At some time or another you may have heard people say, that person is crazy. He / she is bipolar. So, we’ve learned to associate “crazy” with bipolar disorder. So many people use this term out of context.

I’d like to share with you what bipolar disorder is and what it isn’t. It IS a mood disorder marked for alternating periods of extreme happiness and depression. It is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. It can affect energy level, judgment, memory, concentration, appetite, sleep patterns, sex drive, and self-esteem.It can be treated with medication and healthy lifestyle choices.

Here’s what it IS NOT. Having bipolar disorder does not mean a person has split personalities. It does not mean they are crazy or violent. It does not mean someone had inadequate parenting. People with bipolar disorder CAN get better. Most people think they can’t. Having bipolar disorder does not mean someone is unfaithful or untrustworthy. Most importantly, bipolar disorder is not rare! It affects 5.7 million Americans each year, which is about 2.6% of the population. 

Another thing that most people don’t know about people with bipolar disorder is that they are some of the most sensitive, creative people in the world. In fact, scientists are starting to believe that bipolar disorder was a gateway to human evolution. Watch the video about that HERE.