A Better Way to Describe Bipolar Disorder by a Young Person Living With Bipolar Disorder

As someone in their 20s living with Bipolar Disorder, I’m frustrated by the same copy and pasted description of Bipolar Disorder that I see online, in books, and even in hospital and therapy settings.

My aim is to make that description more clear, accurate, and stereotype free.

Whether you are living with Bipolar Disorder, you love someone who is, or you’re just stopping by, I’d like to offer the best description I could come up with (especially since most people have no clue how to describe it.)

Quickly. What Bipolar Disorder is not…

• Not about anger or rage.
• Not about multiple personalities.
• Not about being indecisive, black and white, or flip floppy.
• Not a feeling. Not a phase. Not a personality type. (AKA: Not something that “everyone” has, is, or goes through in life.)
• Not just your average, daily, or situational mood changes.
• Not to be confused with Borderline Personality Disorder (or BPD.)

What it is… (The better description)

The average person cycles through neutral and healthy emotions like happiness, sadness, anger, or surprise…