Two Sides of a Bad Coin - Bipolar

If you or someone you know has dealt with bipolar disorder, you'll relate to this story. It is a horrible condition that affects an estimated 1 in 200 (or 37 million) people. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.

I have indirectly lived with bipolar disorder for the last five or six years. I have played the role of a primary caregiver for someone near and dear to me. I have seen it all, the highs and the lows.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 332 million people worldwide have depression. This affects approximately 4% of the world's population.

In Australia, around 3.2 million adults, which is 16.0% of the population, have had a depressive episode at some point. Sadly, new data show it's increasing, especially among young people. The resources for handling mental illnesses are not enough. This only makes the problem worse.

From high to low

Bipolar is more than just depression. It's a serious mental health condition. It involves big mood swings and can include psychotic episodes.

When a bipolar person is hyper (almost) or manic, they tend to be euphoric. They think they can handle anything. However, they often deal with delusions, hallucinations, and big personality changes.

Some individuals have no symptoms for years between manic episodes. For others, it is more of a continuous cycle of mania and depression, leaving them with an unbearable life. Friends may distance themselves from manic individuals. Families often find it hard to cope with their big mood swings. They become someone else.

It is often the case that bipolar individuals have no recollection of what they have done or said in a manic state. Some have gone as far as being extremely violent. Others spend large amounts of money they do not have in the belief that they will be able to make it up and more.

In my case, I’ve spent countless hours sharing what happened in different episodes. It is bittersweet. The person wants to know. But when they learn what happened, they feel traumatized by the events.

Stabilizing mania often requires a change in medication. In some cases, it may need extreme treatments like Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). I believe this is a cruel practice. It uses electric shocks on the brain to try to restore normal rhythm and function.

Bipolar disorder also includes a long period of depression after a manic episode.

• Persistent sadness.

• Loss of interest in activities.

• Low energy and fatigue.

• Changes in sleep or appetite.

• Difficulty concentrating.

• Feelings of worthlessness.

• Suicidal thoughts.

Guilt often follows the realization of what happened during the manic episode.

While it is horrible for the individual, the role of a carer is a rollercoaster ride. They have to deal with the main episode and then afterward, and then cope with the state of depression. Caring for someone can feel like talking to a brick wall. It’s tough to find sense in a situation that seems senseless.

You also have your own emotions to deal with, all the while trying to keep up a passive front. Many a night I have spent crying out of sheer frustration and despair.

I liken it to a person being in a big black hole—no way to escape. There is a ladder, but the person does not see it; they are incapable of the most mundane actions.

It's like their brains are on vacation after the tiring manic attack.

At some point, if you are lucky, there is a small glimmer of change. You seize it with all your might, hoping that it will be the change that allows the person to see the ladder. That allows them to start climbing, no sprinting at a time, towards the light at the end of the hole.

Causes and Treatments

There is no single definitive cause. Genetics is important. Research shows it may play a part in about 80% of cases. Accurate diagnosis by a professional is necessary.

Other contributing factors may include brain chemicals, environmental factors, and stress. In my situation, I learned to read the signs. Hypermania can begin due to lack of sleep or sleep deprivation. It’s often tied to a stressful life event. You can see the person falling, but you are powerless to change the path. The euphoria feeds the sleep deprivation, and the cycle begins.

It is then a matter of riding the storm. People with bipolar disorder often deal with stigma and struggle to get care. This shows the need for more awareness and support. We often label people with mental illness. We blame their medical issues on their instability.

A checkered future

Bipolar disorder is a challenging condition. For those affected, it lasts a lifetime and is chronic. Yes, it can be managed well with medication, therapy, and support, assuming it is available.

Many sufferers lack the support they need. In Australia, long-term professional help falls short of what is required. A professional can help with recovery from a manic attack. However, the patient is then often left to manage on their own. In these situations, relapse is inevitable.

In a first-world country, we should do better. Patients shouldn’t wait more than six months for psychiatric care or counseling.

My plea is if you find yourself in a situation of having to care for someone with bipolar, stay close to them. It is a dark world they live in. Always facing the chance of recurrence, they live with a stigma. This label can weigh so heavily that some might even give up on life.

Your help and love could really change things for them. With it, they might keep a semi-normal life. Without it, they could face a life in and out of psychiatric facilities.

Till next time,

Calvin

Copyright © September19_2025 by Calvin London