Between Scylla and Charybdis: 7 myths about bipolar disorder

Mental health problems in Russia is so stigmatized, it is still perceived by others wrong. There are many myths about what is bipolar disorder, who are often born from the distortions in the movies or serials. It is important to understand that bipolar disorder - not a single action or a feeling, but a chronic disease that is characterized by two models of emotional and behavioral dysfunction. Editorial Heroine gathered the most popular myths about the disease, as well as to sort out which of them exist in reality.

Myth 1: It is a rare disease

Bipolar disorder is reported in two million people aged between 18 and 45 years in the US, and one in five Americans suffers from mental illness. In Russia, official data reported 2-4% of the population, but reliable statistics can not hope: in a society still prejudices about the psychiatric institutions has retained.

Myth 2. Bipolar disorder - a frequent mood swings

It is a common misconception usually states that a person may be very upset at one point and in a moment become very happy with bipolar disorder. To meet the criteria for a diagnosis of bipolar I or bipolar disorder II, you must have a distinct major depressive episodes and manic-hypomanic episodes. Each of these episodes must last for at least several days or even weeks to diagnosis was confirmed. If you feel the mood change several times a day - it can not be called bipolar disorder.

Myth 3. manic episode patients are happy to

Manic episode might not be the same as in the description sounds. During his person may experience unreasonably elevated mood that feels quite nice. However, in a manic episode may also be present irritability, inflated self-esteem, excessive desire to communicate with others or dramatic behavior that does not lead to a feeling of happiness.

Myth 4: All the emotions caused by the patient's disease

Not every emotion that occurs in a person with bipolar disorder, is an irrational or unjustified. A person with diabetes can be a sore throat, it is absolutely not related to the underlying disease, and the person with bipolar disorder is not always experiencing change of mood due to her illness. If you hang out with bipolyarschikom that looks frustrated, show concern and involvement, and asked what was wrong, and do not try to put everything down to a feature of the disease.

Myth 5. Episodes approximately equal

Unfortunately for bipolar patients more time is spent on it to cope with the depressed state than mania. Doctors call it "unfair" disease in which the status of "at least" is much longer and considerably complicates life.

Myth 6. With this you can not handle

Bipolar disorder can be treated - a combination of psychotherapy, psychoeducation and special preparations. Drugs typically include mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. They need to take to the destination and to take into account that we can not independently change the dosage or stop taking it altogether. Psychotherapy allows you to deal with how to rebuild their lives during the episodes, as well as to develop effective treatments for the symptoms.

Myth 7. bipolyarke only help drug

Medications are only required for heavy phase of the episode, in other situations, it may help, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Competent experts are also involved in the adaptation of the patient's family members, in order to help them to find contact points in both episodes. More often patients with bipolar disorder recommend the use of group therapy, which allows you to find support and to continue the treatment.

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