Bipolar disorders cause emotional, social, and practical challenges that lead to stigma. Oftentimes, the mental health problem is portrayed in an exaggerated form with violent images, inaccurate depictions, and demeaning language.
Such presentations lead to stigma and can affect people living with bipolar disorder. A 2021 survey on Mood Disorders found that 61% of the participants experienced different treatment after their friends and families learned they had bipolar disorder.
The stigma around people with bipolar disorder can aggravate one’s symptoms and cause them to develop low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, low quality of life, and depressive thoughts. That’s why people with bipolar disorder need to learn about healthy ways of coping with the stigma.
Before looking at ways of dealing with stigma around bipolar disorder, it would help to know the myths associated with the illness.
Myths around Bipolar Disorder
You’ve probably heard some myths about bipolar disorder:
- Bipolar is a rare problem: People use this myth to blow off patients with the problem. On the contrary, bipolar disorder affects 2.3 million people in the U.S., which is equal to 1% of Americans
- There’s no treatment for bipolar: Patients with self-internalized stigma tend to believe this myth to avoid treatment. The truth is bipolar disorder can be treated using medication, therapy, support groups, etc
- Everyone gets moody: Mood swings are a common symptom in people with bipolar disorder, but people who hardly understand the condition may say that everyone experiences moods. This myth trivializes the highs and lows of mood swings associated with bipolar disorder. The difference is that someone with bipolar disorder struggles to focus, impeding their ability to work effectively
4 Ways of Dealing with Stigma Around Bipolar Disorder
Here are ways patients with bipolar disorder can deal with stigma
Accept the Diagnosis
While most of the stigma comes from people around patients with bipolar disorder, patients also experience self-stigma. This type of stigma is self-internalized and develops when the patient refuses to accept the diagnosis.
This stigma makes the patient believe that other people’s view of them is true and can make it difficult to express their identity. Accepting the diagnosis helps them seek help for the mental health problem, which goes a long way in managing bipolar disorder symptoms.
Enlighten Others
One of the main causes of stigma around bipolar disorder is failure to understand the medical condition. Most people have misconceptions about bipolar disorder as portrayed in movies and books.
The good book applauds those with understanding by citing “The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.” (Proverb 19:8) As such, patients with bipolar should educate their families and friends more about this mental health problem.
Simply put, bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by extreme changes in energy levels and mood. The most common symptoms of bipolar disorder are:
- Depression
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of interest in everyday activities
The patient should also explain that these symptoms make social and professional interactions challenging. Once they understand more about the condition, they’re likely to see you realistically without stigmatizing you.
Develop Coping Mechanisms
It would help to be proactive at dealing with the negative emotions associated with bipolar disorder by:
- Journaling: Write how you feel throughout the day, taking note of triggers and your feelings after taking medication. You could include encouraging messages on your best days, so something is encouraging to read on your worst days
- Learn how to manage stress: Stress can trigger bipolar disorder symptoms, hence the need to learn how to manage them. You could look for a therapist, engage in activities that calm the nervous system, e.g., listening to music, yoga, walking, etc., or learn mindfulness techniques
- Having a support system: You need to foster supportive connections around you. You may join support groups or people who have a common interest
- Develop an interest: It would help to develop a hobby or interest away from your normal work routine
Disclose the Condition to Relevant Persons
Bipolar disorder poses unique challenges to patients at work or school. Oftentimes, patients prefer hiding the problem from their colleagues and employers to avoid stigma or getting laid off. However, it isn’t always possible, especially if the patient needs to make specific adjustments to make work easier.
It would help to talk about the condition with the employer to help them understand your need for accommodation. In fact, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows people living with mental health problems to request reasonable accommodations at the workplace. Be sure to consult your therapist or mental health care provider before disclosing the problem to your employer.
Conclusion
The stigma around bipolar disorder can be stressful. The four points discussed above can help you deal with the problem and live a comfortable life. Begin by accepting the diagnosis, then enlighten those around you about the condition, and develop coping mechanisms. And if the condition presents unique challenges, consider disclosing it to relevant persons.
