Mental health awareness has grown significantly in recent years, yet many disorders, including bipolar disorder, continue to carry a heavy stigma. This stigma often prevents people from seeking help, sharing their experiences, or even acknowledging their pain.
Here at Awakenings Treatment Center, we aim to educate clients, their families, and our greater community about mental health disorders in an attempt to reduce stigma. It’s estimated that 40 million people around the world have bipolar disorder, so this certainly isn’t a rare condition. Understanding, support, and compassion can go a long way in helping individuals get the help they need to live a full and productive life.
Let’s explore the roots of the stigma toward bipolar disorder and its consequences, and why it’s essential to change these harmful perceptions.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that involves extreme mood swings. Sometimes, a person might feel manic (high energy), and other times, they might feel depressed (low energy). These fluctuations in mood can be intense, unpredictable, and disruptive to daily life. And, understandably, it can make things difficult for the people around them, which is where some of the stigma comes from. However, without treatment, people have a difficult time controlling their mood swings.
Common signs of bipolar disorder are:
- Manic episodes that include lots of energy, a happy or excited mood, racing thoughts, an inflated sense of self-esteem, and risky behaviors.
- Depressive episodes that involve a low mood, sadness or hopelessness, loneliness, little energy, trouble sleeping, and trouble concentrating.
- Mixed episodes, which is a period of time when both manic and depressive symptoms are present.
The Origins of Stigma Against Bipolar Disorder
Lack of Understanding
Bipolar disorder is complex, and many people struggle to understand its symptoms and how they affect individuals. Terms like “manic” and “bipolar” are also often used in casual language to describe moodiness, trivializing the disorder and perpetuating false assumptions. Furthermore, the media tends to portray people with bipolar disorder as being dangerous, unstable, or overly dramatic, reinforcing stereotypes.
Historical Misconceptions
Historically, mental health conditions were misunderstood and even feared by others. Before modern psychiatry, people with conditions like bipolar disorder were often institutionalized or ostracized. Unfortunately, some of these beliefs have trickled down to generations today. Some people still see mental health challenges as a moral failing or weakness of character. All this does is place blame on the individual, further isolating them and discouraging them from seeking help.
Association With “Weakness”
Many cultures still view mental health struggles as a sign of weakness rather than legitimate medical conditions. Part of what makes this so challenging is that you can’t “see” or measure mental health disorders in the same tangible way as you can with physical disorders. This invisibility can make it harder for people to empathize or accept the condition as a legitimate health issue. Sadly, people with bipolar disorder are then discouraged from opening up about their struggles.
What Impact Does Stigma Have on People with Bipolar Disorder?
When people with bipolar disorder don’t get the support they need, it can lead to a wide range of problems such as:
- Delayed diagnosis and treatment (which means more suffering)
- Isolation and loneliness
- Fear of judgment or discrimination
- Internalized stigma, including feelings of guilt, shame, and reduced self-esteem
- Workplace discrimination, further marginalizing individuals
Breaking the Stigma—It Can Be Done!
Fortunately, there are ways that we can work together to break the stigma. First is by providing education and awareness about what bipolar disorder truly is. There are many ways to do this, including launching community programs, social media campaigns, and mental health education in schools and workplaces.
Second, it helps if there are public figures and advocates who can openly share their experiences with others. This can help normalize the disorder and show people that it’s possible to live healthily with the disorder. Sharing stories of recovery is also important, as this shows that bipolar disorder can be successfully managed—it does not have to be a lifelong sentence.
Lastly, language matters. Avoid using terms like “bipolar” and “manic” in casual conversations to describe someone who is experiencing normal emotions. Language shapes perceptions, and being mindful of the language you use can help reduce stigma. By playing a role in this, you can make a difference for someone who may be unsure about reaching out for help.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment in Agoura Hills, CA
The stigma surrounding bipolar disorder is rooted in misunderstanding, fear, and historical prejudice. However, with continued education, open conversations, and advocacy, these misconceptions can be dismantled. To learn more about receiving specialized treatment for bipolar disorder, contact Awakenings Treatment Center at 844-581-2788. We treat all types of bipolar disorders using a combination of therapy and medication.
