“This bipolar weather is driving me crazy!” You hear your colleague say.

When you experience bipolar disorder, you can sometimes be shaken up by some of the negative comments you hear about your neurodivergence from those around you. Hearing comments like this that use the label “bipolar”  to describe unstable and unpredictable things and behaviours is one way that individuals and society as a whole stigmatise bipolar. Because of this stigma, it’s sometimes difficult to create a positive view of your neurodivergence. 

In a study conducted by researchers at the University College London, they found that there are two forms of stigma that individuals with mental health conditions, especially bipolar, can experience. They are: 

• public stigma, and 
• internalised stigma. 

Let’s start with public stigma. Comments like those mentioned earlier in this article make it difficult to have a healthy relationship with and view of bipolar. But it’s not just comments that are stigmatising, but also different views that the public has of bipolar. This includes views such as:

• Mental health conditions are not “real”,
• Mental health conditions are due to things like weak faith or being “mentally weak”,
• Mental health conditions are due to personality flaws,
• Mental health conditions do not affect physical health.

Public stigma like these shape how individuals with bipolar disorder are treated. For example, historically, those with mental health conditions like bipolar were often institutionalised for the majority of their lives. However, over time, the public, and especially health professionals, has started to understand that it’s possible for those with mental health conditions to live independent and stable lives. Stability and independence is possible with proper care and treatment for the condition. Nevertheless, while there have been positive changes in how people with mental health conditions are treated, there is still a long way to go.

The second type of stigma is internalised stigma. Internalised stigma is often shaped by public stigma. For example, if you’re constantly told by people around you that your mental health condition is due to “weak faith”, then you might think that praying more could help you “take away” your condition. You might also think that getting treatment from a professional is “unnecessary.”

Likewise, the public view of mental health as only affecting the mind can shape how you view your mental health. For example, you might think that you’re “lazy”, “a loser,” or “a negative person” when you have a depressive episode. You might also ignore the research that shows how moods like depression and mania impact different areas of your life from your energy levels to your sleep patterns. 

That being said, when you think of your relationship with bipolar, it’s important to unpack the negative assumptions you’ve learned and internalised from the public. It’s also important that you begin to form a healthier view of what it means to have bipolar. Remember, it’s never too late to change your mind on mental health!