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10 Common Myths About Bipolar Disorder

Like most individuals suffering from a mental illness, those with bipolar disorder must face down a litany of misunderstandings by the general public in addition to the everyday strains of life with a very serious condition. Formerly known as manic depression, those who fit the diagnostic criteria struggle against society as much as they have to struggle against themselves. Due to unfairly widespread misconceptions about what bipolar disorder actually means as well as societal stigmas attached to entering psychoanalytic treatment, many may run in fear from the help they sorely need. An individual who denies him- or herself therapy runs a much higher risk of self-mutilation, suicide, and substance abuse issues.

If humanity ever hopes to progress and become the bastion of tolerance if often wrongfully boasts about being, it must actively engage in finding ways to dispel the uninformed stigmas surrounding psychological therapy and the entire spectrum of mental illnesses. Tirelessly educating the populace on the realities faced by those saddled with the stresses of disorders such as bipolar, obsessive-compulsive, generalized anxiety, and others is the only hope society has to overcome this unjust collective road block. Through diligence and understanding, those suffering from mental illnesses can overcome the arbitrary restrictions society places around them and begin pursuing a better life without the added fear of marginalization.

1. Bipolar disorder is merely mood swings: Similar to clinical depression, the populace seems to perceive bipolar disorder as little more than a fancy term for the everyday emotional ebbs and flows of life. While it is true that bipolar disorder is, in fact, characterized by mood swings, it qualifies as a potentially dangerous mental illness due to their extreme intensity. Rather than the fluid, transient mindsets of the healthy, those suffering from bipolar disorder experience uncontrollable surges into forceful, severe episodes of mania, depression, irritability, lethargy, or an inexplicable blending of many vastly different emotions. It can be considered a corruption of mood swings more than anything else, with periods of euphoric bliss interspersed and dovetailing with periods of wrenchingly desperate depression. Mixed states do exist within bipolar disorder; it does not involve pure happiness juxtaposed with pure despair. Mentally healthy individuals do not experience emotions with this degree of sheer, occasionally disruptive force.

2. Manic episodes are characterized by extreme happiness : Many view bipolar disorder as a series of extremely high highs and extremely low lows with very little middle ground in between. Though it does involve intense mood swings, the manic episodes do not necessarily always involve a wholly positive and uplifting euphoria. Irritability, hyperactivity, racing thoughts, and other hallmarks of mania also factor into the equation as well – emotions and states not normally considered a terribly pleasant experience. Those ensconced in a manic state are also liable to give into id-driven impulses, such as reckless spending, substance abuse, unprotected sex, or ill-advised business prospects as well, occasionally brought on by delusions and hallucinations in severe cases. Mania certainly includes happiness, but it is by no means the sole aspect of the state. Rather, it embodies more of a jittery, rash, and almost uncontrollable blur of overwhelming mental, emotional, physical, and external stimuli that remains extremely difficult to slow down. Appropriately, this state is also referred to as hypomania within the psychological community – really a more appropriate and all-encompassing term as opposed to mania.

3. Bipolar shifts happen very quickly : Bipolar disorder can be further broken down into four different subcategories, which includes bipolar I, bipolar II, bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (BP-NOS), and cyclothemia. The diagnostic criteria for bipolar I requires a patient to experience a manic phase for at least one week and a depressive phase for at least two. Because of this, bipolar I disorder is considered the most dangerous of the four and occasionally results in hospitalization. However, bipolar II, BP-NOS, and cyclothemia can involve a regular pattern of episodes lasting for months or even years. Due to its extreme and intermittently debilitating or violent nature, bipolar I disorder tends to find itself pushed to the forefront and falsely held up as the norm for the other three. But the reality is that the shifts vary from individual case to individual case, some obviously more severe than others. Sharp jolts between manic and depressive phases do obviously occur, but they are not representative of the bipolar spectrum as a whole.



Source: wikipedia

4. It is okay to quit taking medication during manic episodes: Unfortunately, there are almost no proven methods to treat any of the bipolar disorders aside from some sort of medication. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, those suffering from the illness may require one or a combination of mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics, antidepressants, and/or sleep aids. As with many other disorders, it may take a few months for an individual to find a regimen that works – so it is important for the patient to adhere to a routine in order to establish whether or not a medication or cocktail of medications will be effective. However, prevailing misconceptions about the nature of these drugs leads many to prematurely abandon taking them upon the onset of a manic episode. As with all pharmaceuticals, just because the symptoms feel alleviated does not necessarily mean the job can be considered complete. Some suffering from bipolar disorder mistakenly believe that once the pleasure aspect of a manic phase begins to set in that a definitive, long-lasting cure has at last presented itself and medication is no longer needed. Still others enjoy the mania and come to believe that they only need drugs during depressive phases and depressive phases alone.

Due to extremely delicate nature of psychological pharmaceuticals, quitting a medication regimen without the approval and care of an experienced psychiatrist can potentially result in physically, emotionally, and mentally traumatic situations. Even mild bipolar cases run the risk of growing ever more severe when a patient ceases to take his or her medication properly. No matter the motivation, it is never okay to quit taking prescriptions – even sleep aids – at any point without a qualified professional’s guidance. Spontaneously ending a lithium, valproic acid, or divalproex sodium routine has been known to worsen symptoms of depression, cause suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and result in more pronounced, intense, and rapid mood swings than usual.

