10 Bipolar Depression Myths

What is bipolar depression? What does it feel like to be manic and hypomanic? What does it feel like to be depressed? We discuss what everyone needs to know about bipolar disorder.
Watch part 2 of this conversation - how to cope with bipolar disorder: • 11 ways to cope with b... .
Thanks to Tristan J. Miller for helping me with this episode. Check out his awesome stuff:
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Stand up comedy ► • Tristan Miller @ the T...
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Podcasts ► www.tristanjmiller.com/podcaster
Website ► www.tristanjmiller.com/
10 Bipolar Depression Myths:
1. Bipolar means you're angry.
2. Bipolar disorder explains your emotions.
3. People with bipolar depression are abusive & manipulative.
4. Bipolar disorder is your fault.
5. Everyone with bipolar depression should be on medication.
6. People with bipolar depression are dangerous.
7. People with bipolar depression are just depressed.
8. Mania feels good.
9. Hypomania is sustainable.
10. Bipolar disorder is the catalyst for creativity.
Topics Discussed:
* Bipolar disorder
* Manic depression
* Myths about bipolar disorder
* Mania and hypomania
* Medication
* CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)
* DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy)
* Mental health
Learn more:
* Read Tristan's story: www.depressedforaliving.com/20...
* Tristan article "Fall in Love with Your Future Self": goodmenproject.com/featured-c...
* Ali on Tristan's podcast: / episode-fifty-eight-al...
* Carrie Fisher and mental health: www.nytimes.com/2016/12/28/he...
* International bipolar foundation: ibpf.org/
* Coping with bipolar disorder: www.nami.org/Learn-More/Menta...
* Reddit's Bipolar community: / bipolar
Connect with Ali:
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Website ► alimattu.com/
THE PSYCH SHOW! Making psychology fun and easy to understand. Produced, written, and edited by clinical psychologist Ali Mattu, Ph.D. All videos are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute clinical advice.
If you or someone you know needs help immediately, you should take one of the following actions:
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- text START to 741-741 in the United States or visit chat.suicidepreventionlifeline...
- go to your nearest hospital emergency room

[@drali]

Our top 10 bipolar depression myths: 1. Bipolar means you're angry. 2. Bipolar disorder explains your emotions. 3. People with bipolar depression are abusive & manipulative. 4. Bipolar disorder is your fault. 5. Everyone with bipolar depression should be on medication. 6. People with bipolar depression are dangerous. 7. People with bipolar depression are just depressed. 8. Mania feels good. 9. Hypomania is sustainable. 10. Bipolar disorder is the catalyst for creativity. What are your top bipolar myths?

[@merlinjsph4488]

"Bipolar disorder can arrest a person's emotional maturity and produce behavior that appears very childish and reckless. ".. Is that correct?

[@clarinamascarenhas7499]

I've just been diagnosed with bipolar and its terrifying but it makes me feel like finally the symptoms ive experienced make sense. Knowing what it is is honestly half the battle.

[@daniquedenbraven6871]

i really know what you mean with this since its been 2 years i hope youre doing better now!!

[@chibaby0306]

Thank you so much for shining some light to these myths. So many people fail to realize that people who have any mental illness are still human and feel everything. Thank you

[@drali]

Thank you for your support and for watching!

[@aredamancylife]

“Going really really fast and being sad” or generally describing things as fast and slow explains exactly how I’ve been feeling the last 10 years and could never find the words. Thank you!

[@plutodevil1618]

I was just diagnosed with type two bipolar disorder after almost two decades of doctors not knowing what's wrong with me. And because of that it is only recently, that I have started to search for more information about this illness. I like to hear stories from people who have the same kind of struggles, and from professionals who have studied it as well. It calms me and makes me not feel so alone and confused all the time. Currently I am indeed a patient in a psychiatric institution, and with the lack of activities here, these videos really come in handy. So thank you, and keep on the good work. I would love to see more videos about this matter in the future!

[@drali]

Thank you for sharing your experience! I'm so happy to hear this video was helpful to you.

[@marliesk3043]

That's a long time to go undiagnosed, I read a lot of those stories. I'm happy for you you finally know what's going on, that's a huge step forward! Fortunately my therapist saw me in my 'up', otherwise I would still be undiagnosed probably. Though I already knew 'only' depression wasn't what was up with me, months before that. I did a lot of research, but I didn't have the confidence to bring it up, because I thought it wasn't that serious. Stay strong over there! :)

[@jean6061]

I was misdiagnosed for over a decade and it was my psychiatrist who noticed the hypomania - so glad he did! I read what I could to learn about BP and really like Julie Fast's books. Polar Warriors is an excellent YoUTube channel devoted to bipolar disorder. You may find that you need to take meds for bipolar and they'll tell you to remain compliant with them (that just means keep taking them even when you feel better because that means they're working). I think a therapist is essential. Keeping to a routine, especially a consistent sleep/wake cycle, is important. There is more, but just learn, forgive your own setbacks, and strive toward a life that is as consistent as possible.

