Bipolar Disorder - Awareness
Trigger warning.
A person with any kind of mental disorder which for this case is bipolar disorder does not enjoy their experience. Its super easy for an outsider to judge the individual's situation but nobody can truly ever understand what it feels like to be conflicted by your own body and mind.
Its like a constant war inside me; both sides trying to dominate.
Over-reacting, Attention-seeking are some words that most of the human population tends to throw around without realising how their words may affect a person.
Its funny how a mere combination of words can make or break you.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. A person suffering from Bipolar Disorder goes through tremendous shifts in mood from depressive to manic/hypomanic states which are usually separated by neutral moods. Often individuals describe it as a roller-coaster ride, living in a fear of relapsing into different episodes.
Types of Bipolar Disorders:
Bipolar I disorder involves periods of severe mood episodes from mania to depression.
Bipolar II disorder is a milder form of mood elevation, involving milder episodes of hypomania that alternate between periods of severe depression.
Cyclothymic disorder describes brief periods of hypomanic symptoms alternating between brief periods of depressive symptoms that are not as extensive or as long-lasting as seen in full hypomanic episodes or full depressive episodes.
Mixed features refers to the occurrence of simultaneous symptoms of opposite mood polarities during manic, hypomanic or depressive episodes. It's marked by high energy, sleeplessness, and racing thoughts. At the same time, the person may feel hopeless, despairing, irritable, and suicidal.
Rapid-cycling is a term that describes having four or more mood episodes within a 12-month period. Episodes must last for some minimum number of days in order to be considered as distinct episodes. Some people also experience changes in polarity from high to low or vice-versa within a single week, or even during a single day. Women appear to be more likely than men, to have rapid cycling. A rapid-cycling pattern increases the risk for severe depression and suicide attempts.
How does the rate of suicide increase due to rapid cycling?
A person in their depressive episode is challenged by a lot of negative thoughts that may include suicidal thoughts. It can be really harmful if a person switches into a manic episode while having these thoughts since it will make it easier for them to act on it due to elevated energy levels and the sense of I can do it all.
BIPOLAR SELF HELP
🌸 Keep a daily journal which can track your mood helps in monitoring periods of extremely high or low mood, and the cause of it. This tracker can further help us in avoiding triggering situations in the near future.
🌸 Developing a schedule - Routine is important in keeping your mood stable. Organising a schedule and trying to stick to it regardless of your mood, can help in maintaining stability.
🌸 Take your time to make decisions. Or ask others such as a trusted family member or friend to help you make decisions if youre feeling impulsive.
🌸 Build a good support network. Family and friends can help you manage your day to day symptoms by giving an outsiders perspective on your mood, and they can be there when you need to talk about your more difficult moments.
🌸 Join a support group. It can be really reassuring to hear from people going through similar experiences. Support groups can offer great comfort.
🌸 Alternative therapies. Some people have found things like yoga, pilates or other regular exercise helpful as a way to help manage their mood.
🌸 Relaxation is great for helping reduce stress.
Discussion questions:
1. What does your bipolar disorder look like? Which of the episodes are most difficult for you to deal with?
2. Treatment for bipolar disorder in general can be very multifaceted, and we often need a strong support system around us. What does your support system and treatment look like right now?
3. In your experience, what has lasted longer, your depressive episode or your manic/hypomanic episodes? Usually for how long do they last?
4. Do you experience mixed episodes? If yes, how would you describe your experience during such an episode?
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@Isha2017
Thank you this is really helpful
@Isha2017
This amazing Isha! I'm so happy that you made this. In order to start recovering, we must try to understand things and how to combat them :3 Awesome! Very informative and helpful, a great resource. Thank you so much for making it. :3 *hugs* 
Great post! Thanks for writing it! You did a wonderful job! Here are my answers to your questions:
1. What does your bipolar disorder look like? Which of the episodes are most difficult for you to deal with?
I've never really embraced my bipolar diagnosis because I've always focused on the BPD. But now that I'm getting the BPD under control, the bipolar is starting to be a little more evident to me. I get shifts in mood from depressed to hypomanic at random it seems. With my BPD mood swings I can figure out what my trigger is, but with my bipolar mood swings I'm lost and never know what caused them and they seem to last much longer. The depressive episodes are definitely the most difficult for me to deal with because the hopelessness gets so overwhelming and feels like it's never going to go away.
2. Treatment for bipolar disorder in general can be very multifaceted, and we often need a strong support system around us. What does your support system and treatment look like right now?
I have my therapists, case manager, and psychiatrist providing professional mental health support for me. I'm taking an antidepressant and a mood stabilizer and it seems to be helping quite a bit. I also have my family that cares about me and loves me (even if they don't know how to support me)... and I have my friend Hayley who works in the mental health field, she seems to understand me the best. I also have a group therapy I go to and can connect with the other members from my group.
3. In your experience, what has lasted longer, your depressive episode or your manic/hypomanic episodes? Usually for how long do they last?
My depressive episodes are way longer. My depressive episodes used to last months, then weeks, now most of the time I've got them down to just lasting a few days. Though I've been in a depressive episode for a couple of weeks now. My manic episodes don't last very long because I eventually drain myself of all of my energy and I end up crashing.
4. Do you experience mixed episodes? If yes, how would you describe your experience during such an episode?
I've experienced some mixed episodes. They're confusing. Part of me is just so depressed I don't want to do anything and I just want to lay in bed, but my thoughts race constantly and I feel like I need to be doing something and I don't know how to describe these episodes really.
1. What does your bipolar disorder look like? Which of the episodes are most difficult for you to deal with?
My diagnosis is difficult primarily because I am not dealing with Bipolar Disorder on its own. I have secondary diagnoses as well such as PTSD and anxiety so severe they defined it as panic. Personally, PTSD impacts me the most right now because it results in nightmares which can lead to panic attacks. In terms of Bipolar Disorder, the symptoms that bring me the most distress are paranoia and psychotic features such as hallucinations. Not to be insensitive, but I'd take depression to these any day.
2. Treatment for bipolar disorder in general can be very multifaceted, and we often need a strong support system around us. What does your support system and treatment look like right now?
My support system consists mostly of a close family friend and Depression Bipolar Support Alliance local support groups. I have been in and out of therapy and on and off medication for years, but prefer this peer support model because it is relatable and FREE. I tend to be somewhat of a lone wolf, especially when it comes to seeking support. But I am working on that.
3. In your experience, what has lasted longer, your depressive episode or your manic/hypomanic episodes? Usually for how long do they last?
This is difficult to answer because I experience mixed states and rapid cycling which means I never stay anywhere for long. While this can be highly distressing, my final peace is generally the concept that this too shall pass.
4. Do you experience mixed episodes? If yes, how would you describe your experience during such an episode?
Primarily, yes. These are difficult because you may have all the energy and racing/disturbing thoughts associated with mania while also feeling hopeless and irritable with sleep disturbances. This leads to a greater risk of suicide. Sleep has become so essential to my overall wellness since sleep deprivation can trigger an episode. Still, insomnia is a symptom associated with Bipolar Disorder so it's a delicate cycle.
