Symptoms & diagnosis
True or false: bipolar disorder only causes sadness.
False. It causes both extreme highs (mania) and extreme lows (depression).
True or false: bipolar disorder is caused by being weak or dramatic.
False. It is a real medical condition caused by brain chemistry and genetics.
True or false: bipolar disorder cannot be treated.
False. It can be very effectively managed with medication and therapy.
Instead of saying 'he's bipolar,' what is the respectful way to say it?
He has bipolar disorder, or he is a person with bipolar disorder.
Myth or fact: people with bipolar disorder are dangerous and unpredictable.
Myth. Most people with bipolar disorder are not dangerous. Like anyone, they deserve understanding and support.
What is the word for the 'high' mood phase in bipolar disorder, where a person feels unusually energetic or on top of the world?
What is mania?
Bipolar disorder tends to run in families. What does that tell us about one of its causes?
It has a genetic cause — it can be inherited from family members.
Who would you see for talk therapy for bipolar disorder?
A psychologist or therapist (also accept psychiatrist).
Can a person with bipolar disorder go to school, have a job, and live a normal life?
Yes — with proper treatment, many people with bipolar disorder live full, productive lives.
Myth or fact: bipolar disorder means your mood switches every few hours.
Myth. Episodes last days, weeks, or even months — not just a few hours.
During a manic episode, a person might only sleep 3 hours but still feel fully rested. Is this normal or a symptom?
It is a symptom — decreased need for sleep is a key sign of mania.
These chemical messengers in the brain, like dopamine and serotonin, are out of balance in people with bipolar disorder. What are they called?
Neurotransmitters.
"Name one healthy habit — outside of medication — that can help someone with bipolar disorder manage their symptoms day to day."
Any reasonable answer works: keeping a regular sleep schedule, exercising, avoiding alcohol, sticking to a daily routine, or journaling to track mood changes.
Bipolar disorder is often confused with and misdiagnosed as this other condition because the sad episodes look the same.
Major depressive disorder (depression).
Myth or fact: once someone with bipolar disorder feels better, they can stop taking their medication.
Myth. Stopping medication without a doctor's guidance is one of the biggest causes of relapse.
Bipolar disorder involves two types of episodes. Name both.
Manic episodes (extreme highs) and depressive episodes (extreme lows).
Besides genetics, name one life experience that can trigger a mood episode in someone with bipolar disorder.
Any reasonable answer: trauma, major stress, loss of a loved one, lack of sleep, etc.
CBT is a common therapy for bipolar disorder. What does CBT stand for?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Why is sleep so important for someone with bipolar disorder?
Poor sleep is a major trigger for mood episodes — keeping a regular sleep schedule helps prevent mania and depression.
Myth or fact: therapy alone, without medication, is usually enough to fully control bipolar disorder.
Mostly myth. Most people need a combination of medication and therapy for the best results.
What does a depressive episode in bipolar disorder look like day to day? (Say 2)
Deep sadness, low energy, trouble concentrating, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, and feeling hopeless.
Two parts of the brain that work differently in people with bipolar disorder — one controls impulses, the other handles emotions.
The prefrontal cortex (impulse control) and the amygdala (emotions).
In CBT for bipolar disorder, what is one thing a therapist helps the person learn to do? (Say 1)
recognize early warning signs of an episode, challenge negative thinking, build healthy coping habits, etc.
On average, how many years does it take for someone with bipolar disorder to get the correct diagnosis after their symptoms first appear?
About 6 to 10 years — it is often misdiagnosed first.
Myth or fact: children and teenagers can be diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Fact. Bipolar disorder can appear in young people, though it requires careful diagnosis.