"I'm/they are so bipolar " is something I hear too often. It usually means that person switches their emotions quickly- maybe being happy one moment and being sad another.
Bipolar disorder is a real mental health disorder that impacts millions of people in the world. There are two types of bipolar disorder:
Bipolar 1 disorder. This is the type that many people think about when they hear bipolar disorder. The big thing about this disorder is the mania, which by definition, is a break from reality.
Bipolar 2 disorder. This means that the person has hypomania, which does not have a break from reality.
Then there is Cyclothymic disorder.
This is when someone has the highs and lows, but does not meet the diagnostic criteria for mania, hypomania or depression in their highs and lows.
Let's talk about mania and hypomania a bit more!
Mania:
Mania is a more severe and intense mood state compared to hypomania.
Manic episodes last for at least one week, or are so severe that hospitalization is necessary.
During a manic episode, the person experiences an extreme increase in energy levels, heightened self-esteem, and a decreased need for sleep.
They may have racing thoughts and engage in impulsive and risky behaviors. - For example, my friend who has bipolar disorder stated that during a manic episode she believed her car could fly- and she crashed her car into someone's garage. Thankfully, no one (including her!) was hurt.
Mania can lead to significant disruptions in daily functioning and may require immediate intervention.
Hypomania:
Hypomanic episodes last for at least four consecutive days.
During a hypomanic episode, individuals experience similar symptoms to mania- but the symptoms are not as severe as in a full-blown manic episode.
Hypomania does not lead to severe impairments in social or occupational functioning, and hospitalization is not necessary. If it does, that is by definition mania.
So why do we talk about this?
It is not for us to self diagnose- please do not use this to diagnose yourself! We talk about this, because words matter. When we say things like "oh, they are so bipolar." when someone is (for example) struggling to control their emotions, we do several things:
We minimize the struggle of people who are struggling with bipolar 1, 2 or cyclothymia
We are labeling someone without their consent
When we use labels like this, it sometimes leads us to not really listen from a place of empathy. This does not help us connect or support that person (or ourselves!)
With that in mind, let's jump into this week's Therapist Mama Bear Tip!
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