What is bipolar?

IN recent years, more and more celebrities have opened up about their experience with bipolar disorder – the mental illness characterised by significant mood swings, from manic highs to deep depressions.

But while it’s encouraging to see people in the public eye speaking out and helping to destigmatise the condition, there are still a lot of misconceptions around bipolar. We asked some experts and people living with bipolar to explain what they want the world to understand about the disorder...

HAVING BIPOLAR 2 ISN’T NECESSARILY EASIER THAN BIPOLAR 1

There are two main types of bipolar disorder. Bipolar 1 is characterised by periods of depression and mania, while bipolar 2 generally involves long periods of depression and hypomania but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily easier. “Episodes of mania experienced by people with bipolar 1 are deeply distressing for the individual and their loved ones,” says Simon Kitchen, CEO of Bipolar UK (bipolaruk.org).

“But bipolar 2 can be equally challenging to manage, with people telling us they can have long periods where they’re so depressed they find it hard to get out of bed.”

DEPRESSION IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST A LOW MOOD

“Being depressed is not something you can just snap out of,” says actor Adam Deacon. “Imagine being trapped under tons of rubble and someone suggests you simply free yourself... It’s not that easy.”

IT’S MORE COMMON THAN YOU THINK

While it is impossible to calculate an exact number, it’s estimated that over a million adults in the UK have bipolar.

BIPOLAR CAN AFFECT ABSOLUTELY ANYONE

“It doesn’t discriminate,” says TV and radio presenter Leah Charles-King, who was diagnosed after suffering bouts of depression and anxiety. “Bipolar affects people from all backgrounds regardless of gender, or race.”

PEOPLE WITH BIPOLAR CAN MANAGE THE CONDITION

Although there isn’t currently a cure for bipolar, a variety of different mood stabilising drugs are often prescribed. With the right treatment and support in place, everyone with bipolar can lead a ‘normal’ life.