[@beepboop2821]

I sincerely hope it all works out for :)

[@ninaburg4893]

This meant a lot to me- I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder and ptsd. It was rly scary when I first found out and felt like I was just broken and a bad person. After doing more research and talking to professionals I feel more in control and less like bipolar is who I am. It’s definitely a part of me and I’m proud of myself for getting help and dealing with my diagnosis it rly has helped me so much with the relationships in my life. Thanks for this awesome video I truly appreciate it so much.

[@DarthZelda1294]

This video is such a great tool to explain what it feels like. I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 about 11 years ago when I was 16 and I’ve struggled to explain how I feel to other people and what medication does for me. I used to self harm back in high school and have since been able to find the strength to stop, I haven’t done it in 5 years now. It takes a lot of strength daily to get through the even with medication. I’m extremely lucky to be married to a wonderful guy who understand and supports me in a way that’s beneficial to the both of us. It does take some time, not to get completely better, but learn how to manage to live with it. Taking medication is absolutely okay, there’s nothing wrong with that. I hope everyone going through something similar finds something to make them smile daily ☺️

[@deeh9563]

I LOVE this... Just diagnosed with bipolar II yesterday, and it 100% makes sense to me. Have been a functioning depressed person for most of my life (one major depressive episode after the death of a significant loved one). But one more “perk” of Covid is that the stress & anxiety brought on my first hypomanic episode. And once it passed, I immediately knew what it was, called my doc & having a prescription filled. I actually feel RELIEVED knowing that this sense of being different from others but not being able to put my finger on it. It’s exhausting!!! So now I’m trying to digest as much 1st person description of the experience & coping strategies as I can. Thank you for a great video!!!

[@susannahXD]

emotional second guessing - THIS IS ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So so SO helpful to hear someone else articulating that experience. It is TOTALLY exhausting trying to work out what is a 'genuine' or 'reasonable' emotional response and what is just the consequence of my body acting up. God thank you so much for posting this, I feel legitimised in my experience of second guessing. It is very tiring. Wow. Thanks.

[@heatherwills3404]

Some of the more interesting things I run into are shock that I'm just a normal person. Thanks to media portrayal, bipolars are expected to be eccentric and weird all the time, like we're in a constant seesaw of up and down, not realizing there are normal days too. The phrase "She/he is a little bipolar" when they mean they're simply high strung or are emotional, and the idea that our emotions can flip on a dime when it's the opposite. Highs and lows are over, at the very minimum, days. I remember one that surprised me and made me happy, there can be good things about being bipolar. It's always felt as something I've had to work through, but with proper medications and therapy, things like hyper focus can be extremely helpful, as long as it doesn't turn into obsession levels. I completely relate to the constant stepping back and examining my emotions to make sure they're appropriate to the situation, because I have to figure out if it's how I really feel or if it's the disorder talking. I'm type 2, rapid cycling bipolar (whee!), so I have to constantly keep an eye on my moods to make sure that I don't need to get my medication adjusted or something.

[@drali]

Thanks so much for sharing your perspective! I've experienced this a lot, with friends and family as well as the people I work with. Hopefully the more stories we hear from people who actually have bipolar disorder, the more our culture will begin to change the way it thinks about bipolar disorder.

[@lopatsoccer]

Watching this as someone with bipolar type 2 and a psychology major, it’s really great to see someone breaking the stigmas around this disorder. A lot of people just assume you’re crazy or can’t function in society, but this shows that people like myself can be brilliant!

[@bigjake926]

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 16. I had been to the hospital twice for having extreme highs and struggling with self harm. To this day I have extreme highs really bad and I drank really bad for a while and had constantly highs. Your videos really help me alot, it makes me more aware of what I need to work on for myself :). Thank you

[@lolaoverstreet3432]

I am so grateful for your decision to help here! I realized I was nodding in agreement during the video - I wish my sons, sister & a few friends would watch it. I appreciate you!

[@drali]

So happy to hear this video was helpful for you!

