In honour of World Bipolar Day, this year’s theme is: Destigmatising bipolar mood disorder can save lives. Picture: Supplied
In honour of World Bipolar Day, this year’s theme is: Destigmatising bipolar mood disorder can save lives.
As it is important to critically address the stigma surrounding the condition and to ensure that patients suffering from bipolar, their family and friends can have a better understanding of the condition.
Most people suffering from this particular disorder tend to not open up due to the fear of being stigimatised.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), bipolar affects more than 45 million people around the globe.
However, with the appropriate treatment and support, many people with this condition live a full and productive life.
Bipolar is a disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.
It is categorised by both manic and depressive episodes or a combination of both which are mostly separated by periods of normal mood.
If a “high” or “low” episode is very intense, the person may experience psychosis, meaning the patient may have trouble differentiating between fantasy and reality.
“Bipolar mood disorder can be a very devastating health condition that does not only affect the patient but the patient’s loved ones, friends and caregivers who often have to carefully navigate the effects that both manic and depressive episodes have on the individual and their family,” says Dr Jorgen Kahler, a psychiatrist at Life Poortview.
ALSO READ: World Tuberculosis Day Theme: ‘Invest in Action to End TB NOW’
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
