Understanding Bipolar Disorder

“Bipolar” is commonly used to refer to someone who acts hot and cold, popularized by Katy Perry’s hit single, “Hot N Cold.” To be hot and cold, in the context of a relationship, is to sometimes act close to your significant other, but then in the next moment to pull away. In general, it’s someone who acts one way and then suddenly acts in a different way later, and then keeps switching back and forth. It is usually a source of vexation to people when they have people in their lives who act this way, and they often use the term “bipolar” to categorize these individuals. However, true bipolar disorder is more than just having capricious whims. Bipolar disorder is a serious condition that affects many more people than you might think, most recently Catherine Zeta Jones, the famous actress. Famous and non-famous people alike suffer from bipolar disorder, and the public would do well to inform themselves of what this mental disorder truly entails.

What is bipolar disorder? It is a condition in which an individual alternates between periods of mania and depression. Bipolar disorder is sometimes also referred to as “manic depression,” but the term “bipolar” more accurately reflects the distinction between manic and depressive episodes that a person with bipolar disorder experiences. During mania, a person may experience elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, increased impulsivity, racing thoughts, rapid speech, and also irritability and stubbornness. In contrast, during a depressive episode a person may experience decreased mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, changes in appetite, changes in sleeping, fatigue, low self-esteem, lack of concentration and thoughts of death. Bipolar disorder is classified into 3 categories: bipolar I, bipolar II and bipolar NOS (not otherwise specified). An individual with bipolar I has experienced at least 1 manic episode or mixed episode (symptoms of both mania and depression). A person with bipolar II has experienced at least 1 hypomanic episode (manic episode without psychotic symptoms), and a person with bipolar NOS experiences symptoms of bipolar disorder that doesn’t fall into the I or II category.

Being “bipolar” is much more than just being unpredictable. Bipolar disorder is a serious condition that can be very debilitating to people and their loved ones. By recognizing this illness for what it is, we are one step closer towards understanding bipolar disorder and decreasing the stigma that individuals with bipolar disorder face.