Most people think that bipolar disorder is the same as simple mood swings. Myths like this keep sufferers from being taken seriously. Worse, it prevents them from getting help. Suffering from bipolar disorder, or know someone who is? Learn the truth behind some of the most common bipolar myths.
Top 6 Bipolar Disorder Myths
Bipolar disorder is the fourth most common mental health issue in the world. Despite this, it’s still surrounded by a lot of myths:
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Myth: Bipolar disorder is just another word for “mood swings.”
Fact: First of all, bipolar disorder is different from mood swings. It involves changes in activity, energy, and sleep over a long period. Unlike regular mood swings, bipolar mania and depression can keep a person from living a full and healthy life.
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Myth: Bipolar disorder is just the same as mania.
Fact: Bipolar disorder does involve many mood changes. But unlike the myth, mania is only one of them.
Mania is an unusually high mood that gives people an inflated sense of self. Due to this, they take risks that hurt themselves and other people. Hypomania, on the other hand, is similar but milder. Finally, depression refers to a severely low mood that lasts for days, weeks, or months.
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Myth: There is only one type of bipolar disorder.
Fact: Bipolar disorder actually has four basic types. People with the condition experience them differently. The types of bipolar disorder include:
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Bipolar I – The person has one or more manic and depressive episodes, and can include hallucinations or delusions.
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Bipolar II – The person has at least one hypomanic episode and many depressive episodes.
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Cyclothymia – The person has several periods of depressive and hypomanic symptoms. These show for at least two years. Cyclothymia is also called cyclothymic disorder.
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Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified – The person shows symptoms that do not follow the pattern of the other types.
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Myth: The highs and lows of the disorder are regular.
Fact: it’s different per person. As a result, some people feel depression and mania right after the other. Others go through it in phases.
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Myth: Bipolar disorder is rare.
Fact: There were about four million cases of mood conditions, such as bipolar, in the UK in 2013. So far, around 46 million people in the world had the condition in 2017.
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Myth: Diet and workouts can cure bipolar disorder.
Fact: Bipolar disorder has no cure yet, which means it’s for life. Treating it usually involves talk therapy, medicine, and healthy living.
24/7 Listening Support for Better Mental Health
Talking for Therapy is here for people with bipolar disorder. We know it’s a hard journey. For that reason, we always make sure you can talk to us 24/7. Let us help you live your best life with kind and gentle listening support.
Please reach out to us if you’re having a mental health crisis, need emotional support, and more. Schedule your call now, and let’s talk about YOU.
