World Bipolar Day

Each year World Bipolar Day is celebrated on March 30th, the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, the famous Dutch Post-Impressionist painter and one of the most influential figures in the history of western art, who has been posthumously diagnosed with bipolar disorder. On this day international organizations collaborate to promote global awareness of bipolar disorder in order to eliminate the social stigma and discrimination surrounding the condition. In honor of this initiative, I want to share some information about bipolar disorder as well as highlight the amazing contributions from individuals who have managed this condition.

Bipolar disorder, previously referred to as manic-depressive disorder, is a condition characterized by dramatic shifts in mood, energy and activity levels that affect a person’s ability to carry out daily tasks. Bipolar disorder consists of alternating episodes of depression and either mania (bipolar I) or hypomania (bipolar II). Manic and hypomanic episodes are characterized by discrete periods of elevated mood, increased energy and heightened activity that represent a noticeable change from previous behavior. While people without bipolar disorder also experience changes in their mood, mood fluctuations within the context of bipolar disorder often last for days, rather than hours, and can be accompanied by extreme changes in behavior or functioning that can significantly disrupt daily routines and occasionally require hospitalization.

Onset of bipolar disorder typically occurs during adolescence or early adulthood with the median age of onset being in the early to mid-twenties. Approximately 3% of U.S. adults had bipolar disorder in the last year. Symptoms of bipolar disorder can be improved through a combination of medication and psychotherapy which can help reduce manic and depressive symptoms and improve an individual’s overall quality of life. This article, published by the Journal of American Medical Association, provides a valuable and helpful primer on the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder.

Despite the challenges and hardships often posed by bipolar disorder, individuals with this condition live full and meaningful lives and make significant and lasting contributions. Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison, a clinical psychologist who studies bipolar disorder (and who has documented her own experiences with the condition) has written extensively on the artistic contributions of those with bipolar disorder. Famous and historical figures who identify or have been speculated to have had bipolar include Vincent Van Gogh, Lord Byron, Robert Lowell, Virginia Woolf, Kanye West, Selena Gomez and many more. Carrie Fisher, the actress who played Princess Leia in the original Star Wars film, also struggled with the condition, famously documenting her life in the autobiographical novel, later made into a film, Postcards From the Edge. She wrote “At times, being bipolar can be an all-consuming challenge, requiring a lot of stamina and even more courage, so if you’re living with this illness and functioning at all, it’s something to be proud of, not ashamed of.” In one of his many letters Van Gogh also remarked, “Though I am often in the depths of misery, there is still calmness, pure harmony and music inside me.”

While managing bipolar can be challenging, please know that you are not alone, there is help available and that the Boston area has a wide array of resources for those managing this condition or helping a loved one struggling with bipolar disorder.

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Cam Bauchner is currently working towards a master’s degree in social work from Boston College with a specialization in mental health. He has several years of experience providing mental health care for adults in a variety of settings including inpatient programs and community mental health centers.

While Cam is interested in working with all individuals, he is especially passionate about helping individuals struggling with OCD, anxiety and depression. Additionally, he has a background working with clients experiencing psychosis, mood disorders, and their family members, and is committed to supporting these populations across treatment settings.

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