09/12/2020
Myths vs Facts: A look at Bipolar Disorder
Dr. Gagandeep Singh, MD, a psychiatrist at Banner Behavioral Health Hospital, has addressed a few common bipolar myths.
Myth: All Bipolar people are the same.
Fact: Bipolar disorder is a different experience for every person, each with their own complexities. There are two main types of the disease entitled bipolar I and II.
Bipolar I disorder: Periods of severe mania and depression.
Bipolar II disorder: Involves less severe “hypomanic episodes” but can still have periods of severe depression.
Myth: Bipolar disorder only affects adults.
Fact: Children can have bipolar disorder but diagnosing can be tricky. Symptoms can and often first appear during the teen years but on average, it is diagnosed by age 25. Diagnosis can be challenging, because a number of other childhood disorders such as disruptive mood dysregulation and anxiety disorders have similar symptoms or occur along with bipolar disorder.
Myth: Bipolar people can’t hold steady jobs.
Fact: Bipolar people can hold down jobs. There are so many people living with this and holding jobs as professors, scientists and physicians. Case in point, author and psychiatrist, Kay Redfield Jamison, wrote about her own battle with it and still practices today. People can work, have families and have strong interpersonal relationships.
Myth: Substance abuse causes bipolar disorder.
Fact: Substance abuse usually can’t cause bipolar disorder by itself. The exact cause of bipolar disorder isn’t known, but a combination of genetics, environment, brain structure and diet may play a role.
Myth: Bipolar people are either manic or depressed.
Fact: Some alternate between episodes of mania and depression, but most are depressed more often than they are manic, people with bipolar disorder can also go long periods without symptoms at all.
Myth: Medication is the only treatment option for bipolar disorder.
Fact: While medication is definitely helpful and an important tool in treating bipolar disorder, diet, exercise, proper sleep and psychotherapy can also help keep symptoms at bay. For people with mild symptoms, they may not need medicines, medications are usually recommended as one of the tools to use amongst others for patients with severe conditions. The goal is to stabilize the patient over time and continue treatments even when they’re feeling good.