5. Bipolar disorder is very rare : 2.3 million Americans, or .747% of the population, suffer from bipolar disorder. While not as prevalent as anxiety disorders, eating disorders, or clinical depression, bipolar disorder still affects a serious number of individuals every year. Unfortunately, because it shares symptoms with other mental illnesses, a proper diagnosis may sadly take years – thus making it entirely possible that many who struggle with bipolar disorder may not be fully accounted for. Some psychologists estimate that up to 2% of Americans may possibly display its associated symptoms to a disconcerting degree. The roots of the disorder stem from genetic factors as well as abnormal brain function, shape, and/or chemistry, with the majority of symptoms emerging in a patient’s early 20s.



Source:  wikipedia

6. Bipolar disorder is not an illness :The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision categorizes bipolar disorder under the broader heading of mood disorders, alongside depression and mood disorder not otherwise specified (MD-NOS). It is further broken down into four more subcategories – bipolar disorder I, bipolar disorder II, bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (BP-NOS), and cyclothymic disorder, each of which having their own individual diagnostic criteria. Bipolar disorder I can further be categorized under one of the following headings: most recent episode depressed, most recent episode hypomanic, most recent episode manic, most recent episode mixed, most recent episode unspecified, and single manic episode.

As of July 2009, research within the psychological community has discovered a genetic link between schizophrenia and the bipolar spectrum. This discovery is leading scientists and psychologists to rethink the definition of the disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition will not make its public debut until 2012, and those involved in its compilation must sign a nondisclosure agreement in order to participate. Whether or not they elect to file bipolar disorder under the same heading as schizophrenia – currently labeled as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders – remains to be seen. It is possible that more research may alight that denies or reinforces the links between the two conditions, influencing the ultimate decision. Regardless of the eventual outcome, however, bipolar disorder is listed in an officially recognized diagnostic manual in the field of professional medicine. Because of this, it fits the profile of an illness and should be treated as nothing less.

7. People with bipolar disorder are inherently unstable or violent : Like all other mental illnesses, bipolar disorder comes packaged with its own set of stereotypes stemming from society’s perceptions of the most dangerous cases. Many perceive bipolar disorder as characterized by highly erratic behavior, even violence. While the illness itself does involve worse mood swings than average, milder cases may be difficult to detect when an individual does not display severe outward signs. They may appear more depressed or hyperactive than psychologically normal individuals, but not necessarily embarking on week-long manic bacchanals of reckless hedonism during manic phases, either. The truth is, elements such as instability and interpersonal or intrapersonal abuse vary from patient to patient. Some do, in fact, engage in highly ill-advised, dangerous behaviors that pose serious threats to themselves and others. Outright denying the possibility of violence or unpredictability would do a disservice to those earnestly seeking a diagnosis – they can certainly be present and act as indicators that an individual does actually suffer from bipolar disorder. However, what makes diagnoses tricky is the fact that these factors may not present themselves in every case.

8. Most people with bipolar disorder are women : Bipolar disorder manifests itself about equally between men and women. Like more common mental illnesses such as depression, women are more likely to seek professional therapy, which leads to skewed perceptions of the disease as decidedly feminine. Unfortunately, disconcertingly prevailing social norms stigmatize men undergoing psychoanalysis as weak and inferior individuals, and therefore render them more likely to turn to substance abuse and suicide than women.

Another root cause of this misconception stems from the fact that many hormonal disorders in women share a few common symptoms as the bipolar spectrum. This leads to many improper diagnoses of both issues, with some women suffering from issues in their hormone levels finding themselves mistakenly treated for bipolar disorder and vice versa. In actuality, hormone balances play no role in the onset of the mental illness. Genetics and brain chemistry, shape, and activity stand as the true source of bipolar disorder.



Source: wikipedia

9. Prolonged substance abuse can eventually lead into bipolar disorder : If left untreated, or if a medication routine spontaneously ends, those suffering from bipolar disorder run a very high risk of resorting to abusing drugs or alcohol as a means of controlling the symptoms. Men especially fall prey to this tragic trope due to social stigmas labeling therapy as a last resort for the frail and helpless. While studies have proven that extended periods of substance abuse may eventually worsen the symptoms of bipolar disorder, the illness itself does not spring forth from an addiction to alcohol or drugs. This notion comes about from the undeniable link between both diseases, where those suffering from bipolar disorder slow themselves down or speed themselves up with dangerous external means. The mental illness can eventually lead to substance abuse issues, but substance abuse issues do not stand as a root cause of their plight. As mentioned earlier, bipolar disorder comes about via a conduit of brain functions and genetics – drugs and alcohol play no part in its formation, though they do enhance the symptoms in a highly negative way.

10. People with bipolar disorder cannot hold down jobs : Another misconception about bipolar disorder stems from the same source as the one which touts its inherent instability and violence. Once again, people come to perceive the more extreme cases as wholly representative of the entire spectrum. Only individuals suffering from the most severe instances of bipolar cannot function well enough to work a steady job. It is entirely possible for the disordered to pursue and excel in their elected career path. However, doing so most frequently requires a disciplined adherence to an appropriate medication routine as well as regular psychotherapy sessions. Like workers without the disease, those with bipolar disorder can secure and thrive within an industry provided they stick to the principles of hard work, integrity, and determination both inside and outside the office.

Because of the potentially dangerous risks of suicide, self-mutilation, and substance abuse, it is integral that society begins to educate itself on the truths behind mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder. By unraveling stigmas and pervasive misconceptions, those suffering from the disease can step out of the shadows and into a more hopeful future.