Misconceptions About Bipolar Disorder

The author would like to thank the members of the bipolar support group at MDJunction.com for their thoughtful contributions.

Bipolar disorder is not a widely discussed illness in the public arena. Other illnesses, such as depression, have been in the limelight for much longer, and it is clear that some misconceptions about bipolar disorder have emerged during this illness's time in the shadows. Hopefully this article will help to clear up some of the most commonly reported and dreadful misconceptions about bipolar disorder.

The first misconception is that bipolar disorder is not a real illness, but an excuse for selfish individuals to behave in their selfish ways. There is physical evidence in the form of PET (positron emission tomography) scans taken during depressed and manic states. These scans display the level of glucose consumed in the brain, and increased glucose consumption corresponds to increased brain activity. During manic states, consumption levels are outrageously high, but the scans of the depressed brain show only faint blips of consumption (Myers, 481). It should also be noted that patients experience marked changed in physical state during episodes. Changes occur in energy level, appetite, the amount of sleep, and the person's general state of health (Hales, 98). So, contrary to some beliefs, bipolar disorder does present symptoms physically.

People diagnosed with bipolar disorder did not "do something" to get the illness. The symptoms of bipolar disorder are primarily caused by abnormal brain functioning. The causes of bipolar disorder are still largely unknown, but the biggest suspect is genetics. Other chemical, psychological, social, and developmental factors may play a role, but most doctors agree that genetics is by far the leading cause of bipolar disorder (Hales, 100). According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a child with one parent diagnosed with bipolar disorder has a 15 to 30% risk of also having bipolar disorder. When both parents have bipolar disorder, the risk increases to 50 to 75% (DBSA).

Bipolar disorder is not a uniform illness. Even within the different categories or types, many differences remain. For this reason, many patients with bipolar disorder will not receive an accurate diagnosis for up to 10 years, and only one in four are reported to receive an accurate diagnosis within 3 years (DBSA).

Bipolar disorder does not completely disable a person from experiencing regular moods. A reaction of anger, sadness, or happiness does not mean that an individual is experiencing a manic, mixed, or depressive state. Like people without a diagnosed mental illness, individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder will continue to react to the environment during periods of stability.

There are quite a few negative stereotypes about bipolar disorder involving infidelity, substance abuse, and parenting skills. The stereotype about infidelity arises from the tendency for some individuals to become hypersexual during manic episodes, but this does not mean that infidelity is particularly more common with a bipolar partner involved in a relationship (Hales, 103). Substance abuse is a problem with some individuals, but it is not a problem that cannot be overcome. Individuals may self-medicate due to a lack of diagnosis, a lack of medications, or ineffective medications. Due to these behaviors, the National Institute of Mental Health reports that 61% of people with bipolar disorder develop a substance abuse or dependence disorder (Hales, 105). Individuals with bipolar disorder are just as capable of being good parents as any other group of individuals. With proper treatment and medication, the prognosis for bipolar disorder is good, but mood swings may continue to occur (Hales, 112).

Some people may be under the impression that bipolar disorder is "easier" than some other mental illnesses because mania is a time of great happiness. It is true that mania does hold a great deal of euphoria for many individuals with bipolar disorder, but this does not apply to many, possibly most, suffering from this disease. Manic episodes can be absolutely terrifying periods of time because some unfortunate sufferers will actually lose touch with reality (Hales, 97). Others may experience feelings of hostility and paranoia, rather than the elation for which mania is known (Hales, 101). Some individuals with bipolar disorder experience episodes called mixed states, which have characteristics of manic and depressive episodes, and these episodes can be far more draining and terrible than either mania or depression (Hales, 97).

Bipolar disorder has a great deal of undeserved stigma attached to the diagnosis. Hopefully, some of the more harmful misconceptions have been corrected. Living with this disease is difficult, but sometimes living with the stigma is far worse than any diagnosis.

References:
DBSA: Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. "Bipolar Disorder Statistics." 4 May 2006. http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_statistics_bipolar

Hales, Dianne and Robert E. Hales, M.D. Caring for the Mind: The Comprehensive Guide to Mental Health. New York: Bantam Books, 1995.

Myers, David G. Exploring Psychology. Holland, Michigan: Worth Publishers, 2008.