World Bipolar Day 2022

By Priscah Angwenyi

World Bipolar Day is celebrated annually on 30th March. Newsline interviewed Dr. Gibson Mareko, Senior Medical Specialist department of Mental Health on bipolar mood disorder. This year’s theme is #BipolarTogether!

NL: What is Bipolar Disorder?

It is a condition that features extreme shifts in mood and fluctuations in energy and activity levels that make day-to-day living difficult.

NL: What are the major symptoms of the condition?

The main symptoms of this condition are alternating episodes of extreme euphoria, mania, and major depression.

The fluctuations can be severe, but moods may be normal between the peaks and troughs. The mood swings involved in bipolar disorder are far severe, debilitating and incapacitating. Hallucinations may also occur in some people.

NL: How do symptoms vary from one person to another?

Some people have clear mood swings, with symptoms of mania and then depression each lasting for several months, or with months of stability between them. Some spend months or years in a ‘’high’’ or ‘’low’’ mood. A ‘’mixed state’’ is when a manic and a depressive episode happen at the same time. The person may feel negative, as with depression, but they may also feel ‘’wired’’ and restless.

Mania or hypomania is a ‘’high’’ mood with symptoms such as: • Impaired judgment • Missing work or school and underperforming • A sense of distraction or boredom • Excessive self-confidence, an inflated sense of self-esteem and self-importance • Likelihood of engaging in risky behavior • ‘’Racing’’ thoughts that come quickly and go quickly, and bizarre • A sense of being on top of the world

NL: What are the symptoms of the depressive side of the mood disorder?

• Extreme sadness • Insomnia & sleeping problems • Anxiety about trivial things • Pain or physical problems that do not respond to treatment • Guilt and a feeling that everything that goes wrong or appears wrong is their fault • Weight loss or gain • Inability to face going to work or school, possibly leading to underperformance • Irritation is possibly triggered by noises, smells, tight clothing, and other things that would usually be tolerated or ignored

In severe cases, the individual may think of suicide, and they may act on those thoughts. Children and teenagers with bipolar disorder are more likely to have temper tantrums, rapid mood changes, outbursts of aggression, explosive anger, and reckless behavior. The features must be episodic rather than chronic to receive a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

NL: What are treatment options available?

Treatment aims to minimize the frequency of manic and depressive episodes and reduce the severity of symptoms to enable a relatively normal and productive life. It combines medications, psychotherapy, and hospitalization (use of mood stabilizers, antipsychotics & anticonvulsants).

NL: What is the take-home for anyone with the condition?

Talk therapy, physical exercise, and a balanced diet help enhance the overall mental health of a human being.