by Leah Curtis

Created on: November 25, 2010

With a few keystrokes, an abundance of information is available to anyone today. The Internet has provided us with access to almost mind-numbing amounts of articles about everything. Type the word “Bipolar” into a search engine and thousands of headings for articles appear instantaneously. The only problem is, not all the information is correct.  There are numerous myths that surround this illness that linger on despite all evidence to the contrary. Below are five of the most common ones:

Myth #1- Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder, not a mental illness

Bipolar disorder is both a mood disorder and a mental illness. The DSM-IV (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) classifies Bipolar disorder as a mental illness. The DSM-IV is published by the American Psychiatric Association and sets a standard for physicians, insurance companies, researchers and numerous other organizations involved in health care. The importance of recognizing Bipolar disorder as more than just a mood disorder is so that people who suffer from this illness will get proper treatment.

Myth #2-People with Bipolar disorder cannot lead a normal, stable life

Anyone diagnosed with a mental illness faces certain challenges that the rest of the population does not. However, anyone with any kind of illness faces day-to-day challenges. Often, life plans have to change course. Bipolar disorder differs from person to person, therefore medical and psychiatric treatment can vary widely. Often, with proper treatment, the majority of people with Bipolar disorder go on to lead productive, well-rounded lives.

Myth #3-People can overcome Bipolar disorder if they work hard enough

Out of all of the misinformation surrounding this illness, this one is probably the most disturbing. Bipolar disorder is not a simple case of having bad mood swings. It is much more complicated than that. The mood swings can be severe, causing a person to be in constant turmoil, with chaotic, racing thoughts, during a manic phase of the illness. Judgement can become seriously impaired, sometimes leading to hyper sexuality, severely excessive spending, feelings of invincibility and aggressiveness.

During a depressive phase of the illness, a person can feel worthless, hopeless and full of despair. Bipolar disorder does not get better by itself. It is not a “mind over matter” psychological state. It is a major mental illness that requires treatment to improve a person’s quality of

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