TWO ENDS, NO MIDDLE GROUND.

You wake up happy and quite content in life one morning, and you are so determined to have a great day but life has other plans for you. You lose your keys; your battery dies and you miss an important call. Sometimes, you randomly remember something from an unresolved misunderstanding and your mood is ruined all over again. On the outside, all people see is that sudden mood switch but not what led to it, and then they label you as bipolar. Many of us have been guilty and also victims of this. What you need to understand is that being bipolar is a serious mental disorder and using it so loosely undermines those who suffer from bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depressive illness, is a mental illness that causes severe low and high moods in individuals and causes changes to sleep patterns, energy levels, thinking and behavior.
People who suffer from bipolar disorder can be extremely happy, overly bubbly (mania) and on one end feel very low on energy, empty and sad (depression).

It is important to know that most people with bipolar disorder experience the depressive stage more than the manic phase. Like many other mental illnesses, there is no one cause for bipolar disorder.
It however affects men and women equally.

Causes:
· Genetic factors (your chances of developing bipolar are high if a relative has bipolar disorder).
· Age of the father at conception (men above 50 years are 6x more likely to father children with bipolar disorder than those in their 20s)
· Brain structure (imaging tests make experts theorize that something may have gone wrong in the early development of the brain that led to decreased connections among prefrontal networks and limbic structures, especially the amygdala). 

Alcohol and drug abuse and experiencing high stress and triggers from traumatic events also increase the probability of having bipolar disorder.

There are some myths about bipolar disorder like:

There is only one type of bipolar disorder.
Four different types of the disorder exist. More information is given in the article.
Bipolar = Moody.

 
Everyone experiences mood swings. True. But people with bipolar disorders experience extreme degrees of these changes and it ends up affecting their energy, sleep patterns, and everyday activities. People without bipolar disorder experience mood fluctuations for a matter of hours instead of days.

 
Being manic makes you productive.
Mania usually makes some individuals feel really good but it never ends well without treatment. They end up doing extreme things like splurging beyond their means, making impulsive decisions etc.

 
You can cure bipolar disorder with exercise and a good diet.
There is currently no cure for this illness. It is a lifelong illness. It can however be well managed with a good combination of professional help, medication, exercise and stress relief activities.

 
Children cannot be bipolar.
Children as low as 6 years old can be diagnosed with bipolar personality disorders. Children with bipolar parents are more likely to be bipolar than those without.

 
There are 4 types of bipolar:
Bipolar I - extreme, long-lasting highs (mania) as well as depressive episodes, and may include psychosis (difficulty knowing what is real or not).

Bipolar II - highs that are less extreme (hypomania) that only last or a few hours or days, as well as depressive episodes, and periods of normal mood.

Cyclothymic disorder - mood changes that are less severe but still impact daily function.

Substance-induced bipolar disorder - caused by alcohol or recreational drugs abuse.

 
Symptoms:
These are some of the common symptoms persons with bipolar disorder exhibit. Be attentive to your own mood changes and that of your family and close relations so that timely help can be given.

The way forward:
- Educate yourself on your condition and your triggers.
- Record your moods or take this test https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/digital-tools-apps/bipolar-self-test/ to find out if you may have bipolar disorder. Then seek professional diagnosis.
- Receive therapy from a professional qualified to treat bipolar disorder.
- If possible, get your family and close relations involved in your treatment so they have a basic understanding of what you go through.

If after reading this, you believe that you have some of the symptoms you should see a professional so you are well diagnosed. You can also DM us @hayfoundationafrica. Only after proper diagnosis should you begin treatment. 

Remember that it is not a death sentence, with treatment you will know how to manage it better.

Can you share your experiences with bipolar personality disorder whether personal or with a close relation? How do/did you handle it? Share this post with friends and family so we can all learn together.