The ups and downs of bipolar

We’re all on one big, beautiful continuum of mental health.

Some of us are diagnosed lifelong ‘sufferers’; others experience passing bouts of mental ill health; a lucky few have minds totally unencumbered by the pressures and quirks of mental illness. But even within those groups, we’re all on a sliding scale.

For those with bipolar disorder, that scale is just a little steeper.

Lifting the lid on bipolar disorder

People with bipolar tend to experience extremes of mood: fluctuating between depression, and mania. Episodes can last for several weeks or months – with more stable periods in between. But it’s not the same experience for everyone; cycles differ, as do the symptoms.

Depressive episodes can include:

• Difficulty sleeping

• A lack of energy

• Reduced appetite

• Loss of interest in things you’d usually enjoy

• Trouble concentrating or remembering things

• Feelings of sadness, guilt, worthlessness, emptiness, hopelessness or despair

• Hallucinations or illogical thoughts

• Irritability

When experiencing mania, symptoms often look like:

• An abundance of energy or talking quickly

• A sense of self-importance

• Grand plans and an effusion of ideas

• Being easily distracted, agitated or irritated

• A lack of desire to eat or sleep

• Taking risks or making harmful decisions

• Hallucinations or illogical thoughts

Quite a ride, huh? It can be pretty scary to experience extremes of mood; especially before you’ve had a solid diagnosis, begun taking meds, or started seeking help.

If you are diagnosed with bipolar, you need to know that – as with most mental illnesses – it ain’t all bad. As Form Founder Rob Stephenson can certainly attest to.

Bipolar as a superpower

Sometimes referred to as an emotional amplifier, bipolar disorder often manifests as extremes: extreme ups, and extreme downs.

When the downs are carefully managed through medication or therapy, many people with bipolar see the ups as a valuable superpower. And as long as you have safety parameters in place, that’s an incredibly powerful outlook to adopt.

If you’re curious about ‘safety parameters’, the concept was beautifully illustrated during Rob’s recent ‘The Form Guide’ chat with Andrew Tarver, Founder at Jigsaw XYZ. Andrew, who also experiences bipolar disorder, talked about how he’s put trusted people around him in business who can intervene if reckless decisions were to be made as a result of a manic episode.

So long as you’re protecting yourself, and others, from decisions or actions that may be harmful, the ups that come with bipolar disorder can be harnessed in a really positive way.

For Form Founder Rob, he talks of how bipolar gives him the ability to be highly creative; to show no fear of failure, and to be able to implement things at a pace that many would struggle to match. It allows him to challenge the status quo of mental health; to dismantle stereotypes and tear up labels.

“It can be a superpower at times, but it comes at a price. One I am willing to pay.”

From actors to politicians, astronauts to media moguls, the world has been shaped by people with bipolar. The increased sense of creativity and purpose, when managed safely, can be channelled into such high-level accomplishments that many bipolar sufferers (Rob and Andrew Tarver included), wouldn’t be without their diagnosis; despite the lows.

Smashing the bipolar stigma

We’ve come a long way in recent years. Manic depression, as it was once known, was one of the most heavily stereotyped and stigmatised mental illnesses in the public psyche. But times are changing.

We know that bipolar can be effectively managed with the right treatment – the right treatment does, of course, differ for everyone – and that people experiencing bipolar can have incredible lives, and truly illustrious careers (can you say KANYE?)

Love him or loathe him, Kanye West has actually done a great deal to bring bipolar disorder specifically, and mental health in general, into the spotlight. The brighter the spotlight, the smaller the stigma.

But, as is always the case with mental illness, there’s still a way to go. So we’ll keep sharing our stories, celebrating the fantastic achievements of fellow sufferers, and encouraging others to speak out about their experiences.

Because there’s nothing we can’t do.

Useful resources

Untreated, bipolar disorder can be truly devastating. If you have any of the symptoms listed above, or you’re concerned for your own or someone else’s mental health, we’d urge you to see your GP, or speak to a mental health professional.

You can find lots of information about the different types of bipolar disorder at Mind. Mind also outlines some great steps for managing your own self-care when suffering from bipolar, along with suggested treatments and information for family and friends on helping someone with bipolar disorder.

Finally, you can find our poster with wellbeing tips for those living with bipolar disorder here.

Article by Emma Attenborough-Sergeant, The Wellness Writer.

With a passion for mental health and wellbeing, Emma set up The Wellness Writer to help leaders and organisations improve culture and engagement through relatable wellness content.