Bipolar Disorder Myths: It’s Not Just “Mood Swings”
We have all heard it.
- “Oh, the weather in Bangalore is so bipolar today.”
- “My boss is totally bipolar; one minute he is happy, the next he is shouting.”
- “My ex was crazy, she was definitely bipolar.”
In casual conversation, we use “Bipolar” to mean “moody” or “unpredictable.” But for the 1 in 100 Indians who actually live with this condition, these jokes are not just annoying—they are erasing.
Bipolar Disorder is not about being happy in the morning and sad in the afternoon. It is a severe, biological brain condition that takes you on a roller coaster ride lasting weeks or months, often threatening your job, your relationships, and your life.
Let’s separate the internet myths from the clinical facts.
Myth #1: “Bipolar just means you have mood swings.”
The Fact: It is about Cycles, not Moments.
Everyone has mood swings. If you spill coffee on your shirt, you get angry. If you get a promotion, you get happy. That is being human.
In Bipolar Disorder, the mood shifts are extreme and last for long periods.
- The Highs (Mania/Hypomania): You might feel euphoric or invincible for weeks at a time.
- The Lows (Depression): You might crash into a deep, dark pit for months.
It’s not a flicker; it’s a season. You don’t snap out of it just because something good or bad happens.
Myth #2: “Mania means you are super happy and productive.”
The Fact: Mania can be destructive and terrifying.
People think Mania looks like the guy in the movie who stays up all night writing a masterpiece. Sometimes, yes, it feels like “superpower” energy. But often, in the Indian context, Mania looks like:
- Reckless Spending: Buying 3 cars you can’t afford or gambling away the family savings.
- Extreme Irritability: Screaming at family members for breathing too loudly.
- Risky Behavior: Driving at 140 km/h, substance abuse, or hypersexuality (sleeping with strangers).
- Grandiosity: Believing you are a god or have special powers.
Mania is not “fun.” It is a medical emergency that often lands people in the hospital.
Myth #3: “There is only one type of Bipolar.”
The Fact: It is a Spectrum.
Not everyone has the full-blown movie version.
- Bipolar I: Defined by full Manic Episodes (very severe highs) that usually require hospitalization, followed by depression.
- Bipolar II: Defined by Hypomania (a milder high—you are energetic and productive but not out of control) and severe, crushing Depression. This is often harder to diagnose because people think the hypomania is just their “normal” self.
- Cyclothymia: A milder, chronic version with constant up-and-down shifts.
Myth #4: “You can cure it with yoga and positive thinking.”
The Fact: It is a biological condition requiring medication.
You cannot yoga your way out of Bipolar Disorder, just like you cannot meditate away Diabetes. This condition is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Mood Stabilizers (like Lithium) are the gold standard treatment. They act like “guardrails” on the highway, preventing your brain from swerving off into Mania or Depression.
Therapy helps you manage the lifestyle (sleep, stress), but medication manages the biology.
Myth #5: “If you are Bipolar, you can’t live a normal life.”
The Fact: You absolutely can.
This is the most dangerous myth. With the right combination of medication and therapy, people with Bipolar Disorder are doctors, lawyers, artists, and parents. They run companies. They have happy marriages. The condition is lifelong, yes. But it is manageable.
Do You Need a Check-Up?
If you feel your moods are controlling you rather than you controlling them, it is time to check.
- Screen Yourself (PsychKit): Are these normal ups and downs or something more? Take the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ). It is a standard screening tool. Take the Bipolar Screening Test
- Find the Right Team (IndianPsychologists): Treating Bipolar requires a duo: A Psychiatrist for medication and a Clinical Psychologist for therapy (to track triggers and sleep). Find verified experts here. Find a Bipolar Specialist
- Track Your Moods (VentOut): One of the best ways to manage Bipolar is to track your daily mood. Use our listeners to check in daily. “I feel a bit too energetic today” is a great thing to catch early. Daily Check-in on VentOut
Final Thought
Bipolar Disorder is not a personality flaw. It is just a brain that feels too much. If you have it, you are not “crazy.” You are just riding a dragon. And with the right tools, you can learn to tame that dragon and fly.
📚 References & Further Reading
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) – Bipolar Disorder.
- Jamison, Kay Redfield – An Unquiet Mind (A memoir of Moods and Madness).
- Indian Journal of Psychiatry – Treatment guidelines for Bipolar Disorder.
Author: JOYSON JOY P' MPhil (Cli. Psy.) Clinical Psychologist
Joyson Joy P is a Clinical Psychologist (RCI Licensed) and the Chief Mentor advisor of the Indian Psychologists Directory & Magazine. With a deep focus on Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Personality disorders, and Adult ADHD, he bridges the gap between complex psychological science and the Indian cultural context. His mission is to make evidence-based mental healthcare accessible, de-stigmatized, and easy to navigate for every Indian.
