World Bipolar Day

March 30 marks World Bipolar Day. On this day, we reflect on connection, outreach and advocacy. World Bipolar Day provides a moment to join together in solidarity around the goals of increasing awareness, acceptance and funding for this illness. All of these efforts are key to promoting excellence in clinical care and research. Bipolar Disorder affects nearly 6 million Americans, each in a distinctive way. The color green represents Bipolar Disorder.

The ribbon to raise awareness for Bipolar Disorder is green. This represents the episodes of depression and mania that can be part of Bipolar Disorder. A black and white striped ribbon may also represent Bipolar Disorder.

World Bipolar Day and the Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on our communities worldwide and on World Bipolar Day. During periods of stress and social isolation, it is even more important to maintain quality of life. It’s also important to attend to both basic needs (nutrition, sleep and health) and those that provide fulfillment (hobbies, social interaction, exercise and relaxation).

Bipolar Disorder and Its Impact

Bipolar Disorder has an impact that goes far beyond numbers. So, on World Bipolar Day, here are some aspects of Bipolar Disorder that are important to understand. That way, you can help combat social stigma:

• Bipolar Disorder affects every aspect of life: It may be difficult to fully comprehend the toll Bipolar Disorder takes on someone because it is an invisible illness. In addition, it can be crippling, which includes impacting relationships, working, and all aspects of everyday life. These include from sleeping to showering.
• Bipolar Disorder has many causes, from genetics to life events: After a study that spanned nearly two decades, a team from the University of Michigan found that there is no single genetic change, life event, or chemical brain imbalance that is the root cause of Bipolar Disorder. Many times, it is a combination of several biological and environmental factors that can trigger Bipolar Disorder.
• Bipolar Disorder rarely exists alone: Bipolar Disorder can also come with other physical and psychological conditions. These include metabolic disorders and migraines.
• Everyone’s Bipolar Disorder is different: Bipolar Disorder is like fingerprints and snowflakes. In other words, no two people have the exact same symptoms and each diagnosis can vary greatly. However, there are two main types of Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar I is characterized by one or more manic episodes that last at least a week and require hospitalization. The second is bipolar II, which is characterized by more depressive episodes.
• It is life-threatening, and support is vital: An estimated 1 in 5 people diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder dies by suicide. World Bipolar Day is an opportunity to show those living with the day-to-day challenges of this condition that they are not alone. Further, they have your support and there is always hope.

World Bipolar Day and Vincent Van Gogh

There may be a creativity connection: Did you know that World Bipolar Day occurs on Vincent van Gogh’s birthday? Van Gogh, considered one of the most influential artists of all time, was posthumously diagnosed as having Bipolar Disorder.

Living with Bipolar Disorder may not be easy, but as van Gogh himself once said: “The beginning is perhaps more difficult than anything else, but keep heart, it will turn out all right.”