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Let's talk about Bipolar Disorder - A thread
TW Suicide statistics.
You've heard the word but most absolutely do not know what bipolar actually is. So here is your twitter 101 of what it is and why the misinformation and assumptions regarding it are harmful and dangerous. (1)
TW Suicide statistics.
You've heard the word but most absolutely do not know what bipolar actually is. So here is your twitter 101 of what it is and why the misinformation and assumptions regarding it are harmful and dangerous. (1)
(2)
The basics!
Bipolar is NOT
Schizophrenia
Dissociative identity disorder
Borderline
Manic depression (Old name. Do not use)
Bipolar IS
A mental illness that is 70-90% genetical and give the individual periods of depression and mania, each lasting either days or weeks.
The basics!
Bipolar is NOT
Schizophrenia
Dissociative identity disorder
Borderline
Manic depression (Old name. Do not use)
Bipolar IS
A mental illness that is 70-90% genetical and give the individual periods of depression and mania, each lasting either days or weeks.
(3)
What does this mean and what are the symptoms?
Let's start with:
Depression: These are often very deep and symptoms are often the same as other depressions diagnoses. Remember, saying " just think positive" does not help, no matter the diagnosis.
What does this mean and what are the symptoms?
Let's start with:
Depression: These are often very deep and symptoms are often the same as other depressions diagnoses. Remember, saying " just think positive" does not help, no matter the diagnosis.
(4)
Now to the part people get incredibly wrong, manias.
You know when you feel like you got tons of energy? When you're having a great day? That you feel on top of the world? Yeh, it's that x10.
Now to the part people get incredibly wrong, manias.
You know when you feel like you got tons of energy? When you're having a great day? That you feel on top of the world? Yeh, it's that x10.
(5)
Manias are periods of, for example, elevated mood, feeling fantastic about various things such as your life or your body, hyperfocus, alot of energy and careless economic and sexual behaviour.
Manias are periods of, for example, elevated mood, feeling fantastic about various things such as your life or your body, hyperfocus, alot of energy and careless economic and sexual behaviour.
(6)
In short this means that even though humans have ups and downs, bipolar makes these even stronger and periodical. The positives gets higher and the lows lower. Bipolar is also different from case to case and look different even if one shares symptoms.
In short this means that even though humans have ups and downs, bipolar makes these even stronger and periodical. The positives gets higher and the lows lower. Bipolar is also different from case to case and look different even if one shares symptoms.
(7)
Some take medication, which is also different from case to case, and some do not. The medication is different type of mood stabilizers which aims to even out the highs and the lows.
Some take medication, which is also different from case to case, and some do not. The medication is different type of mood stabilizers which aims to even out the highs and the lows.
(8)
So how is bipolar betrayed? In one word: atrociously.
Different media paints Bipolar individuals as irresponsible villians who are scheming and crazy and this view is why, in some parts of the world, we are still being locked up and forced with electro therapy.
So how is bipolar betrayed? In one word: atrociously.
Different media paints Bipolar individuals as irresponsible villians who are scheming and crazy and this view is why, in some parts of the world, we are still being locked up and forced with electro therapy.
(9)
These lies about the symptoms, the assumptions about what bipolar is a contributor to why the suicide rate is 10-30 times higher than for a general individual. To put this in actual numbers: 20-60% attempt suicide atleast once and 4-19% commit suicide world wide.
These lies about the symptoms, the assumptions about what bipolar is a contributor to why the suicide rate is 10-30 times higher than for a general individual. To put this in actual numbers: 20-60% attempt suicide atleast once and 4-19% commit suicide world wide.
(10)
So what can you do?
First of all, bipolar does not change who we are as people. Secondly saying "just don't do __" or "I wish I had that much energy!" does not help. It is litteraly in our bodies, we can not just stop doing it and those manias? They are very exhausting.
So what can you do?
First of all, bipolar does not change who we are as people. Secondly saying "just don't do __" or "I wish I had that much energy!" does not help. It is litteraly in our bodies, we can not just stop doing it and those manias? They are very exhausting.
(11)
Instead maybe offer to help keep track of symptoms and the periods, maybe give a reminder to eat or drink but most of all, treat us like humans.
(Next is the last one, you're almost there!)
Instead maybe offer to help keep track of symptoms and the periods, maybe give a reminder to eat or drink but most of all, treat us like humans.
(Next is the last one, you're almost there!)
(12 last)
My ride may be a wild Rollercoaster with tons of twists and turns but I am not a villain. It is time for society to stop assuming and spreading lies. It is time to take some time and learn and I hope that this thread only is the start.
Long read, you did it!
My ride may be a wild Rollercoaster with tons of twists and turns but I am not a villain. It is time for society to stop assuming and spreading lies. It is time to take some time and learn and I hope that this thread only is the start.
Long read, you did it!
