What is bipolar disorder?
A disorder which affects your mood. Mood swings go from extreme lows (depression) and extreme highs (mania). These mood swings can last for weeks or even longer and can make you feel like you never have a "normal" mood.
Depressive episodes can cause you to feel worthless and cause extreme low mood. Extreme depressive episodes can cause you have suicidal thoughts and tendencies. It is common for people with bipolar to initially be diagnosed with depression until they have a manic episode (which can take years).
Manic episodes can cause you feel very happy with lots of energy, ambition and plans. In less extreme cases, manic episodes can be seen as a positive experience. However, the following are common during manic episodes:
- Overspending on items that you normally would not want
- Not wanting to eat or sleep
- Talking quickly
- Becoming annoyed and irritated quickly
- Psychosis can also occur during manic episodes. This causes you to see or hear things that are not really there. Depending on the severity of the psychosis it can cause you to believe things that are not real.
Public Figures with Bipolar
Demi Lovato
Russell Brand
Mariah Carey
Demi has been very open about her mental health struggles. She was diagnosed with bipolar in 2011 and is an advocate for mental health.
Mariah Carey
Russell Brand
Mariah Carey
Mariah was diagnosed in 2001 but it took many years for her to accept her diagnosis. In April 2018 she went public with her diagnosis to try and help reduce the stigma around mental health.
Russell Brand
Russell Brand
Russell Brand
Russell was diagnosed with depression at a young age and late bipolar following manic episodes. He uses his platform to increase awareness of mental health issues.
Stephen Fry
Carrie Fisher
Russell Brand
Stephen was not diagnosed with bipolar until he was 37 but suffered from mental health problems since he was a child. He now tries to raise public awareness on mental health.
Carrie Fisher
Carrie Fisher
Carrie Fisher
Carrie who starred in Star Wars was diagnosed with bipolar when she was 28. She spent a lot of time raising awareness and encouraging people to talk about mental health.