Common Bipolar Myths: Misconceptions About Bipolar Disorder Debunked
- Kaitlyn Boudreault
- 1 day ago
- 10 min read
Have you ever heard someone say, “That person must be bipolar,” simply because they were happy one second and disappointed the next?
Perhaps you believe that bipolar disorder is just mood swings or that it only impacts adults.
If so, you’re not alone!
It’s common for people to believe these misconceptions because of the way the media portrays bipolar disorder.
In recent years, there has been an increase in research, awareness, and lived experience accounts that have improved society's understanding of this condition.
For example, we know that globally, approximately 0.5% of the population has bipolar disorder (WHO, 2021).
But unfortunately, despite this, many individuals experience these misconceptions, which are not only inaccurate but also contribute to the stigma surrounding people with mental illness.
Stigma and misinformation make it difficult for those with bipolar disorder to seek help, access neurodiversity-affirming therapy, or receive appropriate accommodations.
At Blue Sky Learning, our team of neurodivergent-affirming therapists and coaches is dedicated to challenging these myths and promoting understanding.
Read on to explore this edition of our neurodiversity-affirming blog, where we debunk 15 common myths about bipolar disorder.
Common Bipolar Myths Debunked
Although our understanding of bipolar disorder has increased in recent years, there is still work to be done to debunk the common misconceptions about this condition.
Let’s explore 15 widespread misconceptions about bipolar disorder below and challenge these by exploring the facts.
Myth: Bipolar Disorder Just Means Mood Swings
Many people see the term “bipolar” and assume that bipolar disorder simply means mood swings or shifts between two different mood states (depression and mania).
But, in reality, bipolar disorder goes beyond mood changes. It involves extreme shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and functioning that can last days, weeks, or months.
These episodes are not the same thing as emotions, where you feel happy one second and sad the next after hearing bad news.
Unlike typical mood swings, these episodes are distinct, disruptive, clinically significant, and part of a recurring pattern. They impact work, relationships, and daily life.
These mood and energy changes include:
Mania: Extreme highs that are characterized by euphoria or extreme happiness, a decreased need for sleep, risk-taking behaviours, elevated energy levels, and unusual irritability
Depression: Sadness or hopelessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities
Hypomania: A less extreme form of mania with less severe symptoms of mania
Individuals may shift between mania and depression or hypomania and depression, depending on the type of bipolar disorder they are dealing with.
Myth: People with Bipolar Disorder Are Always Either Happy or Sad
The myth that bipolar disorder can be simplified to emotions alone oversimplifies the complexity of bipolar disorder.
Individuals with bipolar disorder don’t merely switch between happiness and sadness with no in-between.
Mood episodes in bipolar disorder vary widely. Many individuals will experience a mixed state, where they may have symptoms of mania and depression occur concurrently.
For example, someone who is experiencing a mixed state may feel agitated, energetic, and restless while also feeling hopeless or experiencing low motivation.
These nuances are critical to recognize because they can help aid in the accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder and the support that those with bipolar disorder receive.
Myth: There Is Only One Type of Bipolar Disorder
Some people think of bipolar disorder as one single mental health condition that is the same across all individuals with bipolar disorder. But this isn’t true.
Bipolar disorder actually consists of several types with unique symptoms and patterns of depression and mania. The intensity and severity of the symptoms also differ.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), bipolar disorder consists of several different subtypes, including:
Bipolar I Disorder: You need to experience at least one manic episode. While this may often occur with depressive episodes, they are not required for a diagnosis.
Bipolar II Disorder: You need to experience at least one hypomanic episode and at least one depressive episode.
Cyclothymic Disorder: Often seen as a milder form of bipolar II. This involves chronic, fluctuating mood changes that include hypomanic and depressive symptoms. The severity or number of symptoms in these episodes does not meet the full criteria for mania or major depression to be diagnosed with bipolar I or II.
Substance/Medication-Induced Bipolar and Related Disorder: Mania, hypomania, or depressive mood changes triggered by drugs or medications.
Bipolar and Related Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition: Mania, hypomania, or depressive mood changes caused by a physical medical condition. This condition is only diagnosed if the symptoms arise after the onset of the underlying medical condition.
Other Specified Bipolar and Related Disorder (OSBD): Individuals experience clear bipolar symptoms, but they do not meet the criteria for bipolar type I, II, or cyclothymia due to a lack of severity or duration of symptoms. However, the symptoms can still cause distress and impairment.
Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorder (USBD): Symptoms that clearly indicate bipolar disorder but lack full criteria for a specific subtype. Clinicians do not document the specific reason for not meeting the criteria, as they often do with OSBD.
