7 Myths of Bipolar Disorder That Aren't True ...

Corina

There are a lot of myths of bipolar disorder out there and none of them are actually true. Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that affects a lot of people and even though there is much that it’s still unknown about this disorder, there are still a lot of things people can do to deal with it in a healthier way. There are a lot of misconceptions about this mental illness and a lot of people don’t really know what bipolar disorder actually is. Here are some of the most well-known myths of bipolar disorder that aren’t true:

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:

1. There is Only One Type of Bipolar Disorder

In my opinion, this is one of the most well-known myths of bipolar disorder that aren’t actually true. A lot of people think that there is only one type of bipolar disorder but they couldn’t be more wrong. There are actually several types: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymic bipolar disorder, rapid cycling bipolar disorder and mixed bipolar disorder.

2. Manic Depression is Different than Bipolar Disorder

What most people know under the name of manic depression is in fact bipolar disorder; the first is just the old name for this disorder. It was changed to describe more accurately the type of mood disorder that it is, which is “someone who experiences swings between two poles of mood (or emotion)” and those two poles are mania and depression.

Frequently asked questions

3. It’s the Same Thing as Depression

Bipolar depression is not the same thing as depression even though a lot of times, it can mimic clinical depression. There are a lot of studies that show that up to 25 percent of people are misdiagnosed with depression even though they suffer from bipolar disorder.

4. Very Few People Have Bipolar Disorder

This is another very common myth of bipolar disorder that isn’t actually true. Most people think that very few people suffer from bipolar disorder and that this condition doesn’t affect too many people. In fact, they couldn’t be more wrong because many people choose to not disclose their condition to colleagues or acquaintances because they don’t want to be discriminated against. Statistics show that almost 6 million American are affected each year by this disorder.

5. Children Can’t Get Bipolar Disorder

This myth couldn’t be more false! Actually, studies show that children as young as 6 years old can develop bipolar disorder. Usually, when this disorder presents itself at a young age, there’s often a corresponding family history of mood disorders. Another important fact to keep in mind is that “Children who develop it can experience many periods of depression before the first manic episode, making it harder to diagnose.”

Related Videos about

6. It’s Just a Dramatic Term for Mood Swings

Bipolar disorder is not just a dramatic term for mood swings. We all experience mood swings due to all kinds of reasons, but bipolar disorder is just a bit more. While a mood swing is a short-term feeling that lasts only a few minutes, bipolar mood swings are different, since they can last for weeks or months.

7. Bipolar Disorder Affects Only Mood

Even though the most well-known symptoms of bipolar disorder are mood-related, it can affect a lot of other things. For example, when people with bipolar disorder experience high or lows, they can experience problems with overall cognitive functions as well. Also, this disorder can mess with your sleep patterns, causing insomnia or oversleeping. Studies show that highs and lows can also contribute to bad lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking and poor diet.

There are a lot of myths of bipolar disorder out there that aren’t actually true. I just mentioned a few in this article but I’m sure there are many more I could add to this list. Do you know any other myths of bipolar disorder? Please tell us about them in the comments section!

Sources: psychcentral.com, health.howstuffworks.com

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Being bipolar is a bitch. I'm 55 and still working to find a VA shrink who can treat me effectively. Am I the only one who approaches doctors warily due to previous treatment?

As someone with bipolar, who is continually bombarded with these assumptions; thank you ^_^

Isn't there a new diagnosis for children who have symptoms similar to bipolar according to the new dsm? Or am I confused?

Thank you for posting this. My father is bipolar and it is a constant struggle for our family.

How about addressing the fact that we are NOT crazy! I have suffered from a different form of bipolar and schizophrenia for years and I would not hurt anything. I'm actually very safe and almost "normal". I just take my meds.

my bipolar disorder went so horribly undiagnosed for so long it just about killed me. now i am on meds and have a much better grip on it. ive honestly found that the worst part of the condition is the way i am perceived by those who i tell. i am very upfront about my disorder and the level of ignorance will still never cease to amaze me. my disorder isnt what makes me who i am, but it is a huge part of my everyday life. thank you for this post

This is true. I struggled with my bipolar disorder for years, I didn't want to be medicated anymore, so when I finally got off medication, I learned how to deal with it on my own. But its still an on going battle. My manic episodes are now productive and my depression isn't as bad. I've just learned to tell myself that things will get better.

Amen!!

Related Topics

7 Things You Need to Know about Strokes ... 9 Health Mistakes You Should Avoid Making ... 7 Possible Causes of a Toothache ... Effortless Ways to Prevent Menopausal Memory Loss Every 40 Woman Should Know ... 7 Car Repairs You Should Not Ignore ... 7 Things You May Not Know about Migraine Sufferers ... Research Shows These Are 7 Ways Women Can Reduce Their Cancer Risk ... Everything You Need to Know about Water Filters ... Why Every Woman Needs Vitamin a Every Day ... 7 Things You Should Know about Your Feet ...