The main reason I'm writing this is that I'm a little ticked off about people constantly saying how it's lazy, abusive or swindling for people with bipolar to be on disability of some kind. Well, I'm actually furious about it because I live with bipolar 1 disorder and so do some of my relatives.
1. What is bipolar 1 and bipolar 2?
According to the diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders (DSM 5): "Bipolar I Disorder is the more serious of the two types of Bipolar Disorder. This is due to the presence of Manic Episodes in the criteria for Bipolar I Disorder. There is an absence of Manic Episodes in the criteria for Bipolar II Disorder, rather it involves a history of hypomania. Hypomania is similar to mania; however, it is not serious enough to cause social or occupational impairment, hospitalization, or psychotic features (American Psychiatric Association, 2000)"
That was a complicated description, so what does it mean for normal English speakers? Bipolar 1 & 2 are both related to a chemical imbalance in the brain and have absolutely nothing to do with drug or alcohol abuse. Bipolar 2 has mild feelings of hyperactivity and exhilaration. While bipolar 1 has more severe manic episodes which involve extreme euphoria and delusions of grandeur.
2. What does mania feel like?
Because I'm not a psychologist I can't speak for bipolar 2 patients, but I can explain bipolar 1.
Simply imagine having someone randomly inject you with either meth or cocaine at any random point in your life (at work, school, watching TV, taking a jog). It "feels" great, like I'm invincible, creative, can accomplish anything and many times I will act on those feelings by starting huge projects that will "make me a millionaire" or accomplish some impossible goal.
It might sound awesome, but remember these feelings are completely false and on rare occasions I can having auditory or visual hallucinations (I hear and see shit that isn't real). The most disabling parts of the manic episodes are the impulsive behavior and irritability. I start some grand task by spending waaaay too much of my own money. Or I feel so awesome that I quit my job/school because "I don't need these losers anymore". This is why many people with bipolar are unemployed and sometimes end up homeless.
3. What does depression feel like?
Pure and sudden sadness for NO reason. Basically like an emo chick on PMS. I can't enjoy anything; all food tastes terrible, every TV show and movie suck, all my video games are boring, reading sucks, all my friends are assholes and there's no point in exercising because "I'm just gonna die anyway".
4. Is bipolar life threatening?
Absolutely! Many studies show that at least %15 of people with bipolar will die by their own hand (suicide). Also, another %60 - %85 will consider suicide or attempt it. Often times people with bipolar will also attempt dangerous activities during manic episodes which result in serious injury or death.
5. Is bipolar really a disability?
Duh! If %15 are dying, most are losing their jobs or end up homeless than yes it is a real disability. Regardless of what some a*hole on the internet or some dork at work tells you, people with bipolar have every right to be on disability. Any psychologist or psychiatrist will validate this by saying bipolar is more than enough to be on disability.
6. Are there any benefits to bipolar?
Bipolar is sometimes called the "Curse of Creativity". Many celebrities and artists are well known to suffer from the disorder: Demi Lovato, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Scott Stapp. have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Every cloud has a silver lining, just like other disabilities have some advantages: blind people can hear better, Beethoven was deaf and you should totally check out a condition called macromastia.
Conclusion
I hope you read at least some of this and learned that bipolar really is a problem, but should not be a stigma.
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