Stories 05.26.23 No, meds won’t make you a “boring potato.” 
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Attention: This article discusses the subject of suicide and self-harm, in case you prefer to avoid it.
According to the 2021 survey conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a majority of individuals (60%) with a mood disorder such as bipolar disorder reported experiencing differential treatment once their diagnosis is disclosed. Moreover, Amber, a 27-year-old individual, has observed that the stigma associated with her condition is evident as some individuals have labelled her as “crazy” when she sought assistance. Additionally, Amber notices that certain individuals tend to distance themselves from her upon learning about her bipolar disorder.
It is easier for you to understand the condition of bipolar when you make assumptions about how a person thinks, feels, or acts. Just ever shows that the less you understand the condition, the easier it is for you to make assumptions about a person. When Tara, 41, saw her former boss in the office, she never disclosed her diagnosis of bipolar. Brandon, 30, says that when he posts videos and comments about his bipolar disorder, he leaves massive generalizations about people. Amber mainly sees the stigma attached to bipolar disorder when she sees people behaving erratically like her on social media 24/7. There is still a lot of shame attached to bipolar disorder, says Amber. Despite the progress made in raising awareness of mental health, society still paints people with this disorder mainly in a negative light.
Christina notes that when someone is trying to understand and empathize more with those who have a disorder, it is important to call out harmful stereotypes and increase awareness. Christina, who spent years advocating for herself before receiving a diagnosis at the age of 34, wonders why people can’t understand what they can’t see and why bipolar disorder, which is often an invisible disability, is not fully understood by everyone.
According to the American Psychological Association, it persists for a minimum of two years, and during this period, an individual experiences less intense and briefer hypomanic and depressive symptoms that do not entirely align with a diagnosis of bipolar II but rather with cyclothymia. In cyclothymia, there are occurrences of depressive episodes and hypomania in bipolar II. In bipolar I, there are instances of milder episodes of elevated mood (also known as hypomania) and periods of depression, as well as occasional occurrences of heightened, energetic, and/or irritable moods (also known as mania). Further breaking it down, there exist three primary types. Bipolar disorder refers to significant fluctuations in energy and mood that can disrupt one’s daily life. Hence, this serves as a basic introduction to bipolar disorder.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), individuals with bipolar disorder can experience episodes of mixed symptoms, where they feel both energized and sad, as well as hopeless.
Even if you have all the information, you might still subconsciously or consciously have some preconceived notions about people with bipolar disorder. To help chip away at the stigma, we spoke to people who have been diagnosed with it and are living with the condition. Here’s what they want to know: What’s it like to live with bipolar disorder? And those who were just diagnosed with it or haven’t lived with it, they have a million questions to remember.
1. Bipolar disorder is not the same thing as having mood swings.
Therapist Amanda Eldabh, LCSW, who also happens to have bipolar II, states, “It is typical for everyone to experience sadness, anxiety, hyperactivity, happiness, and elation.” She explains that it is only when those shifts in mood persist for extended periods of time, such as days, weeks, or longer, and hinder your ability to function in everyday life, that they may be considered symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Recalls Tara, who has bipolar I, “and] may endure for days or weeks. It’s profoundly distinct from an individual becoming furious or responding in an utmost [manner].” “Although we do encounter intense emotional states, it’s generally not an abrupt shift. We undergo moods that can be exceedingly elevated or depressed … I am acquainted with individuals whose former girlfriends displayed extreme responses, fits of rage, or were irrational, and they categorized them as bipolar.”
Amber, who also has bipolar, wants to clarify this misconception. “These episodes are more than just feelings. They impact my thought-processing and behaviors,” she shares. “During manic episodes, I become convinced that other people are conspiring against me and I become rageful. I also have trouble sleeping and my speech becomes rapid and illogical, almost like speaking in a foreign language.”
She adds, “particularly when confronting the consequences of my manic episodes,” she convinces herself that everyone would benefit from her absence, that she experiences a sensation of suffocation, she mentions Amber’s state of depression.
