I suffer from Bipolar Disorder and man, it’s like riding a roller coaster without ever getting off. You’ve got your up days where you feel on top of the world, like you can do anything—start new projects, talk to hundreds of people, make grand plans. Then, the world drops from under you, and you hit these intense lows. You can’t get out of bed, you feel unworthy and just lost. Diagnosing it wasn’t a walk in the park either. Took several doctor visits to figure out what was actually going on. They asked heaps of questions about how I was feeling, my sleep patterns, if I had any thoughts of grandiosity in my happy spells, along with my family’s health history. It was a process, but I finally got the help needed.

Main Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder:

Bipolar Disorder is characterized by dramatic mood swings which include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). During a manic phase, individuals may experience increased energy, euphoria, inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, and more goal-directed activities. Conversely, during a depressive phase, they might face feelings of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, and a decreased energy level that can hinder day-to-day activities.

Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder:

Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder typically involves a detailed evaluation by a mental health professional. This includes a medical exam to rule out other conditions, a psychiatric assessment, and a review of family medical history. Psychiatric assessment can involve interviews, mental health questionnaires, and mood charting. For a diagnosis, symptoms must meet the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). It often differentiates between several types of bipolar disorder, each with distinct patterns of symptoms.

Bipolar disorder, yeah, I read about it once in a magazine. It’s something to do with extreme mood swings, right? I think they said like one minute you could be really happy, and then the other extremely sad. Isn’t it just about being moody? And I heard they do some talking and questionnaires to figure it out if someone has it. Sounds complicated!

Bipolar disorder is truly fascinating yet utterly complex. It oscillates between two extremes—mania and depression. Manic episodes involve high energy, reduced need for sleep, and often reckless behaviour, while depressive episodes are the complete opposite, marked by low energy, low motivation, and a significant level of disinterest in life. Diagnosis? Well, it’s equally complex as well. It involves consultations with healthcare professionals, psychological evaluations, and ensuring symptoms are not linked to other illnesses. It’s not something you’d wish on anyone, really.

So, my cousin got diagnosed with something called ‘Bipolar Disorder’ or something? Sounds rough! She told me there are days she’s super pumped, getting all her work done, and then suddenly, she’d be crying in her room the next week. Something about mood swings? I guess doctors talked with her for long periods, asked about her family and how she feels day-to-day, and then they figured it out. I’m just glad she’s getting help, man.