Kraft felt embarrassed, ashamed, sad\u2014and afraid. \u201cI was fearful of being judged, backed away from, viewed as unsafe, unpredictable, unstable, an unreliable friend, an irresponsible mom, a moody wife, a woman of weak character, and the list goes on and on.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s an understandable reaction because even though bipolar disorder is common\u2014about 5.7 million American adults have it\u2014myths and stereotypes still persist.<\/p>\n
To cut through the caricatures and misconceptions, we asked several individuals who have bipolar disorder and a clinician who specializes in treating the illness to share what they think everyone needs to know. Here\u2019s what they said:<\/p>\n
Bipolar disorder is complex and varies from person to person.<\/h3>\n
For starters, there are three types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I, bipolar II and cyclothymia. The hallmark symptom of bipolar I disorder is mania; many people also experience depression (but it\u2019s not required for the diagnosis). Mania features hyperactivity, euphoria, disorganization, decreased need for sleep, impulsivity, impaired judgment, irritability, racing thoughts and speech, said Deborah Serani<\/a>, PsyD, a psychologist in private practice in New York, and professor at Adelphi University.<\/p>\n Mania also can include hypersexuality, grandiose beliefs, delusions and paranoia, she said. For instance, before getting treatment, Tosha Maaks<\/a>, a mental health advocate, speaker and frequent contributor to Psych Central, had an overwhelming sense of being judged. All. The. Time. Whenever she\u2019d walk into a room and see two people start laughing, Maaks was convinced they were laughing and talking about her.<\/p>\n Bipolar II disorder is believed to be less intense than bipolar I because it includes hypomania, instead of mania. And mania is known for sparking devastating, dramatic consequences, such as empty bank accounts and shattered relationships. However, bipolar II isn\u2019t some softer version. It\u2019s just different. Consequences of hypomania can be painful, too, and the depressive episodes can be very severe, even suicidal. (You can learn more about bipolar II disorder in this Psych Central piece<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Individuals also might have mixed states, which means they experience mania or hypomania and depression at the same time, Serani said. Which means they may feel deeply sad or hopeless while feeling extremely energized, she said.<\/p>\n Some people with bipolar disorder experience rapid cycling: \u201cepisodes of mood elevation and depression followed by another cycle of mood elevation and depression four or more times per year.\u201d For some, this cycling can happen weekly or even hourly, Serani said.<\/p>\n Cyclothymia<\/a> features bouts of low-grade\u00a0depression and hypomania, and the symptoms can be so subtle that people don\u2019t even realize they\u2019re struggling with a chronic illness. It also can batter relationships and, if left untreated, can progress into bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n In other words, bipolar disorder ranges widely in symptoms and severity\u2014and it can vary widely within the same<\/em> person. As\u00a0Shaley Hoogendoorn\u00a0told me for this piece<\/a>, how her bipolar II feels really \u201cdepends on the day, month or season.\u201d She noted it was really hard for her to get anyone to believe that she was struggling because she\u2019s considered \u201chigh functioning.\u201d<\/p>\n Bipolar disorder is a serious illness, but thankfully it\u2019s one that can be successfully treated, and individuals can live fulfilling, meaningful, healthy lives.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter accepting my diagnosis and creating a plan for personal healthy living, I have lived in\u00a0recovery for more than 25 years,\u201d said Charita Cole Brown<\/a>, author of the book\u00a0Defying the Verdict: My Bipolar Life<\/a><\/em>.\u00a0Her personal healthy living plan includes taking medication, eating nutrient-rich foods, exercising, seeking peace, resting in God, having accountability partners and paying close attention to her mood fluctuations.<\/p>\n Maaks also wants readers to know that a diagnosis of bipolar disorder isn\u2019t a death sentence. \u201cI live my life to the fullest doing everything I can to live up to my potential each day,\u201d she said. Even though she can\u2019t work in a \u201cnormal work environment,\u201d she leads a wonderful life with her husband, and four well-rounded, happy kids.<\/p>\n The key with treatment is to know yourself. For example, Maaks has become especially mindful of her triggers, and how much stress she can handle. She knows her limits and honors them. \u201c[I know] when to say no to the things I can\u2019t handle and when I need to rest to prevent an episode from happening. I must be OK sometimes with just doing a little bit of something.