8 Common Misconceptions About Bipolar Disorder

What is Bipolar Disorder?

There are a lot of misconceptions about bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mental disorder that causes extreme highs and lows and changes in sleep, energy, thought, and behavior.

Bipolar disorder, previously called manic depression, is a mental illness mood disorder that causes extreme mood swings, including highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that affects your mood and energy levels, which may fluctuate from one extreme to the other. Unlike merely experiencing a swing in mood, each extreme episode of bipolar disorder can last several weeks (or longer).

A person with bipolar disorder experiences changes in mood, energy, and activity levels, which can make daily living difficult.

A person with bipolar disorder can experience distinctly manic or depressive states, but they may also experience extended periods – sometimes years – of no symptoms.

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder characterized by extreme swings between a manic and a depressive emotional state.

A person with the disorder can have periods of highly elevated or irritable moods, defined as manic episodes, and also have episodes of depression.

There are also misconceptions when it comes to the expectations and reality of bipolar disorder. Here are 8 common misconceptions about bipolar disorder.

8 Common Misconceptions About Bipolar Disorder

1. People who have bipolar disorder don’t get depressed.

People who have bipolar disorder do not always experience depression. In fact, many people with bipolar disorder do not experience any depressive symptoms at all. However, if they do experience symptoms of depression, these symptoms may be milder than those experienced by someone without bipolar disorder.

2. People who have bipolar don’t need medication.

Many people with bipolar disorder take medications to help them manage their moods. Medications can be helpful in treating some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder, including depression, mania, and anxiety.

3. People With Bipolar Disorder are Violent.

Bipolar disorder does not cause violence. Violence is caused by factors outside of the individual’s control. If someone with bipolar disorder becomes angry or aggressive, he or she should seek treatment immediately.

4. People With Bipolar Disorder Can’t Work.

Some people with bipolar disorder cannot work due to the effects of their illness. Others find that working helps them cope with their condition.

5. People With Bipolar Disorder Just Need to Learn How to Deal With Their Emotions.

It is true that people with bipolar disorder often feel sad or anxious. But this doesn’t mean that they need to change their personality or become less emotional. Instead, they need to learn how to recognize and respond to negative feelings.

6. People With Bipolar Disorder Aren’t Really Sick.

People with bipolar disorder are very ill. Many people with bipolar disorder live with serious physical problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

7. People With Bipolar Disorder Shouldn’t be Treated With Antidepressants.

Antidepressants are sometimes prescribed to treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder. These drugs can be effective in helping people with bipolar disorder feel better. However, they are not recommended for everyone with bipolar disorder.

8. People With Bipolar Disorder Should Avoid Alcohol.

Alcohol use can worsen symptoms of bipolar disorder. Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of suicide in people with bipolar disorder.

Conclusion

The main reality of bipolar disorder is that it is a treatable condition. In most people, bipolar disorder can be managed and maintained with the proper medications and therapy. Sometimes it might take a while to find the right types of medications. It may take a test and trial type basis to find which medicines work the best. Every person with bipolar disorder is different so it will take different types of medications and therapy for different people. The key is not stop until you find what works for you.