Understanding the diversity of bipolar disorder helps challenge stigma and encourages individuals to seek the appropriate diagnosis and treatment for their specific type.
Myth: Bipolar Disorder Is Mostly Mania
There is a commonly held misconception in society that bipolar disorder only involves mania or highs. This misconception ignores the depressive episodes that may occur.
While mania or hypomania is a clinically significant component of bipolar disorder involved in a diagnosis, depression is also important to document and consider, particularly in the context of a diagnosis of bipolar II or cyclothymia.
Some individuals also experience mixed episodes, where their symptoms of mania and hypomania occur concurrently with depressive symptoms.
For example, someone may feel unusually energized but also extremely low at the same time. If we only look at mania and minimize the depressive symptoms, misdiagnosis or lack of appropriate treatment could occur.
This means someone can feel both unusually energized and extremely low at the same time, which can be confusing, exhausting, and overwhelming. Recognizing that bipolar disorder is more than just mania is critical to understanding the full experience and supporting individuals effectively.
Myth: Mania Is Fun and Exciting
The media often portrays manic episodes as thrilling, fun, or productive. We see the individual staying up all night completing all their projects.
But these media portrayals of mania are often oversimplified.
While mania may cause one to feel energized initially, mania can be incredibly disruptive to an individual's day-to-day life and impact functioning.
Symptoms often include:
Irritability and restlessness
Impulsive or risky behaviours
Difficulty sleeping despite high energy
Impaired judgment
In some cases, individuals may experience psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, where they may see, hear, feel, taste, or smell things that are not real.
Due to these symptoms, the condition can be dangerous, as individuals may engage in risky behaviours that put their safety at risk.
Although some people may have a temporary surge in energy that can seem enjoyable, mania often causes negative consequences that impact work, relationships, academics, finances, or well-being.
Many people also experience fatigue, depersonalization, or feeling outside of their body, and regret their actions during an episode once the episode ends.
Effective treatment, including therapy, lifestyle strategies, and medication, can help reduce the severity of manic episodes and improve safety and stability.
Myth: Bipolar Disorder Is Easy to Diagnose
Some people may have heard of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and assume that bipolar disorder is as simple as a checklist.
While bipolar disorder is diagnosed using the DSM-5 criteria, diagnosing bipolar disorder is much more complex than a checklist alone.
Many individuals, especially women with bipolar disorder, present with more frequent episodes of depression than mania. This can lead individuals to be misdiagnosed as solely having major depressive disorder.
Misdiagnosis often causes a delay in effective treatment and a worsening of the manic symptoms.
Individuals may also have another diagnosis that is concurrent with bipolar disorder that could mask the symptoms of bipolar disorder. This can make understanding the differences between diagnoses important.
It is also important to understand how mania can be masked in certain populations and the gender differences to reduce delays and improve outcomes for those living with bipolar disorder.
Myth: Mania Increases Productivity
There are many misconceptions about mania within bipolar disorder, and this myth about productivity is one of them.
While some individuals may experience an increase in energy levels and motivation in the early stages of mania, it does not increase productivity in a way that is usually positive.
Instead, mania involves racing thoughts, impulsivity, sleep deprivation, and poor judgment that often cause harm to an individual's functioning. Individuals may also experience confusion and risky behaviours that make them unproductive.
Recognizing that mania is not a productivity booster helps reduce pressure on oneself and encourages safer strategies to manage energy during episodes.
Myth: People With Bipolar Disorder Can’t Live Healthy, Fulfilling Lives
A commonly held belief about mental illness is that those with mental illnesses can’t live healthy, fulfilling lives.
But while bipolar disorder can impair functioning, there is treatment that can help to improve quality of life.
When individuals with bipolar disorder receive the right combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle, they can lead successful and fulfilling lives.
Neurodiversity-affirming psychotherapy approaches may consist of cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, compassion-based therapy, or interpersonal therapy.
Medications often complement therapy to help stabilize an individual's mood, manage triggers, and improve and stabilize energy levels and daily functioning.
This underscores that bipolar disorder is manageable, and hope and recovery are achievable.
Myth: Bipolar Disorder Is Rare
When it comes to the prevalence of specific mental illnesses, many people assume that bipolar disorder is rare.
But bipolar disorder is a lot more common than people think.
These prevalence numbers are also likely underestimated, specifically because the underdiagnosis of bipolar disorder is common.
In particular, women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities may experience symptoms that are overlooked, misinterpreted, or mistaken for depression or personality disorders.
Understanding the true prevalence of bipolar disorder can help those experiencing this condition feel less alone.
Myth: Bipolar Disorder Is Caused by Personal Weakness or Poor Choices
One of the most common myths surrounding mental illness in general is that those with mental health conditions are weak or that they are choosing to be mentally ill.
