What is bipolar disorder you may ask? Its a mood disorder, a chemical imbalance in the brain, most often a severe mental illness. You go from manic episodes to depressive episodes. Or they may occur together in a mixed state. You never know when a cycle will begin or end, it just occurs.

If you are one of the fortunate ones, the medications prescribed to you for bipolar disorder will work. It is not uncommon to cycle through a menagerie of medications to get the correct one or two or three. However many prescriptions your doctor feels you need to stay balanced. Then there is the unfortunate side affects that have to be tolerated so you can find out which medication serves you best. for you. The doctor prefers you to stay on a new medication for at least two weeks before calling it quits. And trying another.

During the down side of bipolar, you become so depressed all you can perceive of is suicide. You don't get out of bed for days on end. You pay absolutely no detail to your hygiene. You bolt the door and lay in bed knowing the world has come to an end. That nothing matters because your brain tells you life is not worth living. You are not convinced if you just motivate yourself a little bit you can alleviate your depression. But you're so weighed down in worthlessness, and guilt you see no hope at all.

Then there is the manic phase. Total euphoria, you think your president of The United States. You are untouchable. You can fly if you so desire. You have an unrelenting sex drive, the need to jump on a flight to another country for no other reason than you just have to. Your mind races so fast you cannot keep up. The thoughts keep coming until they turn into voices you cannot understand. You want to spend money, shop for things you know you do not need. Most times you will deny anything is wrong at all.

The thing is that bipolar can affect anyone. It is a serious mental illness that affects approximately 1% of the world population according to The World Health Organization.

There are treatments such as mood stabilizing medications, psychotherapy and as a last resort there is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). However the most popular, is mood stabilizing and antipsychotic  medications such as Lithium, Seroquel, Lamictal, Abilify, Depakote, and Tegretol to name just a few. That will help with the manic phases as well as the depression.

Bipolar Disorder also brings along a stigma that paralyzes some of those diagnosed to seek treatment because they are fearful of what others might say or do. There is the fear of losing your job because of preconceived ideas of what bipolar disorder means. It is a mental illness that can be treated with medication. It is possible to lead a normal life if the person suffering follows a treatment plan.

Of course along with stigma comes the blunders and wrong-doing we as a bipolar person has done. Such as trouble with the law, substance abuse, unable to keep relationships, therefore creating shame and more stigma. Bipolar Disorder is nothing to be ashamed of, because there are effective treatments and support groups to strive for stabilization. Most people with bipolar disorder can lead vital and productive lives. Without the treatment, however, bipolar disorder most likely worsens. So it is up to you to seek a treatment plan that fits into your lifestyle.
 

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