Let’s talk about bipolar disorder

National bipolar awareness day is observed on 26 May to highlight and break the stigma surrounding the condition in society. Susan Reynolds, a psychologist in Constantia Kloof defined bipolar as two moods; a low mood and a hyper mood. She said someone with bipolar disorder would go through phases that often last days, during which they are in a hyper mood and are active, energetic and sometimes even missing sleep. After that, they will experience a low mood for a number of days during which they are very depressed. “They are dealing with ups and downs all the time.

“There are two types of bipolar disorder: bipolar 1 where you have the visible highs and lows. Bipolar 2 also has the highs and lows, but mostly lows with just a few spurs of energy for a day or so,” she explained.

With clinical depression the individual would only experience the low mood, whereas someone with bipolar disorder has periods where they feel extremely good. Susan explained that the severity depends because people experience different symptoms. She said when they are in the hyper phase the individual suffering from bipolar disorder can also become very irresponsible by going on shopping sprees, max out credit cards or gamble. “But then of course in the low moods the person can become suicidal.”

The best way to recognise bipolar disorder in someone is to look out for the sudden change in moods from extremely high to very low. Impulsive and irresponsible behaviours are also signs to look out for. The best way to help a friend or family member you suspect suffers from bipolar disorder is to try and motivate that person to see a psychiatrist to get a diagnosis. “Psychologists or even general practitioners can see when someone suffers from bipolar disorder but we cannot make the diagnosis. Always try and get the person to see a psychiatrist who can then make the diagnosis and prescribe the correct medication because it is a chemical imbalance in the brain and it can be treated. Medication restores the balance,” Susan clarified.

The best way to break the stigma around mental health is to get the knowledge and understand the condition. Understanding what bipolar disorder is makes it easier to understand the behaviour and ultimately support the person. “It’s also important to just be there. If that person starts going into a low mood, just be there and offer support. Even in the up phase, make the persons aware that they are doing things that are not okay, but in a way that they don’t feel that they are being attacked or blamed, because they do not always realise that they are going into the phases. Then ask them ‘How can I help you? What can we do?’,” the psychologist advised. She said the most important thing was to ensure that the persons were taking their medication as prescribed.

There are a number of reasons why people often hesitate to seek help when dealing with mental health issues, among them the high cost of consulting a professional, as well as the stigma. Suffering from bipolar disorder or depression is not a weakness. “You are not a weak person because you’re bipolar, but the affordability of psychiatric services in South Africa definitely is a problem. There are very good psychiatrists at government hospitals, but the availability of the medication is a problem,” Susan explained. She said activities that feed your soul and self-care are good ways to help cope with bipolar disorder, including exercise because it releases feel-good chemicals in the brain.

Contact the South African Depression and Anxiety Group on 011 234 4837