The common misconceptions of bipolar disorder debunked! Intro- We have information at the ready in today's world. We associate bipolar disorder with abrupt bad moods which is incorrect. The Myth- We have built this stereotype of bipolar disorder due to assumptions and being uniformed. I hope this slide show clears that message up. What is bipolar? Most people don't know there are 2 types of bipolar disorder: Bipolar I and Bipolar II. One more severe than the other. Basic characteristics of Bipolar disorder include the following: ~Can a person with bipolar disorder live normally? YES! Most have jobs, family, relationships ~Bipolar just means moody. NO! More than just a random mood swing. Very High or Very Low ~Most bipolar episodes happen fast. False! Usually last days, weeks or months ~People with bipolar disorder are always happy or sad, never in the middle. False! A balanced state called euthymia can occur and last for weeks.

1. Bipolar Myths
Steven Jacquez
SPE 222: Orientation to Education of Exceptional Children!
10/24/21

2. Introduction
Today it seems that people are quick to label or diagnose someone with bipolar
disorder. In a world where information is readily available in the palm of one’s hand,
there seems to still be a large misunderstanding of what being bipolar really is. No all
the blame can be placed on the (mis)information that is out there for us to consume.
There are some cultural aspects that may need to be considered while investigating
these stereotypes and myths of bipolar disorder.

3. The Myth
“His in one of his moods again. . . he’s probably bipolar.” We have all described
someone’s bad mood in this way before. Perhaps your significant other snapped at you
for some reason, you jokingly attributed this to them being “bipolar.” Comments like
this is what perpetuates the stereotype and continues the spread of misunderstanding
associated with this disorder. The next few slides will help clear up some of the stigmas
attached to bipolar disorder, and hopefully give you a better understanding of what the
disorder truly is.

4. What is Bipolar Disorder?
Person may exhibit:
● Difficulty carrying out daily tasks
● Unusual mood swings
● Varying degrees of energy
● Very high peaks and very low valleys of
mood
There are actually 2 types of bipolar disorder
that a person can be diagnosed with:
Bipolar I- Periods of severe mania and
depression
Bipolar II- Less severe hypomanic episodes,
but can still have severe periods of depression.

5. Can a person with Bipolar Disorder live a
“normal” life?

6. YES!
Many people diagnosed with bipolar disorder lead fulfilling lives. They have a
career, families, and maintain interpersonal relationships.

7. Isn’t being bipolar just being moody?

8. NO!
Many of us without bipolar disorder attribute bad moods to being bipolar. We all
have our ups and downs, but people with this disorder can experience extremely
high peaks and equally low valleys of depression.

9. Bipolar episodes are quick. They go
from happy to sad instantly.

10. False!
Mood changes in someone with bipolar disorder can experience an episode of
mania, or deep depression that can last anywhere from a few days to a few
months.

11. People with bipolar disorder are
alway happy or sad. Never balanced.

12. False!
Just like the high peaks and low valleys a bipolar person can experience, there
is also a state of balanced mood called euthymia that can last several weeks.

13. References
● Turnbull, A. (2020, January). Plus.pearson.com. Retrieved October 24, 2021, from
https://plus.pearson.com/
● NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2021, from
https://www.nami.org
● Know more. live brighter. Verywell Mind. (2020, March 25). Retrieved October 24, 2021, from
https://www.verywellmind.com
● Masters, M., Brown, J. J., Cassata, C., Editors, E. H., Sullivan, K., Kraft, S., Vaughn, L., Groth, L.,
Taylor, M., Upham, B., Rauf, D., & Lee, K. (n.d.). Everyday Health: Trusted Medical Information,
expert Health Advice, news, tools, and resources. EverydayHealth.com. Retrieved October 24,
2021, from https://www.everydayhealth.com/.
● Your mental health companion. MindDoc. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2021, from
https://www.mymoodpath.com/.
● Health Care made easier in AZ, CO, WY, NE, NV, CA. Banner Health | Health Care Made Easier in
AZ, CO, WY, NE, NV, CA. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2021, from
https://www.bannerhealth.com/.