World Bipolar Day: Stories of Strength and Resilience
I found it amusing to play around with my friends and call them bipolar when their moods would drastically change throughout the day. We would be laughing one minute and annoyed the next because we were hungry. “You’re so bi-polar! You were just in a good mood,” we would joke. It wasn’t until my sophomore year in undergrad that I started to take bipolar disorder seriously.
I had a friend who became like a brother to me. He would be full of energy for days and suddenly go into a deep state of isolation later. I never understood why, but his different mood swings affected our friendship. He would be thrilled to see and talk to me one day, and the next treat me as if I didn’t exist. It wasn’t until I addressed his temperamental behavior that he told me he had bipolar disorder. Having been diagnosed a couple of years before meeting me, he grappled with handling his mental illness and balancing his relationships.
Shining a Light on Bipolar Disorder
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, affects millions of people around the world. It is unusual shifts in mood, formerly ranging from manic highs to depressive lows. Someone experiencing this mental illness has a constant change in their thinking, sleep patterns, energy, and behavior. The unpredictability and intensity of these mood shifts can be overwhelming, impacting various facets of life, including relationships, work, and personal well-being. Several factors contribute to bipolar disorder. Genetics and brain chemistry are some of the main elements that cause the disorder. Other components include stressful life events, medications, drugs, and alcohol. My friend shared many stories about his life as a child with me. Through therapy and doctor visits, he concluded that the main contributing factor to his disorder was the trauma he experienced as a child. It was to my surprise that childhood trauma, too, partakes in someone being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Life with Bipolar Disorder
There were days when my friend and I would pull all-nighters. We would stay up until 3 in the morning to do homework and write essays we had procrastinated on throughout the week. I would finally crash out, and he would still be up for hours, showing no signs of tiredness. Even after not sleeping for days, he had so much energy. Those were also the times when we had the most fun together. He would be overly excited about the most minor things and was always in the mood to do something spontaneous, like walking to Baskin and Robbins to get ice cream at 1 in the morning in 12-degree weather.
I learned later that those were his manic episode days. But then there were days when I felt so distant and separated from him. He would be exasperated and sad and didn’t want to leave his room. Those were his depressive days, and they were the toughest to deal with. Signs and symptoms of someone with bipolar disorder can be divided into two different categories. Manic and depressive. A manic episode is where the individual may be productive and excited and have intense feelings of euphoria.
In contrast, depressive episodes are the opposite. The individual may feel sad, down, or worried. And they lack energy and interest in anything.
Bipolar I vs Bipolar II
Bipolar I was what my friend was diagnosed with. But there were also two other forms that I remember him explaining to me. He had dealt with a few manic episodes that led to hypomanic or major depressive occurrences, which categorized him as having Bipolar I. Bipolar II is similar to Bipolar I, but the individual never reaches a manic episode and can be severely depressed for an extended amount of time. My friend also taught me about cyclothymic disorder, which is also a mood disorder that is less extreme than bipolar disorder and involves frequent mood swings of hypomanic and depressive episodes. Through his teachings and my personal experiences with him, I began to have a better understanding of bipolar disorder, and my empathy for the mental illness grew.
The Role of Faith in Dealing With Bipolar Disorder
Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
This scripture encourages the Christian community to assist those in their times of struggle and need. We must not stigmatize bipolar disorder but instead extend unconditional love, compassion, and grace to our brothers and sisters who battle with this mental challenge. Many nights, my friend went through meltdowns. He would call me, and we would meditate, listen to music, and talk to God. In the times we would pray, I could sense the presence of God wavering over us. He would be at peace for weeks after we spent hours expressing our feelings and being vulnerable with God.
Faith as a Means of Healing
For individuals navigating the intense waters of bipolar disorder, faith can serve as a balancing force. The Christian belief in an affectionate and sympathetic God provides a foundation of hope, even at your lowest moments. Creating a prayer routine and participating in fellowship with a supportive faith community can provide comfort and relief during times of adversary.
Psalms 34:18 reminds believers, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
This verse signifies God’s understanding of the pain and heartache that people with bipolar disorder deal with. It lets us know he is acquainted with the pain and ready to offer comfort.
The Duality of Mania and Depression
Because Bipolar disorder’s hallmark feature is the oscillation between manic and depressive episodes, the diagnosed may have a difficult time managing their spiritual journey. Manic highs are likened to spiritual hunger and exuberance moments, where individuals feel an intense connection with God. My friend dealt with many depressive lows, many of which were when he experienced spiritual dryness and despair. He would act out and have moments of extreme irritability that crushed my spirits. We both found it beneficial for him to channel his energy into constructive and positive outlets. I encouraged him to get involved in community service events where he could release some of his excitement. Other times, we spent days attending church events that deepened our relationship with Christ. It’s essential to anchor these moments in God’s truth and avoid impulsive decisions that may lead to negative consequences or hurt someone you’re close to.
The Christian Community Involvement In World Bipolar Day
March 30th is reserved for World Bipolar Day. The day came after the death of renowned artist Vincent Van Gough, who had bipolar disorder. The Asian Network of Bipolar Disorder, the International Bipolar Foundation, and The International Society for Bipolar Disorders organizations fought hard for this day to promote awareness and understanding of bipolar disorder. World Bipolar Day raises awareness about mental illness, eliminates stigmas about what bipolar disorder is and isn’t, and brings forth a platform for advocacy and activism.
The Christian community plays a crucial role in supporting individuals with bipolar disorder, especially on March 30. Fellowship and genuine support for each other are emphasized throughout the bible. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Call to Action
On March 30, World Bipolar Day, the Christian Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) encourages everyone to create an environment of understanding and acceptance within the faith to help combat the stigmas often associated with bipolar disorder and other mental health issues. Fabricating prayer circles, endorsing small talk groups, and fostering pastoral relationships with those in need can help break down the barriers that prevent those with bipolar disorder from seeking help. These helpful gestures can also become pillars of strength for those facing the challenges of bipolar disorder, promoting a sense of belonging and encouragement.
We must not stigmatize bipolar disorder but instead extend unconditional love, compassion, and grace to our brothers and sisters who battle with this mental challenge.
Overcoming Stigma Through Education
To help destigmatize bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses, it is essential to equip yourself with the knowledge and history that follows. For those of us who have a limited understanding of what bipolar disorder is, CMHI offers mental health resources such as SAMHSA, which is a national website for information on mental health. The website also provides other resourceful sites, such as helpguide.org, to empower people with information to help with their mental health, and the Stephen Ministry, a faith-based national suicide and crisis lifeline for anyone you know who may be dealing with a crisis or the feeling of wanting to commit suicide due to the effects from their bipolar disorder.
Concluding Reflections on World Bipolar Day
In honor of World Bipolar Day and amid bipolar disorder’s challenges, the Christian community can help themselves and others find hope in the unwavering love and grace of Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Bipolar disorder, with its fluctuating highs and lows, poses unique challenges for those affected by it. Individuals can find solace in the teachings of compassion, understanding, and support found throughout the bible. By intertwining faith with practical measures, such as therapy, prayer, meditation, and medication, the Christian community can aid in better controlling and navigating bipolar disorder with resilience and hope.
The journey may be challenging, but with God’s grace and the support of a caring community, those affected can find the strength to face each day with courage and faith.
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