[@keeperoflostsouls13]

I love that you guys are talking about this. These myths make it so hard to talk about things like this. It adds to the stigma and shame. Now, I only have depression, anxiety, and ADHD, but ive heard these myths over and over about so many different things. The worst one and hardest one to resolve negative feelings about is realizing that mental illness and not your fault or my fault, but how I deal with it is. I've started opening up about my experiences and about what my sister did to me when we were younger, and its helpful to talk about it. I learned the hard way about bottling things up. Its not healthy and not safe. Anyway, I hope this comment makes sense. Thank you both for talking about this! Another thing that's annoying is comparing one persons symptoms to the most extreme case. My youngest sister has autism but my dad just says she's lazy because he has seen autism in men and its nothing like hers. Well no kidding. Anyway, I could talk for hours but I won't. I get to emotionally involved in certain topics sometimes. do you take video suggestions?

[@drali]

Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment and feedback. So happy to hear this video resonated with you. Yes, if you have any video suggestions I'm happy to hear them!

[@Iktomiksa]

Great interview. Thanks to you both, and to everyone who advocates for mental illness awareness and neurodiversity. One myth I've come across, and you touched on in passing, is that, if you go to a professional to get a diagnosis, they will put you on a debilitating medication that will ruin your life. A lot of people avoid seeing a professional because they think you have to undergo shock therapy or go on a debilitating number of meds.

[@drali]

Thanks for your comment and support! I agree with you - seeing a professional does not mean you will be prescribed a medication or undergo an intensive treatment. All psychotherapy and medication treatments should be a collaborative partnership between you and the clinician.

[@LisaAGore]

THIS WAS SOOOO VERY HELPFUL! I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THIS VIDEO!

[@Hayu579]

Very lovely and helpful, thankyou ❤

[@annptully695]

I’ve had if I have been angry at someone...”have you had your tablets this morning”. Grrrr!

[@ryanliberty]

This was great! I look forward to the next one. 🙂

[@drali]

Thanks so much, Ryan! The follow up episode will be up on Monday 😀

[@annptully695]

I really enjoy this thank you!

[@OrangenBlues]

Yesterday I had an official medical diagnosis of bipolar disorder..I knew it in a way but it still was a shock. I went through my day on automatically..and today I feel so much . I laughed and I cried. Then started to research my medication and just general info. I Ve been anxious crying for hours now and I finally laughed throughout this video , thanks

[@margarethkatsuno9908]

Some vids deserve more than a thumbs up. Thank you for making this video about bipolar. I am bipolar.

[@Matt-hx4vn]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@drali]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@mentalhealthwithalana]

This is so great!! I have just been diagnosed with bipolar and it’s hard to deal with

[@beepboop2821]

I hope it works out well for you, just know that everything works out eventually :)

[@kpmallon]

Excellent! More interviews, please.

[@drali]

Thanks so much, Ken! Interviews are always difficult to organize and edit but they're some of my favorite videos to make.

[@kpmallon]

Yes, and in a sense, therapists are trained interviewers. Trained to connect and be curious.

[@drali]

Completely agree!

[@AlohaAngelique]

Emergency anxiety meds are a great idea. Helped me out in crowds when I had a broken leg

[@KarlFFF]

That was a nice and well edited interview. I'd like to know if we know what causes bipolar disorder and whether it is an umbrella-term for a group of disorders that is lumped together due to similarities in symptoms.

[@drali]

Thanks so much for your feedback! Your question about what causes bipolar depression is a good one. There's a lot we don't know about its causes. What we do know is there is a strong genetic risk associated with bipolar depression. It runs in families and is more common among twins. However, there are environmental factors that also impact the development of bipolar depression. For example, certain drugs (medications and recreational drugs) can trigger manic symptoms. We also know that certain life events like prolonged stress, a trauma, or a major loss can also make someone more vulnerable to developing bipolar depression. Putting all this together, it's best to think of bipolar depression as nature via nurture. In other words, certain people have a vulnerability to developing bipolar depression and specific experiences can trigger that vulnerability to develop into the disorder. Is it an umbrella term? Sorta. The bipolar family of problems includes a few disorders where moods fluctuate from "fast" to "slow". These include bipolar I (have experienced at least one major manic episode and one major depressive episode), bipolar II (at least one hypomanic episode, one major depressive episode, but no mania), and cyclothymia (have had less intense symptoms of depression and hypomania but the symptoms have been longer lasting). The tricky part is understanding these symptoms in kids and teenagers. The symptoms associated with the family of bipolar problems can be associated with a variety of problems in childhood (trauma, oppositional behavior, stress, ADHD, etc). That's why it's difficult to make this diagnosis with teenagers and is done very, very carefully to make sure the symptoms aren't be causes by something else.