2. Bipolar disorder is treatable.
Eldabh asserts that being diagnosed with bipolar disorder adds a dreadful stigma to one’s life sentence. However, according to the NIMH, bipolar disorder can be effectively treated through a combination of consistent lifestyle changes, support from family and friends, psychotherapy, and medication.
Each individual requires a unique approach to treatment, according to Eldabh, who believes that a combination of antidepressants and mood stabilizers, along with regular meditation and mindfulness, can be life-saving. Brandon, who has bipolar disorder, finds that mood stabilizers are not enough to alleviate his sense of impending doom. He also takes antipsychotic medication to manage his paranoia, which greatly facilitates his ability to engage in activities outside his apartment without feeling judged by others.
Serving as a prompt that she is not solitary, she attends support groups to listen to individuals experiencing comparable symptoms. Engaging in activities such as exercise and journaling contributes to her general mental well-being, while her treatment plan consists of therapy sessions and the use of a mood stabilizer. Cat, a 31-year-old woman, has been informed by psychiatrists that she may have either cyclothymia or bipolar II disorder.
3. No two people will experience bipolar disorder in the exact same way.
Christina emphasizes the importance of understanding that individuals with bipolar disorder have diverse experiences, and it is crucial to avoid stereotyping.
She will frequently contact individuals through phone calls or text messages, exhibit heightened levels of energy, and compose either a comprehensive essay or a plethora of jokes for a fresh stand-up performance. Without giving it much consideration, she will embark on spontaneous road trips, engage in hypersexual behavior, or excessively spend money. When Eldabh experiences hypomania, she claims to possess a multitude of creative ideas and admits to being impulsive. Both Eldabh and Christina have bipolar II disorder, just to provide an example.
4. Mania isn’t necessarily a fun experience.
Some people believe that she will experience delusions (a sign of a) and can also have self-harm tendencies. These episodes can sometimes lead to exhaustion for her as she cannot sleep. Although I cannot control her actions or what she says outside, internally I feel like I am screaming when she experiences manic episodes. In my opinion, it is not a good or enjoyable time for her, but for some people who have bipolar disorder, it can be assumed that they feel euphoric during mania. People always say that Amber has bipolar disorder.
He ended up in the hospital for mental health treatment, and mania was really scary. During his first manic episode, he had an elaborate delusion that people wanted to hurt him because he was figuring out that his family members were criminals. This happened during the Covid pandemic. Brandon says that even though mania felt nice and gave him extreme confidence, there’s really no positive aspect to it. Similarly.
5. And hypomania isn’t just being in a good mood.
Christina was first diagnosed with depression and it wasn’t until her mid-20s that she realized she had periods of high energy and euphoria, later confirmed to be hypomania from bipolar II. Even when she told psychiatrists about her symptoms, it took years for her to listen to a doctor and confirm the diagnosis she already thought she had, just because life was good and she was in a good mood.
Brandon says that when he’s more impulsive and has less control over his impulses, it can mess with his normal sleep schedule and behavior. This is a symptom that can affect some people, regardless of whether they are a mental health professional or not, simplifying it to just equating hypomania with a good mood. Brandon says that hypomanic episodes, which can happen a couple of times a year, don’t include delusions.
6. Bipolar disorder doesn’t make people dangerous.
Brandon notes, “Clearly, this is a statement that describes an issue, but it is evident that someone with bipolar disorder has experienced something truly traumatic, which is why they feel sad. It seems like every person with this disorder will claim that others will continue to see them as such, and sometimes, their loved ones, who say hurtful things, will lash out at them. People can see comments on Brandon’s videos about bipolar disorder.”
Reinforces the stereotype that individuals with the condition, particularly those experiencing intense forms of mania, are prone to violence, asserting that all individuals with bipolar disorder will act aggressively. According to Kirsten Bolton, LICSW, a clinical social worker who aids patients with bipolar disorder or psychotic disorders in one of McLean Hospital’s residential treatment programs, individuals with bipolar disorder are significantly more susceptible to being targeted by violence rather than inflicting it. Merely because individuals with bipolar disorder may display irritability during manic episodes does not imply that they will resort to violence.
