What is bipolar disorder and how to explain it

It can be extremely challenging for people who don’t live with an illness to fully grasp it’s full entitiy. After all, how can people really understand if they’ve never live it? There may be people in your life that wonder what is bipolar and how does it affect your life and maybe you just really don’t know what to say anymore. It is so hard to explain it over and over and people still don’t understand it or accept it. They say stupid things like “everyone has highs and lows” or “why can’t you just be manic right now” and as people living with bipolar disorder, we’re left in the crumbling ruins of our mental health. So, bookmark this post, share it, save it, pin it, do whatever you have to do in order to keep it in the front of your mind so you know exactly what to say when someone asks what is bipolar.

Start Simple

I think it’s best to assume the other person knows nothing that way you approach the interaction like a blank canvas. I don’t mean this in a way to tell you to talk down to someone, or make them feel stupid, but just to assume that they don’t have a base knowledge of what the illness is and how impactful it can really be.

When you’re describing bipolar disorder, use the correct words but then use simple language to describe the meaning behind it. For example, mania might be better understood as “my brain speeds up really fast and everything seems brighter, louder and more intense.”

Examples of – What Is Bipolar

Mania is like your brain’s “on” switch getting stuck in the super-fast, super-bright position. Everything becomes a blur and speeds up.
It’s an extreme and uncontrollable burst of energy and elevated mood, often feeling unstoppable.
Imagine feeling incredibly “high” or “wired” for a long time.

Using language like this will make it easier for people who don’t live with the illness be able to understand.

Use Simple Comparisons

Comparisons make it easier for people who don’t live with an illness to really develop a deeper grasp of it. It makes something that originally wasn’t relatable become more relatable. So, maybe that person dosn’t understand what life is like with bipolar disorder, but they can imagine the metaphor and therefore can draw a better conclusion about it.

Simple Comparisons for What Is Bipolar

Like a pendulum: It swings from one extreme (mania/highs) to the other (depression/lows), not just a little bit, but widely and noticeably.
Like a thermostat gone wild: Instead of staying at a comfortable temperature, it either cranks the heat way up (mania) or blasts the air conditioning way down (depression), without staying steady.
Like a car with a faulty accelerator and brake: Sometimes it speeds uncontrollably (mania), and other times it grinds to a halt (depression), making it very hard to drive smoothly.
Like a light switch with no “off” or “on” button, just “blindingly bright” and “pitch black”: There’s no in-between, just extreme states.
Like a rollercoaster with extreme highs and terrifying drops: You go from exhilarating speeds and heights to sudden, stomach-lurching plunges.
Like living in a world of exaggerated colors and then faded grays: Emotions are intensely vibrant or completely dulled.

Explain Mania/Hypomania and Depression

I think one of the most common (and annoying) myths about bipolar disorder is how quickly it gets brushed off as being simple “mood swings”. It’s so much more than a casual mood swing now and then. It’s crippling, debilitating, isolating and frankly, awful. Talk to the person about what these moods actually feel like for you and the emotions they evoke. Be real, authentic and if possible and safe for you, extremely honest.

Talk About Common Misconceptions About Bipolar Disorder

We all know there are so many misconceptions about bipolar disorder, and with them floating around in peoples minds, it can be really hard to talk about the actual truth of living with the illness. Spend some time debunking the misconceptions in a gentle way. Avoid getting heated about them because that may lead the person to further speculate about the illness and you might not get all the information across.

Common Misconceptions – Bipolar Disorder Edition

Bipolar disorder is just extreme mood swings.
People with bipolar disorder are always either manic or depressed.
Mania is always fun and productive.

Visit Some Frequently Asked Questions About Bipolar Disorder

How to educate others about bipolar disorder?

Maybe once your conversation is over the person wants to know what they can do to help spread the right information and awareness about the illness. Reassure them that them just learning about it and talking about it in an honest way helps to end the stigma. Having honest and open conversations about mental illness makes a huge difference.

How to support someone with bipolar disorder?

Supporting someone with bipolar disorder involves a combination of understanding, patience, and practical help. Educate yourself about the illness, its symptoms, and effective treatments to better comprehend what your loved one is experiencing. Encourage them to stick with their treatment plan, including medication and therapy, and offer to help with practical tasks like keeping appointments or maintaining a consistent routine. Most importantly, listen without judgment, offer unwavering emotional support, and remember to prioritize your own well-being as a caregiver.

Final Thoughts

In the end, it’s a different experience for everyone living with bipolar disorder, but some things remain consistent. It sucks, it can be extremely lonely and more people need to talk about it in an honest and safe way. By talking about it, you’re helping so much!