World Bipolar Day

Sydney Elder
7 hours ago
3 min read

What is World Bipolar Day?

World Bipolar Day takes place on March 30th every year, and it serves as an opportunity for folks to bring awareness to bipolar disorder and the ways it impacts those affected by it. World Bipolar Day is recognized on famous artist Vincent Van Gogh’s birthday. Van Gogh is said to have had bipolar disorder, along with many other high-achieving public figures known today [1]. Bipolar disorder, while challenging for those with the diagnosis, is something that provides individuals with great creativity and the capacity to see the world beautifully in a way others may not.

Prevalence of Bipolar Disorder

Worldwide, there are an estimated 1 in 200 (37 million) people who are living with bipolar disorder [2]. The global prevalence of bipolar disorder has been estimated to be 2.8% and is said to be as high as 5%. Bipolar disorder is the 6th leading diagnosis leading to disability across the world [3]. It’s valuable to increase awareness of bipolar disorder to eliminate social stigma and discrimination those with this diagnosis experience, often leading to limited access to healthcare services, social exclusion, and limited opportunities for education, employment, and housing [2].

Bipolar I (BP I) versus Bipolar II (BP II): What’s the difference?

Bipolar I and Bipolar II may present with very similar symptoms in an individual’s mood, behaviors, and daily functioning. Although there are several similarities, there are some key differences. The two primary differences in BP I and BP II include the severity of mania symptoms (i.e. hypomania versus mania) and the presence of depressive episodes [4].

Mania symptoms may include persisting elevated, expansive or irritable mood that is uncharacteristic of the person at baseline, abnormally elevated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, increased talkativeness, flight of ideas or racing thoughts, abnormal distractibility, increased energy or goal-directed activity, and abnormally risky behaviors [4]. Hypomania may include some of the aforementioned symptoms but does not meet criteria for a full manic episode. Hypomania is often less impairing and doesn’t require hospitalization, whereas manic episodes typically are more intense in presentation, have higher impacts on daily functioning, may include psychotic features, and frequently lead to hospitalization [4].

Along with mania, anyone with bipolar disorder may experience depressive episodes. While experiencing at least one depressive episode is necessary for diagnosis of BP II, it is not a requirement of BP I to have experienced a depressive episode. BP I primarily requires the presence of mania symptoms, while BP II requires the presence of both depressive symptoms and hypomanic symptoms [4].

Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

Treatment for bipolar disorder often includes a combination of medication, psychotherapy, self management strategies, external support from loved ones, and psychoeducation [5]. Medication commonly used to treat bipolar disorder includes mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants. Antidepressants have the potential to trigger mania symptoms, so it’s important to maintain ongoing conversation with a healthcare provider when using medication treatment for bipolar disorder [6]. Psychotherapy treatments may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), family-focused therapy to aid with psychoeducation of a person’s family members, as well as incorporation of stress management techniques, self-care, and recognition of symptom onset [5]. Treatment is not a one-size-fits-all for those diagnosed with bipolar disorder, so each person’s treatment should be tailored to their specific symptoms and needs.

Sydney Elder, LCMHCA

Sydney strives to help clients understand their experiences, values, and beliefs in a way that is meaningful to the individual. Sydney works from a person-centered perspective to help clients develop effective coping skills, identify areas for personal exploration and growth, and establish a framework for fulfilling needs in the future; which may look like exploring boundaries, cultivating communication skills and emotional awareness, and bringing awareness to and fostering the mind-body connection.

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