[@KarlFFF]

Thank you for the thorough answer, really appreciate you putting the time in to write it.

[@drali]

Happy to help!

[@nathaliamesquita6740]

Hey Ali! My name is Nathália, watching you from Brazil for a while now, really been loving your show! I really wanted to ask. I think I'm likely bipolar. I've always struggled with severe mood swings, and being unable to concentrate, but I had always focused on the depressive symptoms... I thought I had depression and when I felt good was because it was under control. Do depressive episodes off and on constitute depression or is it more likely that they are a sign of bipolar? I do know I gotta check with a psychologist, but I wanted to know if my concern is accurate before I go anywhere.

[@billsf94131]

I'm fortunate that my depressive episodes come across as just extreme tiredness and never sadness. I can go to sleep feeling great and wake up feeling like I've been run over by a bus. I'm 64 and didn't get diagnosed until I was 56 because I always blamed the tiredness on hiv, which I've had since 27. Depakote works great for controlling the mania and I'm thinking of adding Latuda for the depressive side, but it's very expensive.

[@unleashingpotential-psycho9433]

I think bipolar is very manageable as long as someone's willing to admit they have the condition and need a little bit of help.

[@drali]

Thanks for your feedback and for watching!

[@cleoreizzelv3894]

Maybe in some cases but not in others

[@nunpho]

I wish it was that easy. My dad has struggled with it for the past 27 years with the manic side of it.

[@fleshhammer656]

A little bit of help? Try allot, and I life time struggle to just handle going through the symptoms. Its not very manageable for many.

[@Laughingwithtravii]

This was such a fun watch. I was diagnosed at 15 after I shoved my mom and said some extremely toxic stuff. I'm 26 now and that's still like, the lowest point of my life. BECAUSE of that I'm constantly worried I'm one of the ~violent ones~ because of this stigma attached to my illness. I know I'm not, especially since I prefer to self harm (it's been a few years now - a day at a time), but that doesn't make the intrusive thoughts feel any less real. One of the things I'm always trying to remind people is that if you break a leg, you can see that, you get a cast or whatever the appropriate treatment is, which is also physically there. With mental illness, it's harder to see that break, especially when people don't want you to see it. And even after you identify there's indeed a break, the treatment for it isn't nearly as simple, the effects aren't overnight, or even over month. So you gotta be patient and kind with yourself, start there, everyday. Talk to someone, anyone, talk out loud if you really truly trust no one. You aren't alone. And you aren't weak.

[@justarandomfan2421]

thank you

[@drali]

Thanks for watching!

[@veronicavatter6436]

Pretty much everything he said is very true for me.

[@linkalipski]

Hi. I definitely find it hard when I hear that it's all 'in the head' meaning we can just 'choose' to get out of it. I still have mini conversations in my head trying to tell that person how it's not so.. haha. Also there is this myth that 'you don't look depressed' or 'behave depressed'. My experience is that my mood flat line for the day can be moderate depressed, balanced, hypomanic, etc and then events of the day can make me laugh, cry, angry, etc but once that feeling has passed I am back to my flat line. So I can be a 2 on the mood scale (from bipolarUK) and still laugh at something on KZbin. But once that laugh is passed, I feel down. Or is this just me? Or just bipolar 2?

[@drali]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I don't think this is just you at all. You're speaking to the difference between mood and affect. Mood is your longer term experience (e.g. depression) while affect is your short term emotion (laughing at a KZbin video).

[@linkalipski]

Yes mood and affect! Exactly🙌 I'm glad it's not just me @@drali

[@deliaayork4108]

True

[@jean6061]

I think the comment I like least is when someone says, "Oh, I think we all have a bit of bipolar in us, don't you?"

[@theFriendlyGhst]

RE: Bipolar Explains your emotions I can actually relate to this with my Panic Disorder. Sometimes I've doubted my genuine reasonable fear because of it and gotten myself into sticky situations.

[@ErebosGR]

For the past few months, I've had sudden cravings for fish or eggs and I didn't know why. Then I read that omega-3 fatty acids seem to help with depressive symptoms associated with bipolar disorder. I know that the whole "cravings" argument is a controversial topic in medicine, but what's your personal opinion?

[@drali]

Based on what we know right now, someone diet won't impact whether or not they develop bipolar depression but it might impact some of the symptoms they experience. As we discuss in this video, it's important to understand your symptoms and what influences them.

