Having bipolar disorder comes with experiencing extreme mood swings and emotional highs and lows...
Having bipolar disorder comes with experiencing extreme mood swings and emotional highs and lows.These symptoms may feel like a punishment from a higher being for people who are ignorant or misinformed about the disorder.Although this is false, it may be challenging to convince anyone that having bipolar disorder isn't a punishment.There is no exact cause of bipolar disorder, but knowing the several causative factors may help educate people around you about this condition.For one, bipolar disorder may be caused by a person's genetics.Having blood relations with a parent or family member with bipolar disorder can increase a person's chances of exhibiting symptoms of the disorder.Also, bipolar disorder may be caused by an imbalance in the chemical properties of the human brain.Understanding that bipolar disorder can happen due to such imbalance makes it easier to help provide support for bipolar disorder.In addition, traumatizing events in a person's life may also cause episodes of bipolar disorder.Any event that causes mental or emotional stress to a bipolar person can influence their mood swings and emotional stability.Read on to gain deeper insights into facts that prove that bipolar disorder isn't a punishment.
One way to explain that bipolar disorder isn't a punishment is by letting people know it can be caused by genetics.Giving people a detailed explanation of how genetics can cause bipolar disorder can help dispel the notion that it is a punishment.Sharing the same gene with a parent or family member with bipolar disorder puts a person at risk of developing the same medical condition.However, sharing the gene does not outrightly mean a person has bipolar disorder; it only increases the probability of the occurrence of the disorder in such a person.
Educating and enlightening people on how genetics and heredity can cause the disorder may help people to stop seeing the medical condition as a punishment.It can also reduce the ignorance people have, therefore eliminating stigmatization.
Although genetic factors account for approximately 60 to 80 percent of the cause of the disorder, it does not mean that genetics is the only factor contributing to bipolar disorder.
It is only one of the many causative factors.
Another way to explain that bipolar disorder isn't a punishment is by helping people understand how the disorder may be caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain responsible for the proper functioning of the human brain.Chemicals such as noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine regulate mood disorders and depression in any person.Experts believe bipolar disorder is caused partly by a problem with specific brain circuits and the function of brain chemicals, also known as neurotransmitters.Therefore, any irregularity and imbalance of these chemicals can trigger a mental condition and cause illogical thought patterns and behavior.Also, unlike people living without bipolar disorder, people who already have the disorder react irrationally and excessively to any slight change in the physical and chemical properties of the brain.Such behavior may be strange to people who don't have or understand the disorder.In essence, just like any effect of improper functioning of a body part, bipolar disorder may occur because of an imbalance of the brain's chemicals and not because a person is facing punishment for their actions.
Explaining that traumatizing events in a person's life can influence the occurrence of bipolar disorder is another way to let people understand that bipolar disorder isn't a punishment.These events may cause a person to have severe depression and experience extreme mood swings.With women living with bipolar disorder, life events like pregnancy and childbirth may increase the occurrence of bipolar episodes.The risk of extreme mood swings and postpartum depression in bipolar women increases during pregnancy.Also, the emotional stress and grief that comes with a significant event, like losing a loved one, may trigger episodes of bipolar disorder.Since people with the disorder are more sensitive to stressors, they may exhibit erratic behaviors at intervals during grief.Furthermore, people living with bipolar disorder process emotional abuse and stress differently.
Due to traumatizing events, people with bipolar disorder may also experience post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), thus worsening their condition.
Another way to explain that bipolar disorder isn't a punishment is by helping people understand that certain lifestyle choices may trigger symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Poor lifestyle choices may determine the frequency of bipolar episodes.
For instance, excessive drug and alcohol use may increase the likelihood of developing bipolar disorder.
Substance abuse and alcoholism can worsen mood swings and cause other mental issues like paranoia and anxiety.
Also, the brain requires enough rest and sleep.
A poor sleeping pattern or lack of the required amount of sleep may cause emotional and mental fatigue triggering bipolar episodes.
Furthermore, stress plays a major role in initiating bipolar symptoms.
Dealing with stressors such as experiencing trauma, grief, starting a new job, pressure from work, being bullied or harassed, or worrying about finances may increase vulnerability to bipolar episodes.
One other way to explain that bipolar disorder isn't a punishment is by helping people understand that certain prescribed medications may trigger episodes of bipolar disorder.Some drugs may alter the brain chemistry and induce symptoms of bipolar disorder, especially extreme mood swings.For instance, medications for physical and psychiatric conditions may cause manic episodes as a side effect of taking such drugs or withdrawing from them.This may occur because the brain attempts to familiarize itself with the medication or adapt to its withdrawal.Also, using certain antidepressants like Prozac and Zoloft may increase the risk of having the disorder or awaken the suppressed gene of bipolar disorder in a person.Stimulants that are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) may also trigger a manic episode in people living with bipolar disorder.Although medications can help improve mental health conditions, they should be used only after consulting a healthcare professional for the right prescription and dosage.
It is essential to understand that while explaining bipolar disorder to other people, the aim is to educate them and not shame them for their ignorance.
You should help them understand why the disorder is not a punishment and why they need to provide support for bipolar disorder.
You can explain that bipolar disorder isn't a punishment by letting people understand that the disorder can be caused by genetics, chemical imbalance in the brain, traumatizing events that happen to a person, a person's lifestyle choices, and side effects of prescribed medication.
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/bipolar-disorder/causes/
https://www.everydayhealth.com/bipolar-disorder/triggers-that-cause-bipolar-episode/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37010#causes
https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-causes
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.
