Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings. These swings range from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows (depression), and bipolar disorder has a serious impact on the daily lives of people who have it.
If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you might be struggling to understand the diagnosis or manage the condition. Bipolar disorder requires proper treatment, but there are many misconceptions about it that can make it hard to uncover the truth.
The clinical team at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates is here to help. In this post, we’re debunking four common myths about bipolar disorder to help people find the care they need.
Although the term “bipolar” is heard often in popular culture, many people still believe that bipolar disorder is a rare condition that almost no one really has. This isn’t true.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 2.8% of Americans have bipolar disorder. That means that millions of people are affected by the condition, making it more common than many people realize.
Another common misconception is that everyone has mood swings, and that bipolar disorder is just an exaggeration of normal mood swings.
The truth is that the mood swings people with bipolar disorder experience are far more severe than the normal ups and downs of everyday life. The shifts in mood that bipolar disorder causes can last for days, weeks, or even months, and can severely impact a person's ability to function in their daily life.
Many people think that people with bipolar disorder are always in a manic or depressive state, but this is not the case.
Most people with bipolar disorder experience periods of stability, called "euthymia," in between episodes of mania and depression. This is why most professionals refer to the condition as "bipolar disorder" rather than "manic depression." Treatment for bipolar disorder is focused on extending and maintaining these periods of euthymia.
Some people believe bipolar disorder isn’t a real mental health condition and that people with bipolar disorder just need to try harder to control their moods. This isn’t true.
Bipolar disorder is a complex and chronic condition that requires proper treatment to manage. Willpower alone is not enough to control the symptoms of bipolar disorder, and mental health professionals recommend medication and therapy to help.
If you think you might have bipolar disorder, it’s important to seek professional care. Talking to a qualified mental health professional is the only way to know for certain if you have bipolar disorder and start getting the treatment you need.
At Boston Neurobehavioral Associates, your provider asks questions about your life and your symptoms. If they diagnose you with bipolar disorder, the next step is starting treatment.
We specialize in telehealth services for bipolar disorder. Depending on your needs, we may recommend psychotherapy sessions, medication, and other therapies aimed at regulating your mood and improving your quality of life.
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health condition that affects millions of people. But with all the misconceptions about the condition, it can be difficult for people to understand and manage it. By debunking these myths, we hope to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding bipolar disorder.
To learn more, request an appointment at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates online or call the office nearest you today.
