translated from Spanish: World Bipolar Disorder Day

World Bipolar Disorder Day is celebrated worldwide every year on March 30 – the day Vincent van Gogh, a famous Dutch painter believed to have suffered from bipolarity , is celebrated every year with the aim of raising awareness of bipolarity and helping to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that can be chronic or episodic (occurs occasionally and at irregular intervals) and can cause unusual, often extreme and fluctuating changes in mood, energy and activity level, and concentration. Everyone has normal ups and downs, but bipolar disorder is different. The variety of mood changes can go from end to end. In manic episodes, a person may feel very happy, irritable, or optimistic, and there is a marked increase in activity level. In depressive episodes, the person may feel sad, indifferent or desperate, as well as show a very low level of activity. Some people have hypomaniacal episodes, which are like manic episodes, but are less serious and problematic. Most of the time, bipolar disorder occurs or begins during the late teens or when adulthood begins, although it can sometimes occur in children. Although symptoms appear and go away, bipolar disorder usually requires lifetime treatment and doesn’t stop on its own. The exact cause is unknown, although various research suggests that there is not one, but that there may be a combination of factors that contribute to bipolar disorder.

How is bipolar disorder diagnosed? A psychiatrist or other mental health professional diagnoses bipolar disorder based on the symptoms, course of life, and experiences of the affected person. Some people have bipolar disorder for years before they’re diagnosed. This may be because:
Bipolar disorder has symptoms in common with several other mental health disorders. A doctor may think the person has a different disorder, such as schizophrenia or depression (unipolar).
Family and friends may notice symptoms, but don’t realize they’re part of a bigger problem.
People with bipolar disorder often have other health problems, which can make it difficult for doctors to diagnose it.

Treatment, on the other hand, can include medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of both and helps many people, even those with the most severe forms of bipolar disorder. Living with bipolar disorder can be challenging, but there are things you can do to make it easier for you, a friend, or a loved one:
Get treatment and follow it: Recovery takes time and isn’t easy, but treatment is the best way to start feeling better.
Go to medical and therapeutic appointments, and talk to your health care provider about treatment options.
Take all medicines as directed.
Organize activities: maintain a routine for eating and sleeping, and make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
Learn to recognize changes in mood.
Ask for help following your treatment.
Be patient. Improving takes time. Social support helps.

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong disease, but ongoing long-term treatment can help manage symptoms and allow healthy living.

Original source in Spanish

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