Ever Heard of a Two One Person? well find out 👇

Hmm, the whimsical world of bipolar disorder! As I read through @merrymercy blog post, my reactions ranged from jaw-dropping amazement to moments of laughter and this happened even though I already knew one or two things about this disorder.

^{^{Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay}}

Alright read carefully 👇

Now, Imagine encountering someone who's a real-life Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, flipping from anger and frustration to uncontrollable laughter quicker than a cat chasing a laser pointer.
Merrymercy's description of bipolar disorder as a character transformation had me envisioning a sitcom where one actor plays both roles and forgets their lines halfway through.
It's like trying to watch a movie where the plot switches genres every five minutes, leaving you baffled and wondering if you missed a memo, but the problem is, you just didnt alright

I mean a situation where you wonder whether to bring popcorn or mood stabilizers 🤷?

Now, let's talk about the grand reveal: bipolar disorder! It was previously known as the "manic-depressive illness," which if you ask me sounds like the title of those gone are the days novels with a mental health plot revolving in the background

Bipolar disorder isn't just any disorder; it's a mental illness that plays the emotional keyboard like a jazz pianist on caffeine, yes, one moment, you're Beethoven's Moonlight..., and the next, you're a symphony of confusion. It's like a musical chair game, but with feelings!

Merrymercy introduces us to the bipolar disorder family tree, with three distinct branches:

Bipolar I disorder: This one's the showstopper, with episodes lasting at least 7 days, and it's almost a daily occurrence. The symptoms are so wild that you'd think the person was auditioning for a circus act. We're talking decreased need for sleep, increased restlessness, and a knack for risky behavior. It's like trying to juggle flaming swords while riding a unicycle on a tightrope. Oh, and hallucinations and disorganized thinking are invited to this chaotic party too!

On to the next 👇

Bipolar II disorder: This is like the sequel that's a tad less dramatic but still leaves you wondering if you're watching a soap opera. It's all about a continuous pattern of depressive episodes with hypomanic episodes sprinkled in. Think of it as the soap opera character who switches from a wedding gown to a tracksuit within an episode.

The final 👇

Cyclothymic disorder: It's the one with mini ups and downs, like a kiddie ride at an emotional amusement park. The symptoms aren't intense enough to qualify as a full-blown episode, but they're still like riding the emotional wagon.

Merrymercy paints a vivid picture of how bipolar disorder can turn your life into a sitcom with plot twists that even the writers didn't see coming.

Relationships? They become as unpredictable as the weather forecast in the middle of a hurricane.

Work or school? Let's just say it's like trying to study quantum physics on a rollercoaster.

Detecting bipolar disorder in children and teens? Well, that's like trying to decipher hieroglyphics (in case you wondering what hieroglyphics are, they are just secret symbolic writing, which are usually pretty old) written by a toddler with crayons. Sometimes it's hard to tell if they're just having a bad day or auditioning for an Oscar. But the red flag is a mood swing that's more dramatic than a soap opera villain's evil laugh.

Now this might sound terrible, but science has come with a shining light at the tunnel end, there's a way to manage and treat this wild emotional ride. With consistent treatment, the symptoms of bipolar disorder can improve, and it's not all about mood stabilizers.

Medication and therapy take center stage in this magical show. Medications known as mood stabilizers are prescribed to correct imbalanced brain signaling, like a wizard casting spells to bring order to the chaos. And it's a personal journey, like trying on different magic hats to find the one that fits just right.

Counseling and psychotherapy are like the mentors guiding the hero through the epic quest of managing bipolar disorder. They help identify triggers, like hidden treasure maps, and teach strategies to keep the emotional dragon at bay. And yes, they even get family members, colleagues, and teachers involved if need be.

In conclusion, bipolar disorders are like the surprise twist in every great story. They may not be as rare as we think, and catching the symptoms early is like discovering the hidden Easter eggs in a movie. So, let's approach this mental health situation with empathy, support, and a touch of humor, because in the end, we're all characters in our own unpredictable narratives!

Thanks for reading, Sayonara 🖐️

References

Credit

^{Image used as lead image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay}