Bipolar disorder affects 40 million people in the world, yet stigma and misconceptions persist. World Bipolar Day (WBD) is a global effort to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote understanding of this mood disorder. Increased awareness leads to better support, early diagnosis, access to treatment, and more. Plus, it can help people with bipolar disorder feel much less alone, which is valuable in and of itself.
WBD falls on March 30th every year, which also happens to be prolific artist Vincent van Gogh’s birthday, who was posthumously diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The first World Bipolar Day was held in 2014, originating with the Asian Network of Bipolar Disorder (ANBD), the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), and the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD). These organizations aim to erase social stigma, grow understanding, and help people with bipolar disorder thrive.
Understanding bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder (sometimes called bipolar depression or manic depression) is a lifelong condition, but with appropriate treatment and support, many individuals with bipolar disorder can lead fulfilling lives. There are multiple types of bipolar disorder with unique characteristics.
Different types of bipolar Disorder
The different subtypes of bipolar disorder and their characteristics are:
Bipolar I disorder
Bipolar I disorder is characterized by manic episodes or mania. Manic episodes are typically referred to as the “highs” of bipolar, where people experience symptoms like elevated mood, increased energy, and impulsivity. To receive a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, someone must have had at least one manic episode lasting at least seven days or requiring hospitalization. Most people with bipolar I disorder experience depressive episodes, or “lows,” too. Depressive episodes consist of traditional depression symptoms like sadness, low energy, and hopelessness. However, not everyone who experiences mania has had a depressive episode. This is known as unipolar mania.
Bipolar II disorder
Bipolar II disorder is characterized by hypomanic episodes (rather than mania) and depressive episodes. Hypomanic episodes do not cause significant functional impairment or psychosis, distinguishing them from mania. The minimum duration of a hypomanic episode is four days. To be diagnosed with bipolar II, you must have had at least one hypomanic episode and one depressive episode.
Cyclothymic disorder/cyclothymia
Cyclothymia results in chronic mood fluctuations, including both depressive symptoms and hypomanic episodes. However, these mood episodes aren’t as intense or long-lasting as they are in bipolar I or II, so they do not meet the diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder. For a cyclothymic disorder diagnosis, you must have experienced mood episodes on and off for at least two years.
Other specified bipolar and related disorders
Some people experience some bipolar symptoms that don’t neatly fit neatly into one of the above diagnoses, but fall somewhere on the bipolar spectrum. These individuals are diagnosed with “other specified bipolar and related disorder.”
Other types of bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar-like symptoms can be a secondary diagnosis caused by something else, such as:
Substance-induced mood disorders: Drugs and substance abuse can trigger mood episodes that mimic bipolar disorder. While substance-induced mood episodes often resolve after stopping the substance use, some people may continue to experience mood instability, requiring further evaluation.
Medical conditions: Certain physical health conditions, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Cushing’s disease, can cause bipolar-like symptoms. In these cases, the underlying condition must be treated.
Common symptoms and challenges
Bipolar symptoms fall into two main categories: depression and mania. Some people may even have mixed episodes, where they experience manic or hypomanic symptoms alongside depressive symptoms. Others might experience rapid cycling, which is when they experience four or more mood episodes, switching between mania/hypomania and depression within one year.
Depressive symptoms
Depressive symptoms are the “lows” of bipolar disorder. They include:
Sadness
Hopelessness
Feelings of worthlessness
Loss of energy
Sleep disturbances (sleeping too much or having trouble falling asleep)
Loss of interest in activities
Having trouble completing everyday tasks
Moving or talking slowly
Trouble focusing
Thinking about death or suicide
Manic symptoms
Mania includes the “highs” of bipolar disorder. Signs of mania include:
Elevated mood
Jumpiness or feeling wired
Increased energy
Irritability
Racing thoughts
Speaking fast about a lot of different things
Lack of need for sleep
Impulsivity and recklessness
Feeling talented and powerful
Psychosis (in severe cases)
Symptoms of mania and hypomania are the same. However, the symptoms are much less severe in hypomania. Hypomanic episodes typically don’t require hospitalization or severely impact day-to-day life.
Co-occurring conditions and cognitive impacts
Bipolar disorder very commonly occurs alongside other mental health disorders, including:
Eating disorders
It’s also important to note that bipolar disorder can have cognitive impacts, especially during and after mood episodes. These impacts include trouble with executive functioning, memory, and paying attention.
Global perspectives on bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder affects people worldwide and is one of the leading causes of disability across the globe. However, different cultures view mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, differently. Sadly, in some countries, mental illness is even more stigmatized than it is in the US. Additionally, some cultures may even attribute mental health conditions to spiritual causes, which can lead to a lack of treatment. Low-income regions and limited professional psychiatric resources can also create a barrier to treatment in some countries.
How to spread awareness and reduce stigma
World Bipolar Day is the perfect opportunity to make a positive impact. Here are a few ways to spread awareness and reduce stigma.
Sharing personal stories
Vulnerable personal stories of lived experiences are powerful tools for breaking down misconceptions about bipolar disorder and normalizing the experience. People can normalize the conversation around this mood disorder by sharing stories through blogs, social media, podcasts, or public speaking. If you have bipolar disorder, you may choose to be open and honest about your struggles and triumphs to break down stereotypes. You never know who you might help by opening up.
You may also get inspired by reading about public figures who have shared stories about their own battle with bipolar disorder, such as Carrie Fisher, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, and Halsey.
Educational resources and myth-busting
Check out and share resources such as this blog post to help educate others on bipolar disorder. You can also learn more from the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and the American Psychiatric Association (APA)
Common myths fuel misinformation and misunderstanding of bipolar disorders. For example, there’s a myth that people with bipolar disorder are dangerous. Of course, this fuels the negative social stigma that often unfairly ostracizes these individuals, says Brittany Smith, a licensed clinical social worker with Grow Therapy. “What is dangerous is the rhetoric society often perpetuates about people with psychiatric diagnoses,” Smith adds. “It’s best to be cautious about making broad generalizations about any diagnosis or group of people.”
Another myth is that mania is fun. “Although it may seem fun and carefree by some, it is a mental health condition to be taken seriously,” Smith says. Mania can — and often does — go beyond the point of feeling happy and veers into uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous territory. Others might think that people with bipolar disorder are just moody, which is also not the case. There are countless symptoms, often severe, that impact how someone can regulate their mood and function day-to-day.
Engaging in awareness campaigns
Social media makes it easier than ever to raise awareness, start important conversations, and find others to connect with. You can get involved by:
Participating in #WorldBipolarDay campaigns online to amplify voices and spread accurate information and resources.
Supporting and collaborating with mental health organizations that provide resources, advocacy, and support.
Attending World Bipolar Day community events or organizing your own to educate and engage with others.
Supporting someone with bipolar disorder
If have a loved one with bipolar disorder, you may want to help them but aren’t sure how to. Here are a few key tips for best supporting people in your life who live with a type of bipolar disorder.
Ask how you can help: “The best way to support someone with bipolar disorder is to ask the person how to best support them,” Smith says. “Everyone is different and may receive or need support in different ways.”
Listen without judgment: Smith says you should always enter conversations with curiosity and a nonjudgmental approach. Put yourself in their shoes and try to understand where they’re coming from.
Respect boundaries: If your loved one has established any boundaries for their own mental health, be sure to respect them, Smith urges. Support them without taking over.
Encourage professional help: Suggest professional treatment if they aren’t already getting it, but avoid being pushy. If your loved one is open to it, you can help them with adherence to medications and routines.
Know what to not say or do: Sometimes, knowing what you shouldn’t do is just as important as what you should do. Here are some don’ts:
Don’t assume that treatment is a cure. Treatment can greatly manage symptoms, but bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition.
Don’t minimize their symptoms, saying things like “everyone gets mood swings” or “everyone gets depressed sometimes.”
Don’t try to go into “fix it” mode, even if you have good intentions.
Don’t give unsolicited advice.
Educate yourself: By educating yourself on bipolar disorder, you can recognize warning signs of mania, depression, and crises. This way, you can best support your loved one when they’re struggling.
How to help during different episodes
How you can best help depends on what type of mood episode your loved one is having.
During mania: Try to help with impulse control, preventing them from engaging in reckless behavior. Encourage them to rest whenever they can and avoid confrontation.
During depression: Offer emotional support and company, help with small tasks, and provide a shoulder to cry on.
In a crisis: People with bipolar disorder, particularly those with mixed features or rapid cycling, are at an increased risk for suicide. Seeking early intervention and professional support is critical. Whether they’re openly talking about wanting to die or showing warning signs like talking about being a burden, feeling trapped, giving away possessions, or saying goodbyes to people, it’s time to take action. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate help.
How therapy and treatment can help
There are many effective treatment approaches to manage bipolar disorder. Several therapy modalities are backed by research showing they’re effective for treating bipolar disorder. Some of these modalities include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps you identify and challenge negative thought patterns. By creating healthier thought patterns and behaviors, you can improve your symptoms.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): This skills-based therapy teaches mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance skills to help you cope with intense emotions.
Group psychoeducation: In a group setting, people can learn more about bipolar disorder and coping skills to help, like mood tracking.
Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT): IPSRT focuses on improving relationships and creating healthy daily routines and sleep schedules to stabilize symptoms.
Medication and treatment plans
Medication plays a large role in treatment. The most common classes of medications for bipolar disorder are mood stabilizers and antipsychotics. In some cases, a psychiatrist might prescribe an antidepressant alongside a mood stabilizer. However, antidepressants alone typically aren’t prescribed since they can increase the risk of mania.
These medications take time to work, so it’s important to take them every day exactly as directed. These medications may cause side effects, especially when you first start taking them, but these side effects typically subside. If they don’t, or if they worsen, contact your doctor.
A combination of talk therapy and medication is the most effective treatment approach for most people. Medication helps level out moods, while therapy has many benefits, including teaching invaluable coping strategies. Lifestyle changes, like sticking to a regular sleep schedule and getting consistent exercise, can also make a big difference.
Emerging research on bipolar disorder
As researchers continue to study bipolar disorder, the field of psychiatry makes advances in further understanding BD and effective treatments. For example, researchers made a major breakthrough in 2022, identifying a specific gene linked to bipolar disorder risk. Additionally, there’s a growing body of evidence supporting rapid-acting non-invasive brain stimulation as a treatment, as well as ketamine therapy.
Spreading awareness for World Bipolar Day
Use World Bipolar Day as a platform for change and an opportunity to encourage open conversations around mental health. This day of observance can act as a launching pad to spread hope and make a difference in your community and even the world.
About Ashley Laderer
Ashley Laderer has been a mental health advocate since 2016, when she first publicly wrote about her own battle with anxiety and depression. After hearing how others were impacted by her story, she decided to continue writing about anything and everything mental health. Since then, she’s been published in Teen Vogue, SELF, Refinery29, NYLON, VICE, Healthline, Insider, and more.
