On March 30th, 1853, Vincent Van Gogh, one of the most revered painters to have lived, was born. His work and aesthetic signature is familiar across the world, being continuously celebrated and examined by critics, as well as recently being presented virtually in the wildly successful Immersive Experience exhibition. 

Van Gogh’s legacy, however, is not confined entirely to his art. The troubles he experienced in life, those that came from mental disorders, are also well-known, being a contributing factor to his suicide in 1890, which sadly occurred before his work received the recognition it deserved. His mental ill-health, however, is now being used as a way to stimulate discussion around the support and awareness these issues require. Hence, March 30th, has been championed by Rethink as World Bipolar Day.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that causes significant and sometimes long-last changes in mood. These “swings” were previously referred to as manic depression and often present themselves as extreme highs and extreme lows in an individual’s mental state. Both states, mania and depression, can last for long periods of time, such as several weeks.

During periods of mania, individuals can feel overwhelmingly happy, eager to seek out new projects and sensations, while also being fuelled by strong energy and drive. This can lead to a number of changes, such as talking quickly or spending excessive amounts of money, even cutting out food and sleep for other pursuits.

These phases of elation, however, are countered with depression. In this state, individuals can be anchored by feelings of worthlessness, low energy, and contemplations of suicide. Due to the nature of these symptoms, bipolar disorder can often be diagnosed as depression, as individuals can seek or receive support without taking periods of mania into account.

The cause of bipolar disorder remains uncertain, though many believe it is a combination of environmental circumstances and genetics.

Understanding Its Impact

Bipolar disorder is not uncommon. In fact, it is estimated that 1 in 50 individuals in the UK have bipolar, making it one of the most ubiquitous health disorders, affecting nearly as many individuals as cancer. Despite this ubiquity, it remains dramatically underdiagnosed and can take an average of nine years before an individual is correctly diagnosed. For a mental disorder that sees individuals twenty times more likely to commit suicide, it is paramount that we deliver the mental health support needed by those affected by bipolar disorder.

One of the biggest challenges that stands in the way of essential support is the ongoing stigma of bipolar disorder. While mental health disorders generally remain under a certain degree of misinformation and stigma, bipolar disorder continues to be perceived (and dismissed) as a non-issue. It is not uncommon, for example, for individuals to hear that their disorder is something that everyone has a little bit of.

What Can We Do Differently?

For progress to be made, we must understand the gravity of bipolar disorder and give its symptoms the validation they require. By recognising the extreme highs and lows that individuals experience, as well as the potentially harmful behaviour associated with bipolar disorder, as deserving of support, we can begin better recognising a widespread mental disorder and delivering the healthcare and support people need.

It can be difficult to recognise symptoms, not only because their characteristics lead to significant misdiagnosis but also because individuals can be affected very differently, with symptoms even presenting themselves alongside other mental disorders, which is why we must become better aware of mental health and its dynamics, dismantling stigmas that surround disorders and extending the support individuals and communities need.

Bristol Counselling and Psychotherapy

If you’d like to talk to someone about your mental health, or want to seek mental health support in Bristol, please reach out to a member of our team by emailing hello@bristolcounsellingandpsychotherapy.co.uk or by calling us directly on 07751 271709.