is bipolar disorder and not just major depressive disorder. Something else I experience is something called a mixed state. This is when you might be really agitated and talk really fast, have higher energy, but feel really angry and sad, sometimes all within a short amount of time. People with bipolar I can also experience this. And I must say it really sucks.
There are other kinds of “bipolar” that don’t really fit these categories, and one is called Cyclothymia. It doesn’t typically go to the highest highs or the lowest lows, but can be very uncomfortable for someone and they can still feel pretty moody.
Bipolar disorder often must be medicated in some way to help manage the highs and lows. Lithium is an older drug that a lot of people used to take, and it really works well for some people still. Some people take drugs called anti-psychotics, which can really help with mania and psychotic symptoms. Some people find that certain drugs for epilepsy can be good. Some people take a mix of things. Anti-depressants are typically not great for bipolar disorder, and can even trigger it in some people.
They think there is some connection between bipolar disorder and circadian rhythm. So along with medication, keeping a really regular sleeping and eating schedule, and getting plenty of light and dark is also helpful. This is what I have to focus a lot on since my body does not like any bipolar medication. Some scientists think there is also a link between bipolar and metabolism.
There is more, of course, but hopefully this is helpful.
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