Bipolar disorder

There is a misconception around bipolar disorder that somebody will just oscillate between feeling good and bad. This is too simplified and doesn't really capture what people with Bipolar will experience. There are actually 3 main types of Bipolar disorder...

• Bipolar I
• Bipolar II
• Cyclothemia

Symptoms of Bipolar are broken down into depressive and manic. The depressive symptoms can include things such loss of energy, loss of sex drive, feeling fatigued, lack of interest in things which once were enjoyed, loss of appetite etc. Manic symptoms are at the opposite end of the spectrum (hence the very definition Bipolar). These can involve excessive amounts of energy, feeling reckless, loss of inhibitions, talking quickly and spending large amounts of money with little consideration of the consequences.

Treatments for Bipolar include CBT and medication. It can also be important for those close to you to understand about your symptoms and how to best support you should you experience an episode around them.