In reality, mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder, are not a weakness, personal failure, or lack of willpower.
It instead arises from a complex interplay of genetics, brain structure and function, and environmental factors, which can include stress and trauma.
When we blame individuals for their symptoms, this can contribute to the stigma associated with mental health conditions.
This stigma may also prevent people from seeking help or receiving the accommodations they need to thrive.
Myth: People with Bipolar Disorder Are Unpredictable and Dangerous
Media and societal portrayals of bipolar disorder often make people believe that those with mental illness issues are more violent than those without mental health conditions.
For bipolar disorder, people may assume those with bipolar disorder are volatile, violent, or dangerous.
These media depictions show that symptoms such as impulsivity or irritability are sometimes seen as a prediction of violent behaviour.
These media accounts reinforce harmful myths that cause people to fear and misunderstand those with bipolar disorder.
However, the research shows that those with mental health conditions, including those with bipolar disorder, are not more violent than those without mental illness.
In fact, people with bipolar disorder are more likely to be the victims of violence and harm than those without bipolar disorder.
In particular, this harm and victimization are more likely when there is an increase in vulnerability, such as during a depressive or mixed episode.
Myth: Bipolar Disorder Only Affects Adults
Since bipolar disorder is typically diagnosed in late adolescence or early adulthood, people may assume that the condition can’t impact children.
In reality, the symptoms of bipolar disorder can impact anyone of any age, and they can appear in childhood or early adolescence.
The early signs of bipolar disorder in younger age groups are quite similar to adulthood and include mood swings, irritability, or changes in sleep and energy.
Recognizing these signs early allows for intervention, support, and strategies to improve long-term outcomes.
Myth: Medication Will Change Who You Are
Many individuals who experience bipolar disorder or their families believe that medication will alter the person taking it.
But although medications can come with some side effects, they are important for stabilizing mood without changing one’s identity.
For some, medications may require a trial-and-error period to find what medication or combination of medications works best.
This trial-and-error process isn’t about trying to change personality. It is a normal part of the treatment process.
When medications are managed properly, they allow individuals to live fully while reducing the intensity and frequency of mood episodes.
Myth: Bipolar Disorder Is the Same for Everyone
Many people assume that bipolar disorder is universal across those who experience it.
However, bipolar disorder is not a one-size-fits-all condition.
Individuals with bipolar disorder experience different types of bipolar disorder. Their symptom patterns and the frequency and intensity of mood symptoms also differ between people.
The level of functioning and impairment may also differ.
For example, some individuals with bipolar disorder, who experience significant episodes of mania, may require more significant support than someone with bipolar II disorder, who experiences less severe episodes of mania.
Even among people who both have bipolar I or bipolar II, the symptoms of bipolar disorder can vary widely.
One individual with bipolar II may experience long periods of stability between episodes, while someone else may have frequent mood shifts.
These differences may be explained by personal factors, such as environment, stress, support systems, access to treatment, and co-occurring conditions. They can influence how bipolar disorder shows up in someone’s life.
Understanding that bipolar disorder is not identical for everyone helps reduce stigma and reminds us that mental health experiences are diverse.
Just like many other conditions, bipolar disorder exists on a spectrum. Each person’s experience deserves individualized support and care.
Myth: Only Extreme Cases Count
Public perception or treatment of bipolar disorder often focuses on severe symptoms of mania or depression, namely, bipolar I disorder.
This often leads to a focus on crisis care over early intervention.
But even milder symptoms or episodes of mania or depression can disrupt an individual's daily life, relationships, and well-being.
Hypomania, sub-threshold depression, or mixed states may not be dramatic but still warrant support and treatment.
Early intervention and treatment can also prevent individuals from shifting into full-blown mania.
Treatment and Support
There is no single treatment that will work for every individual with bipolar disorder. Instead, support for bipolar disorder tends to be individualized and multimodal.
There is a combination of treatment options that can help those with bipolar disorder, including:
Medication: Mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and adjunctive medications.
Therapy: Cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, psychoeducation, and neurodivergent-affirming therapy.
Lifestyle strategies: Sleep regulation, exercise, balanced routines, mindfulness.
Social support: Peer groups, supportive workplaces, and community resources.
Book a Free Consultation With Blue Sky Learning
Are you experiencing the symptoms of bipolar disorder? Do you feel misunderstood?
Or do you believe the myths about bipolar disorder and want to be more supportive of a loved one with the condition?
At Blue Sky Learning, our team provides compassionate, person-centred, neurodivergent-affirming care.
Are you living with bipolar disorder or supporting someone who is?
Book a free 20-minute consultation with a Blue Sky Learning team member by emailing hello@blueskylearning.ca or following the link below.
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