The Roller-Coaster Ride of Bipolar Disorder

‘A bizarre enigmatic mix of huge paradoxes’ is how his behaviour could be best described as. His mood swings were changing from utter melancholy to euphoric agony to ferocious aggression within seconds; and this – coupled with no sleep whatsoever – had been continuing since six weeks. Only after his relationships, career and health were seriously affected was when he got diagnosed as bipolar.
Bipolar disorder – a psychiatric disorder – causes unusual and damaging changes in patient’s moods, energy levels, ability to function, and judgement. Its one extreme ‘depression’ causes melancholic guilt and pessimism leading to non-functionality and even suicide. Its other extreme ‘mania’ may cause such euphoric grandiosity and ‘supermanly’ confidence that one may work endlessly on grand and irrational plans, spend irresponsibly, talk rapidly and constantly, have unconnected racing thoughts and ideas, have little need for sleep, and – due to increased libido – involve in promiscuous activities.
While bipolar-depression may be more responsible for (suicidal) deaths than mania, there have been cases when a manic person became so delusional that – believing he can fly – he jumped off a skyscraper.
Apart from the usual manic and depressive episodes there also exist other states of the illness such as the one described in the opening paragraph which depicts a typical mixed stage of the illness when mania and depression overlap each other.
Bipolar disorder and creative genius have been found to be strongly linked and even overlapped with several noted artists, poets, writers, etc suffering and perhaps even benefitting from it. Perhaps this is why several bipolar patients including international celebrities like Stephen Fry claim that if given a choice, they would still choose to live with their bipolar disorder illness.
While the typical and traditional treatment for bipolar disorder is the use of certain mood-stabilizing pills coupled with some others , it is necessary for patients to not only seek psychotherapy (such as CBT – cognitive behavioral therapy) but adopt a positive, disciplined and healthy lifestyle consisting of good diet, regular exercise and meditation etc.
It is important to understand that the highs and lows of bipolar disorder – an incurable but treatable illness – are much more severe than normal mood swings.Perhaps that is why in terms of pain, disability and death, its impact is greater than that of HIV AIDS and ovarian cancer. The World Health Organization has found it to be the the 6th largest cause of disability.
Contrary to seemingly popular belief (and borderline stigma) prevalent about mental disorders, bipolar disorder does not occur primarily in weaker individuals nor is it a fault of the patient. Emphasizing that bipolar has no correlation with personality, Professor Allan Young, a distinguished researcher in the discipline at University of British Columbia says, “Early diagnosis and treatment are important because the condition impacts on so many aspects of a person’s life”. It is hence necessary to note symptoms of it in ourselves and our loved ones as soon as possible and to treat its patients with utmost care and respect.
— By Irfan Shah
The writer is a Bipolar Disorder Patient.  Special thanks to Husna Ali for all her help.
Originally published at South Asia Tribune, Calgary, Canada and Daily News, Karachi (Jang Group).

Filed under: Excerpts & Quotes, Random Ramblings, bipolar disorder, depression, mania, manic depressive illness, mental illness