Started by the International Society for Bipolar Disorders, World Bipolar Day occurs on March 30th each year. In 2014, the Society set aside that day to focus on eliminating the stigma associated with bipolar disorder, to raise bipolar disorder awareness, and to increase support for individuals challenged by the disorder.
March 30th is known as bipolar disorder awareness day around the world. Various mental health organizations encourage communities to host walks to raise bipolar disorder awareness and to host fundraising events for the condition. Communities at large are encouraged to learn more about bipolar disorder and to share resources and information to help reduce stigma.
Bipolar Myths
As is true of many mental health issues, the public at large holds many misconceptions about this condition and bipolar myths. A few examples of bipolar myths are:
- Bipolar disorders are rare. False. The reality is that bipolar disorders are a common condition that has an average eight-year delay between onset and diagnosis.
- Mood swings indicate bipolar disorder. False. Normal mood swings do not last long, are mild, and result from everyday events. Extreme mood swings of prolonged duration are a hallmark of bipolar disorder. The highs are intense and often referred to as manic. The low mood swings arc from manic to depression. These extreme mood swings disrupt the functioning of the person’s everyday life.
- Bipolar disorder only comes in one type. False. The main types of bipolar disorder come in three categories: Bipolar I disorder, Bipolar II disorder, and Cyclothymic disorder, as well as three recognized subtypes.
- Patients switch mood swings frequently. True, but the frequency varies from person to person. Some people have only a few episodes, while others experience what mental health professionals call rapid cycling. Rapid cycling is defined as four or more episodes within 12 months. The mood swings are more intense and more disruptive than normal mood swings.
- The manic mood swing is fun. False. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness that may cause euphoria at the start of a manic mood swing, but the intense high can become violent and dangerous. The manic mood swings feel debilitating.
- Children cannot have bipolar disorder. False. More commonly diagnosed in young adults, children and adolescents may develop this mental disorder. It is important to note that the symptoms that appear in children and adolescents may differ from those found in adults.
Along with rapid mood swings, symptoms in children include irritability, difficulty concentrating, impulsive and risky behavior, trouble sleeping, and changes in eating habits.
Facts about Bipolar Disorder
Facts are comforting. They also help to educate others about mental health disorders, especially to dispel myths and erase stigma. The following are a few facts about bipolar disorder:
- In some cases, bipolar disorder is genetic. Mental health practitioners see bipolar disorders running in families. In other words, scientists believe that some people with specific genetic markers have a better chance of developing bipolar disorders.
- Extreme mood swings are not the only symptom of bipolar disorder. During manic phases, some sufferers exhibit impulsive behavior, such as spending excessive amounts of money, gambling at the horse track and casinos, hypersexual behaviors, and substance abuse. During depressive swings, one person may feel sad while another stays housebound for days. Bipolar symptoms are cyclical; they vary from person to person and are not caused by outside factors but by internal events.
- People diagnosed with bipolar I disorder have had a manic episode lasting seven days or more. Alternatively, the manic episode must be severe enough to require medical intervention. Bipolar I sufferers also have depressive episodes that continue for at least two weeks.
- People with bipolar II disorder experience less intense manic episodes, followed by depressive episodes.
- People with Cyclothymic bipolar disorder experience manic and depressive episodes that are less intense and last for shorter periods.
- Seek professional help if you or a loved one shows symptoms of bipolar disorder, especially if you are unclear about what is going on. A mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, primary care physician, or licensed clinical social worker, will evaluate your current condition to render a diagnosis as to whether your symptoms are the result of a clinical disorder.
- Without treatment, bipolar disorder can have a devastating impact on a person’s everyday life. For example, manic mood swings that result in extreme gambling episodes or extreme spending can have a devastating financial result.
It bears repeating: Communities need to educate residents about facts stemming from bipolar disorder. Dispelling bipolar myths will help eliminate the stigma.
Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder
Treatment options for bipolar disorder may include a combination of medicine, psychotherapy (or talk therapy), and changes in a person’s self-care and other lifestyle habits. Mental health professionals design each person’s treatment plan to reflect their individual needs and goals.
The good news is that doctors can treat most bipolar disorder sufferers successfully.
Bipolar Disorder Support
Bipolar disorder support therapy comes in several forms. Identifying the form of therapy that is best for each patient depends on the patient’s personal needs. Just as therapy practices are not all-purpose shops, neither are the people who suffer from bipolar disorder cookie-cutter sufferers. That means that bipolar disorder support therapy is unique to each sufferer. A mental health professional is the best person to determine the best treatment option for an individual patient. That is because one therapy style that works for one person may not be the best solution for another.
One type of therapy is psychotherapy, or talk therapy. Psychotherapy is one of the most effective forms of bipolar disorder support therapy. Psychotherapy is divided into sub-categories, such as cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and humanistic therapy. Other categories include family therapy, group therapy, and play therapy.
As one example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, stresses identifying intrusive thoughts and making changes to negative patterns and behavior. Psychodynamic therapy focuses on childhood events and feelings and how they impact current behavior and mental health. Humanistic therapy focuses on the individual client’s potential for growth by using an empathetic approach. This style provides support to clients as they strive to gain an understanding of their personal experiences and their goals for growth.
As its name implies, play therapy helps children talk about their feelings and act out traumatic events through play. Individual therapy means the therapist meets with one client at a time. Group therapy consists of a small number of people who share similar goals and experience in a particular area. Members of the group meet to support each other and learn from each other’s experiences.
Family therapy helps improve communication skills among family members and restructure family dynamics. Couples therapy promotes a similar concept for couples. Integrative/holistic therapy, on the other hand, blends ideas from several therapy models and techniques.
Moving on from Bipolar Disorder
If you or a loved one worries that you experience symptoms of bipolar disorder, please contact us today. Our friendly and efficient staff will gladly schedule a free, initial consultation for you with one of our experienced counselors. All our therapists are licensed and have years of clinical experience.
During your initial visit, your therapist will assess your current mental health, ask about your mental health history, and your family’s medical history. Your therapist will encourage you to ask questions about the therapist’s education, clinical experience, appointment schedules, and fees.
Our goal is to make you comfortable with the practice’s personnel and atmosphere. We want you to feel safe in the space we provide for sharing your sensitive and personal thoughts and feelings. We promise to treat each client with compassion and cultural sensitivity. We believe every person should have the opportunity for personal growth. For those who request it, the practice provides faith-based counseling.
For Additional Information
If you would like additional information about how to choose the right therapist, we invite you to read the April 4, 2005, article entitled “Choosing the Right Therapist for You: A Step-by-Step Guide.”
You may also enjoy our June 2, 2025, article on starting to talk about mental health, entitled “Breaking the Silence: Men and Mental Health – Why It’s Time to Talk.”
Please feel free to search for other topics of interest in our blog, Refined by Grace.
We stand ready to help you on your mental health journey. Let us show you how Refinery Consulting Services, LLC, can help you accomplish your mental health goals.
