Let’s forget about stress and trauma

This article is purely to create awareness about one of the most common ailments in today’s society. I am writing about this because I have been suffering from it for the past 21 years: I have Bipolarity.

I was a shy child. When I was with other children, they used to talk with each other and I used to be quiet. They always had things to talk about. I used to react after hearing what they had to say. I used to grasp things fast, but would forget them quickly. I used to think it’s because I was shy. I cleared my degree in engineering and Master of Business Administration. During this period, my father, who was one of the bright bankers, started showing both depressive, and manic phases. He started speaking badly about top bosses, among peers and other colleagues. So many times I received calls from his office, asking me to take him away from the office. We could not understand what was wrong with my father.

One day, one of our family friends saw him and asked my mother to take him to a psychiatrist. We came to know that he had a mental disorder. Then we saw him spoiling his career. By that time, we knew he was suffering from bipolar mood disorder. I am one of four siblings, my eldest sister is married.

My brothers and I were engineers and struggling in life. I got a job abroad and financially I was doing well, but I became a loner as I hardly had any friends. I used to cry for hours. I used to compare people. Then suddenly I started fighting with people. I knew there was something wrong with me. I wanted medical attention but such ailments were taboo in those days. So, I resigned and went back to India. I started medication. My parents forced me to get married. Doctors told me that I would get two to three phases of depression and mania. But for the past 21 years, I have faced one to two phases every year. My married life was very tough. In these 21 years, I have changed 11 jobs. I was blessed with a strong wife. She took a brave step and started a company. So, we are running the company now.

I would like to reiterate that doctors should treat this ailment with care. They just treat it professionally. My personal request to anybody who suspects that they suffer from this is that they don’t treat it as any other ailment. See a doctor, check for symptoms.