1 in 4 people will be affected by a mental health problem at some point in their lives – World Health Organisation.
A couple of years ago, rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh had opened up about his struggle with alcoholism and bipolar disorder in a tell-all interview to Bombay Times. It was a brave interview that brought focus on a mental health disorder that’s often misunderstood.
Bipolar disorder is a complex disease. The National Institute of Mental Health characterises it as a potentially fatal illness because 20 percent of patients end up committing suicide.
The thing with a physical illness is that somebody can point to a broken limb on an x–ray and be able to tell whats ailing you. But when it comes to a mental illness, things are brewing inside your mind and it’s not perceived as real. That’s where a lot of stigma towards mental disorders stems from.
Here’s everything you need to know about bipolar disorder, read it carefully because 1 in 4 of us will have a brush with a mental illness in our lifetime.
1. What Is Bipolar Disorder?
A mental illness based on extreme mood swings – depression followed by mania. These mood swings don’t happen very quickly, they tend to last from a minimum of a few days to several months.
Sometimes, the high phase and the low phase combine – medically, this is known as a mixed episode, though a more accurate description would be an ‘absolute emotional shitstorm’!
Just to make it more difficult, there are four variations – bipolar 1, bipolar 2, cyclothymia and rapid-cycling.
2. What It’s Like To Live With Bipolar Disorder
The high phase (manic mood) can make you feel like Beyonce! You suddenly get super productive, you’re flowing with ideas, acing your game, living on minimal sleep and overactive to the point that people start questioning if you are for real!
And then your mood drops and your world comes crashing down, you look back on your behavior and are mortified. You start crying any time, anywhere. The only thing you can do is sleep. Sometimes 20 hours a day – which means you pretty much can’t function, work or even live!
It’s all so exhausting that you eventually want to tuck yourself away from people.
Recovery is a slow, tedious process.
Related Read: If Only People Treated Mental Health Problems Like Physical Issues
3. You Can Keep It Stable With Treatment
1 in 5 people with bipolar disorder take their own lives.
1 in 5 people.
Suicidal ideation is a key symptom of depression, but often people literally do not have the energy to harm themselves. Only when a mixed episode strikes, (the emotional shitstorm you read above), the negative thoughts are still there, but also coupled with the energy to carry out such a plan.
Precisely why you need timely diagnosis and strong family support. You cannot snap out of bipolar disorder with positive thoughts.
Treatment is usually lifelong – it starts with counselling and pills to balance the mood swings and once in control, long-term medication is initiated as maintenance drugs. If the patient becomes suicidal or detached from reality (psychotic), hospitalisation might be required.
4. The Problems With Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder
Like most mental disorders, bipolar comes in different shapes and sizes and can be difficult to diagnose.
Some doctors might miss the symptoms. Though there is nothing subtle about mania or grandiose about severe depression, many times doctors confuse mild mania with cheerfulness. And it might not be obvious at all, especially if you are temperamentally dramatic and a lively person.
5. Medication Is Incredibly Important But Not Easy To Find One
It can take a looong time to get the right combination and dose of medication that works well for you, unless you are very lucky.
In Yo Yo’s case, for a good year no medicine was suiting him. That can be particularly frustrating and laborious.
The right combination of drugs can save your life. It’s like wading through Mumbai roads in monsoon floods, without knowing where the potholes are. But keep at it.
6. Kudos To Honey Singh For Opening Up
We respect anyone dealing with a health issue with grace and bravery. Three cheers for those who deal with it in the glare of the public eye.
When Deepika Padukone spoke about her very real struggles with depression, it made front page headlines – understandably so, given that our country is still fighting the stigma against mental health issues and addiction.
In an industry where actors stay tight-lipped about their relationships, to be vocal about a mental health issue without any hidden agenda deserves a standing ovation.
Let’s raise a toast to Yo Yo on his birthday, for increasing awareness about bipolar disorder. Here’s to health and happiness.
... And to better understanding and less stigma.
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