\u201d<\/p>\n The other key is to actually stick with treatment. Serani noted that research shows that about 50 percent of people with bipolar disorder abandon treatment, which exacerbates the illness. It\u2019s not easy, but systems can help. Serani gave these examples: having your medication mailed every month; keeping medicine in a pill-box or pill key so if you forget a dose, you have a backup; using a smartphone alarm or pill-box with a timer for your medication; prepaying for therapy sessions; and asking supportive loved ones for help.<\/p>\n The stereotypes about people with bipolar disorder are endless: They can\u2019t maintain healthy, long-term relationships. They\u2019re selfish and have one-sided friendships where they just take, take and take. They shouldn\u2019t have kids\u2014and if they do, they\u2019re probably subpar parents.<\/p>\n Yes, some people with bipolar disorder have trouble having healthy relationships. Yes, some people with bipolar disorder are self-centered, and some aren\u2019t great parents. But these qualities and challenges are not universal. And they are not inherent to the illness. We assume they are because \u201cthe only stories, faces, cases that are headline-worthy and leave a lasting impression are the absolute extremes, the shocking ones,\u201d said Kraft<\/a>, an artist and author of\u00a0The Other Side of Me: Memoir of a Bipolar Mind<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n She underscored the importance of not lumping all people with bipolar disorder together. We understand this intellectually. Of course, every single person on this planet is different. Of course, we can\u2019t make sweeping judgments about people who share the same illness. People with diabetes, arthritis and asthma are not the same.<\/em> And yet when it comes to mental illness, that\u2019s exactly what we do.<\/p>\n Like Maaks, Kraft is happily married (for 23 years) with kids. She believes that \u201cit\u2019s absolutely possible to have bipolar disorder and <\/em>be an amazing mom or dad\u2026If we\u2019re willing to take responsibility for our mental health, commit to a treatment plan, and always try our best, then I think we\u2019re definitely in the running for parent-of-the-year award.\u201d<\/p>\n In fact, Kraft believes that having bipolar disorder has made her a better parent. \u201cIt has made me hyper-aware of my words, thoughts, actions, and state of well-being. I am constantly asking myself if, \u2018Am I doing everything possible to stay well for my family?\u2019 My children make me want to do better and be better\u2014they deserve nothing less.\u201d Plus, her illness has led her to teach her children invaluable lessons: \u201cthe importance of authenticity, vulnerability and perseverance in the face of adversity.\u201d<\/p>\n Kraft also noted that her \u201cfellow mental health warriors defy every myth and stereotype out there and their journeys prove it.\u201d She suggested reading psychologist David Susman\u2019s blog series \u201cStories of Hope<\/a>,\u201d which features stories from individuals with mental illness. In particular, Kraft has been inspired by advocates Hannah Blum, Suzy Favor Hamilton and Rudy Caseres.<\/p>\n Brown believes that we should view bipolar disorder like we view diabetes or cancer, because it is \u201ca brain-based, physical disease.\u201d<\/p>\n And we should offer individuals the same compassion, as Therese Borchard writes in her powerful piece<\/a>. Borchard writes about depression, but this is true for bipolar disorder, too: \u201cI believe the best thing you can do for a person who suffers from depression is to believe her.\u201d<\/p>\n And the best thing we can do for people with any mental illness is to acknowledge that mental illness is hard and we can make it a whole lot easier if we don\u2019t buy into the stereotypes, and we don\u2019t perpetuate the stigma.<\/p>\n Visit Original Source<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Nine years ago, Julie Kraft\u2019s doctor uttered the words, \u201cyou have bipolar II disorder.\u201d Immediately, images of unhinged film characters, sensationalist tabloid headlines and shocking news stories flooded her mind. All these things are now associated with me, she thought. Kraft felt embarrassed, ashamed, sad\u2014and afraid. \u201cI was fearful of <\/p>\n Read More<\/a>Bipolar disorder is highly treatable.<\/h3>\n
Everyone with bipolar disorder shouldn\u2019t be lumped into the same category.<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
Shared by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., Contributing Blogger<\/a> February 5, 2019<\/p>\n