Bipolar disorder or manic depression is a mental disorder causing extreme mood swings and behaviours. There are two major type of episodes : manic (-hypomanic-) or depressive. Another type of episode is called mixed episode and presents both depressive and manic symptoms. The episodes can last for weeks, months or sometimes years. This disorder can be genetic, environnemental or neurological.
It is mostly diagnosed during late adolescence or early adulthood, but it is often misdiagnosed as depression, causing wrong medications. It can take up to ten years to get a bipolar diagnosis. During manic episodes, one can avoid medical help and therefore not show manic episode in front of the medical corps.


We distinguish two type of bipolar disorder :
– Type 1 : Full manic episodes and minor depressive episode
– Type 2 : Major depressive episode and hypomanic* episode (*less severe manic episode)

The symptoms are common for the two type of bipolar but their severity are different.

Manic/hypomanic symptoms :
– irritable mood
– euphoria, grandiosity
– dangerous behaviours (financially, sexually, substance abuse)
– racing thoughts
– little sleep
– psychotic symptoms
– multiple unfinished or new projects
– lack of appetite
– need to engage into a lot of new projects, without being able to finish them


Depressive symptoms :
– sadness
– loss of interest
– suicidal thoughts
– self-harm
– weight loss
– fatigue
– lack of appetite and/or bulimia

How is the disorder treated?
With psychotherapy and medicines. Nowadays we use different type of meds like (non exhaustive list) :
– Mood stabilisers are used in order to limit the mood swings and regulate the symptoms. It reduces the risk of self harm, suicidal thoughts and excessive/dangerous behaviours.
– Antipsychotics to manage psychosis and mood swings.
– Antidepressants for the depressive episodes ; however it can worsen the depressive episode with the wrong meds or dosage, due to sides effects. They are other common side effects, each individual

Now here is my vision as a person who has bipolar type 2. I personally experienced all of the symptoms i’ve listed before. It feels like being a rollercoaster with a blindfold. You never know what’s next , you can only learn to get use to it and look up for the details that would trigger the switch. It usually is too late when you realise you’re manic. Through the years i learned how it works and i can have a better approach when i feel like switching. I am conscious of the symptoms and i do what i can to control the excessive behaviours. My meds are also helping a lot.
However, it took me six years to get a bipolar diagnosis, before that it was mistaken for depression. When i got diagnosed, it was a relief. I was finally able to put a word on what was going on. I read a lot about it and tried different approaches to cope with the symptoms. It got better with a lot of patience and the right meds. Finding the proper dosage wasn’t easy, it took a lot of blood tests and a lot of therapist appointments.
I am conscious it’s a lifetime condition, that can only be accepted in order to be in peace with it. It’s part of me, it doesn’t define me but it gives explanations for my behaviours and moods.
I think that’s how a diagnosis should be seen : it’s an explanation for the different symptoms that gives a hint to the correct answer.
For me, being bipolar is kinda like living in a show. In the show that’s my life, there are episodes. There’s a plot, there’s disruption all the time, it never stops, i simply never know what’s next. Usually, it ends up as a joke. I laugh about it thinking of what i’ve done, nothing really matters anymore. I am unhinged and i don’t care at all. I don’t take it seriously until i am not euphoric anymore, when all the high goes down and when my mind starts being all psychotic again. I’ve learn to write down all of my symptoms everyday and i’m using this in therapy with my psychiatrist. He’s adjusting my dosage, he’s attentive and careful of the potential side effects.

That’s it for now, my manic self and i we’re working on the blog right now.

Lev