03/31/2023
Reflecting on bipolar awareness day, let’s talk about the confusion, stigma, and miseducation around bipolar disorder.
First, we have to understand that there is no definitive tool to diagnose 100%. There’s no blood lab, no brain image, and no objective analysis. We’re left with subjective analysis, that as a psychiatrist, I feel is more limiting than helpful. We all have the ability to feel manic, amped up, excitable, with fast forward thinking. Imagine you win the lottery and you learned this after your third cup of coffee. Your brain will light up! For some, this can happen more readily. We hypothesize that this manic feeling has to do with uncontrolled dopamine (the chemical that regulates desire, reward, and pleasure). When dopamine levels are too high, we can become irritable, grandiose, paranoid, or delusional. And when we finally deplete our dopamine, we fall into a deep depression with no motivation, no desire or interest.
As a national psychiatric practice, treating 1000s of patients weekly, we often see the over-diagnosis and over-prescribing of medications in the community that we are left to correct. Rather than rushing into medication options (unless clinically necessary), let’s use this knowledge preventatively. What is required to maintain balanced dopamine levels? Consistent sleep hygiene, regular exercise, healthy nutrition, detoxification of relationships and work/home life stressors, regular meditation and self-reflection. This is how we solve the #2 leading cause of disability - bipolar depression.
If we learn anything today, it’s that we aren’t diseased and there’s nothing “wrong” with us. Bipolar manic and depressive patterns are a product of our physical, psychological, environmental, and spiritual health factors. Have empathy for each other and for yourself, and strive every day to add balance and harmony to your life. Love you all. ❤️
