50 shades of me

Tw: sensitive content

(Bipolar disorder) 

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder it is also known as manic depression; bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). In layman’s terms, it is a roller-coaster of emotions where the highs are really high and the lows are really low.

As with every other disorder bipolar disorder also has different degrees to it the three types are as follows:

1. bipolar I

2.  bipolar II

3. cyclothymic disorder

How does it affect a person?

Bipolar disorder affects a person’s daily life like interactions, thoughts, energy, ability to concentrate, etc.

Some people with bipolar disorder have more frequent and severe episodes than others. 

It makes it very difficult to do a normal task when your emotions are heightened it also is easy for a person to make rash decisions as they are not completely rational.

The battle isn’t between you and them it’s between you and yourself but in the end, you just need some empathy.

What are the symptoms?

Like every other disorder of illness bipolar disorder also has its own sets of symptoms keeping in mind not every person is the same the symptoms are also subjective.

Depression

• tiredness

• lack of appetite

• worthlessness

• hopelessness

• difficulty sleeping

• suicidal thoughts

Mania

• overjoyed

• talkativeness

• easily distracted

• being delusional

• not feeling like sleeping

• easily irritated

How to cope with bipolar disorder

Getting professionals help is the first thing one must do in any disorder or illness but here are some self-help strategies that may also help

• monitor your pattern

• make a healthy sleep schedule

• try to minimize stress

• join a support group

• exercise

• snuggling with your cat

Things that may also help

Watching a movie or listening to a podcast related to how you feel can also help you deal with your disorder here are some recommendations to deal with/know your bipolar disorder better:

1. Silver Linings Playbook by David O Russell (movie)

2. Infinity polar bear by Maya Forbes (movie)

3. The Hours by Stephen Daldry (movie)

4. The bipolar diaries by Anastasia McLean (podcast)

5. Living with Bipolar type II by Laura Bain (Ted talk)

As the cover of Kanye West's album “Ye” said “I hate being Bi-Polar it’s awesome”