March 30 is World Bipolar Day.

Feb 26, 2024

In Canada, approximately 1.5 % of the population live with bipolar disorder.

Many of us have heard of it, but not many of us understand what it is.

For example, have you ever heard the word ‘bipolar’ used to describe the weather when it doesn’t seem to know if it wants to rain or shine?

These comments demonstrate the lack of understanding about what living with Bipolar Disorder actually means and perpetuate stigma.

This stigma prevents people who live with this condition from educating people about it, and often, from seeking the help they need to manage it.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function.

Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe, but can be managed with treatment.

The precise causes of bipolar disorder are unknown. However, there is strong evidence that biological factors, including genetics, play an important role. Stress or difficult family relationships do not cause the illness. However, these factors may trigger an episode in someone who already has the illness.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis

Bipolar disorder can be hard to diagnose because it has many symptoms. Additionally, many people will have a long period between depressive and manic phases, and people are likely to seek help only when they are experiencing depressive symptoms.

To help determine whether someone has bipolar disorder, health care professionals will ask about thoughts, feelings, behaviour, and personal and family medical history.

There are no laboratory tests for bipolar disorder, but tests can rule out illnesses that have similar symptoms, such as thyroid disease.

Treatment

The main treatment options for bipolar disorder are medication and psychotherapy. Often both types of treatment are needed, but in order to bring symptoms under control, it is usually medication that is needed first.

The main types of medication used to treat bipolar disorder are:

Like chronic disorders such as hypertension or diabetes, bipolar disorder can be managed and controlled by combining treatment with a healthy lifestyle. The goal in treating bipolar disorder is to help the person get well again. This includes:

treating symptoms until they no longer cause distress
improving work and social functioning
reducing risk of relapse.

Learn more about Bipolar Disorder read Julie’s Story.

Source: NAMI, CAMH

Watch this short video to learn more about bipolar disorder, what it is, and isn’t, and how it can be treated.

RESOURCES

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Sources: CAMH, NAMI, Stats Canada, International Bipolar Foundation