“She’s mentally ill.”
“She’s crazy.”
There are many labels and descriptors used to depict people with bipolar disorder. Some attempt to downplay or camouflage the seriousness of a serious medical condition while others are simply based on ignorance or inconsideration. The stigma of mental illness can cause some people to resist a formal diagnosis and deny themselves treatment.
There is a common fear among people with bipolar disorder that their condition will keep them from living full lives. If you believe you may suffer from bipolar disorder, you might think that if word gets out after your diagnosis you may experience repercussions at work; friends and family may treat you differently; or you might be unable to continue to live the life to which you're accustomed. And while bipolar disorder does wreak havoc on many lives, proper diagnosis and treatment are the best approach to managing the illness and achieving a stable and fulfilling existence. With proper care, patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder can live a happy and full life.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Also called manic-depressive illness, bipolar disorder is a condition of the brain that affects moods, activity levels and energy. Bipolar disorder can render an affected person unable to function or complete minor daily tasks. Severe symptoms of bipolar disorder can affect a person’s relationships, self-worth, career aspirations, educational success and overall health. Suicide is a real concern for some people who suffer from this illness, and proper management of the disease is critical.
Many patients with bipolar disorder first notice symptoms in their late teens or young adult years, although the illness can appear in childhood or much later in life. Unfortunately, due to the poorly understood symptoms of the disease, many patients suffer for years before seeking an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that must be constantly managed, much like diabetes or epilepsy.