[@nunpho]

I'm a little confused with the title saying bipolar depression rather than disorder but you use it interchangeably in the video, great video though. Are you just talking about the same thing? My dad has struggled with it for the past 27 years but it's with the manic side, maybe he's on the extreme end of the scale. I think the longest he has went without going to hospital willingly or being sectioned is about two years.

[@drali]

Great question. I do use the terms interchangeably. The official name of the disorder is "bipolar disorder". Part of the criteria for bipolar disorder is to experience depression. That's why I find it easier to explain what the problem is by saying "bipolar depression". The more practical issue is using "bipolar depression" led to more people seeing the video in KZbin search results than "bipolar disorder". I hope that helps clear things up. Thanks for watching!

[@cottonmouthxx7828]

My brother was diagnosed with Manic Depression (in the Netherlands and found out that is Bipolar) during a really terrifying manic episode, and he too goes through a manic episode almost every 2 or so years where he will have to be hospitalized for a few weeks to come down again. We really come all together as a family during those times to help him and his girlfriend through that time because it is impossible for her to go through on her own. Sorry for my little ramble, could just really relate to your message about your father!

[@nunpho]

@@drali thanks for answering!

[@nunpho]

@@cottonmouthxx7828 no need to apologize! I'm 32 and my dad has been like this for 27 years of my life. I was always the person to pick it up first when he was getting more manic. I know how hard it is ♥️. I was meaning that the longest he *hasn't* been in hospital/kept well has been two years. He is usually in for 3+ months. These past few years he has mainly been in hospital because he also has parkinsons and that keeps setting of his manic episodes. We all just want to see our loved ones safe and happy, my dad is feeling a lot better right now, hope your brother is doing ok too.

[@uwu-monster3267]

What symptoms does someome who has slight bipolar disorder have?

[@Matt-hx4vn]

Look into 'cyclothymia' for more. Bipolar doesn't really have a 'slight' version to it, if you have it you and the people around you will likely see the symptoms, but that is the most mild version.

[@drali]

In addition to Cyclothymia there are differences between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2. In Bipolar 1 individuals experience depression and manic episodes. With bipolar 2, people experience depression and hypomania. Hypomania is a milder form of manic. You can learn more here: www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-forms.

[@kimberly7558]

Not all people that have bipolar disorder are the same nor do they all have the same symptoms. A person can have some of the symptoms but not all. Everyone is different like if you're a good person bipolar will not make you into a bad person. Believe I know this from many years of experience.

[@user-tv4hb1yo1s]

How LSD influence on bipolars? Thanks in advance

[@drali]

Good question! I honestly haven't kept up with the research on this and can't tell you off the top of my head.

[@ManicMindTrick]

There seems to be some confusion between bipolar and borderline.

[@tomomishore5738]

Yeah we should get a video explaining the difference.

[@AutomaticDuck300]

@@tomomishore5738 Bipolar people have a baseline personality, i.e. their level of confidence and joy will change from one extreme to the other but what you like and what you're into doesn't change. If you're borderline, your sense of identity changes regularly to the point that what you like and what you're into will also change regularly. (You might feel like you don't know who you are if you're bipolar, but that confusion is a case of tying mood to personality). Borderline also often has a fear of abandonment and the moods can be extreme but they tend to change very rapidly (daily or weekly) instead of having episodes of a constant high or low mood over weeks or months in bipolar. Black and white thinking also. The view that something is all good or all bad. People who are borderline tend to idealise other people to being perfect, then when they make a mistake or reveal a flaw, suddenly they're seen as the worst person ever. (This can also be an issue in autism.) Those are just a few of the differences.

[@regierse]

Mania isn’t fun at all. My thoughts race too much to get anything done.

[@Goraiders75]

The burn snenario is more of Borderliñe Personality not Bi -polar 2 different issues

[@valbaetz2005]

what is gaslighting?

[@AutomaticDuck300]

It's when people tell you that your experiences and feelings are wrong/not happening, so that eventually you doubt your own perceptions and sanity. It's a way of manipulating you.

[@keridane9381]

👍👍👍👍👍💞

[@jesseh1398]

I hate it..everything that comes with it..all of the other disorders that go hand in hand...everything...why does nothing help??? 😓

[@drali]

Bipolar is a very difficult disorder to have. I hope some of the skills we discuss in the next video might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/op2ygaSBeZKmatk. If nothing seems to be helping; I recommend joining a support group so you can at the very least share your experience and talk to people who know how it feels. You are not alone in this.

[@kristenquinn8157]

Myth- bipolar 1 is worse than bipolar 2

[@freebie808]

Ketamine therapy