World Bipolar Day
Thursday 30 March
I am no longer ashamed of my diagnosis. I choose to view myself as a warrior rather than a wounded victim.
The term bipolar refers to the way your mood can change between two very different states – mania and depression. In the past, people used to refer to bipolar disorder as manic depression. But these terms can lead to misunderstanding.
People may think bipolar disorder means only having mood swings between severe mania and depression. But it is much more complex than this. If you have bipolar disorder, you're likely to have times where you experience:
These mood episodes can range from severe depression to mania, and anything in between. Sometimes your episodes may feel intense and other times you may feel stable. And you may never experience certain mood episodes. For example, not everyone with bipolar disorder will experience mania.
Bipolar disorder can make you feel like you have little control. However, there are lots of things you can do to manage your symptoms and improve your wellbeing.
Learn more
Seeing someone you care about going through the moods and symptoms of bipolar disorder can feel distressing. But you can offer support in lots of ways, while also looking after your own wellbeing.
Hear from Nicole, who shared her experiences after being diagnosed with Bipolar 1 in 2004, to struggling with depression and anxiety, before learning to embrace her diagnosis and build her self-worth.
Read Nicole’s story
We’ve started by busting some myths around bipolar disorder and offer some information and support for people living with it.