7. People with bipolar disorder aren’t always manic or depressed.
Christina, an employee, was worried about what version we’re going to get today at the office. Oh my gosh, she thinks people would be worried if they found out she had bipolar II and that her judgment might be clouded. She wonders if her colleagues would think she’s “unstable” once they find out.
It’s like she’s on a rollercoaster, experiencing extreme mood swings where she feels broken and up and down like a yo-yo. Tara explains that thanks to medication, the majority of her time is spent at a stable baseline mood. However, Christina is not always depressed or hypomanic like Tara.
According to Sarah Sperry, an associate director of research at the University of Michigan’s Prechter Program in Bipolar Psychiatry, Euthymia, also known as mood stability or baseline, is not necessarily experienced by everyone, including individuals with bipolar disorder. It is important to note that not every big emotion is a symptom of bipolar disorder, and individuals with bipolar disorder do not constantly experience fluctuating depressive and manic symptoms. Even without medication, people with bipolar disorder can still experience a baseline mood.
8. You can have bipolar disorder and be in healthy partnerships.
Cat explains that people with bipolar disorder are often misunderstood and stigmatized. She has noticed that society tends to sexualize and make memes and phrases about bipolar disorder, which is not helpful. Cat hasn’t seen any positive examples of this, and it has made it difficult for her to maintain a healthy love life.
Having bipolar disorder does not prevent you from forming meaningful connections, according to her. She has been in a monogamous, happy relationship for two and a half years, she reports. She only realized that it was true after she learned about her own diagnosis and decided to continue living with her condition.
9. Bipolar II isn’t necessarily less severe than bipolar I.
Eldabh says that a lot of people think she is successful as a professional mental health advocate, not assuming that it’s not fair because she struggles. She explains that she has bipolar disorder, specifically bipolar II, and gives an example of a past suicide attempt during a hypomanic episode, emphasizing how debilitating her bipolar disorder can be.
As stated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), depressive episodes in bipolar II can potentially have a greater duration and occur with higher frequency compared to depression in bipolar I. In Eldabh’s case, her depressive episodes can be severe and occasionally exhibit as profound guilt and remorse for actions taken during a hypomanic episode, which may result in thoughts of self-harm. Additionally, it is important to acknowledge.
10. Bipolar disorder meds don’t turn you into a zombie.
Cat believed that taking mood stabilizers would eliminate her extreme mood swings, but she soon realized that she didn’t have to sacrifice her creativity, liveliness, and warmth in order to achieve emotional stability.
Cat is NOT a boring potato, and we are happy to report that. Her periods of hypomania and depression are not as long or intense due to her medication. She still expresses her creative side as an artist, stating that she painted a giant canvas of a whale while listening to Rihanna after the last Super Bowl. Additionally, Cat continues to do makeup gigs for film and photoshoots.
Bottom line: It’s a common misconception that all mental health medications will suppress your emotions. Certainly, this may be true for certain individuals based on the specific medications they are taking. For instance, Nick, a 36-year-old who has bipolar II, believes that his combination of medications played a partial role in his feelings of being emotionally stifled. However, it is not guaranteed to happen to everyone.
11. And getting off medication isn’t really the goal for most people with bipolar disorder.
Brandon states, “I believe that I will need to take medication for the entirety of my life, and I have come to terms with that.” He affirms his commitment to continue taking them, thus achieving stability after two decades. However, it appears that due to the prevailing negative perception surrounding psychiatric medication, people often assume that he desires to discontinue their use at the earliest opportunity.
Dr. Sperry says that for some individuals, their circumstances can lead them to go off or decrease their medications. It is true that taking medication can help reduce symptoms between episodes and prevent future mood episodes for the majority of people living with bipolar disorder.
“Bipolar disorder may present itself as a challenge that you must navigate, but it does not have to determine your future path and the person you aspire to become,” affirms Amber. According to her, leading a satisfying and meaningful life is made possible by the use of medication, assistance from mental health experts, and a strong network of social support.
Wondermind does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is always recommended to consult a qualified mental health professional or healthcare provider for any concerns or questions about your mental health. The information published on this website is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice.