MHM Magazine

10 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 2023 | Issue 2 MHM Myth #3: There's a lack of willpower or personal weakness behind bipolar disorder. Genetics, environment and biology all contribute to bipolar disorder. Family history, trauma, and brain chemistry changes can all cause or contribute to bipolar disorder. The ability to "always" control your mood states can be a source of judgement and ridicule for those living with bipolar disorder. Having to control mood states and move out of mood states often places a lot of pressure on someone in this position. An underlying sense of helplessness can create a sense of failure. As a result of these experiences, the risk of depression and suicidality increases significantly. It’s important to manage bipolar disorder on both a biological and therapeutic level. Myth #4: It's just a phase, it'll go away. The symptoms of bipolar disorder can worsen if left untreated. Bipolar disorder patients may "be okay" after a fewmonths of treatment. If someone is asymptomatic, they often default on their medication because others tell them they're okay and they shouldn't keep taking it. As a result, they often relapse into depression, mania, hypomania and even psychosis in their presentation. A psychiatrist and psychologist are always needed to manage bipolar disorder closely. The treatment for bipolar disorder must be ongoing, unlike colds or flu, which pass after treatment. Myth #5: It's hard to lead a normal life when you are living with bipolar disorder. People living with bipolar disorder are often successful, such as professors and doctors. Living with bipolar disorder may require consistent monitoring of thoughts and moods. People living with bipolar disorder often benefit fromwork because it gives them a sense of structure and reduces their depressive symptoms. Careers and relationships can be fulfilling for people living with bipolar disorder. Myth #6: There's always a manic or depressive episode when you have bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder includes milder mood changes like hypomania and dysthymia; it may also be accompanied by periods of stability between episodes. Bipolar disorder sufferers often have periods of clarity when they really think about the impact their behaviour may have had on those they care about. Mania, hypomania and depression are not the only symptoms of bipolar disorder that oscillate, but there are also long periods without symptoms. The rapid cycling of mood states is experienced by a small percentage of individuals living with bipolar disorder. It occurs when there are several mood episodes per year. Usually, this fluctuation occurs over a longer period of time. Bipolar disorder sufferers can now make themselves comfortable in their own homes with technology. The use of pornography or sexting could increase during manic episodes. Through cellphones people have instant access to some of these behavioural addictions. Myth #7: There's only one treatment for bipolar disorder: medication. Psychotherapy can provide coping skills and strategies to manage symptoms for patients living with bipolar disorder. Stress management and exercise can also help manage bipolar disorder symptoms. When someone suffers from bipolar disorder, treatment goals include creating a balance in their life and continuing treatment despite their good moods. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help people living with bipolar disorder overcome unhelpful thinking patterns and learn how to avoid and navigate their way through triggers. Sharing experiences and coping skills is also a powerful tool for those living with bipolar disorder. It’s helpful to break down the stigmas and myths they may carry about their diagnosis, as well as their judgments about themselves. Myth #8: There's always violence or danger associated with bipolar disorder. During manic episodes, some people living with bipolar disorder may be irritable or impulsive, but the majority aren't violent or dangerous. Bipolar disorder sufferers are more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violence. It’s harder for individuals living with bipolar disorder to get treatment if they are stigmatised as violent or dangerous. Psychosis, irritability and aggression are some of the mood states associated with bipolar disorder. People living with bipolar disorder are often misunderstood as violent. It’s quite possible for someone living with bipolar disorder to appear quite confident during periods of hypomania or early mania; this causes moods to become erratic during this time. The feeling may initially be pleasant, but without treatment it escalates into loss of control of our thoughts, diminishing insight, and in severe cases, psychosis. These states are characterised by increased anger and irritability, as well as less sleep. Myth #9: Bipolar disorder is like two different people. The idea of having a split personality is often used to describe people who shift between mood states in society. While bipolar disorder causes a shift in energy and motivation, the personality remains intact. A person suffering from hypomania or mania may become more impulsive in making decisions, which can have an impact on their relationships, or their financial health. As a result of their inability to discern risk, their behaviour may come across as irrational or inconsiderate to others. Conclusion Technology and mental health are growing together, and clinicians need to be aware of this. Social media is a double-edged sword that provides support and opens new behavioural avenues for presentations. Health professionals and patients must be educated about bipolar disorder in order to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. When supported and treated properly, bipolar disorder is treatable like any other mental illness. References available on request.