How to Explain the ‘Faces’ of Bipolar Don’t All Look the Same

Just as your face is unique, your bipolar disorder diagnosis doesn’t have to “look” the same as anyone else—and it shouldn’t define you.

“You don’t have the highs of bipolar.” This is a statement I have heard numerous times from family members or close friends. I’m here to share with you that the faces of bipolar disorder don’t all look the same. For me, being diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 1 has redefined how I view my mental illness and how it is treated, but it hasn’t defined me.

Bipolar disorder is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health as a brain-based disorder that changes one’s mood, energy levels, activities and affects daily tasks. My diagnosis of bipolar disorder type I is diagnosed by having symptoms of elevated mood or mania, mixed episodes of mania and depression, and it can last for weeks—whereas bipolar disorder II is characterized by depression, hypomanic episodes, but no full-blown episodes of mania or mixed states of mood. There is also bipolar disorder not otherwise specified and even cyclothymic disorder.

How do I define my bipolar disorder?

I define it as something that changes the way I think, sometimes how I behave, and how my brain processes the world. My symptoms are often characterized by long periods of depression, mostly during winter, or after the loss of a romantic relationship, or by manic  symptoms such as periods of lots of energy, racing thoughts, the ability to work and be very productive, little sleep (such as 4 or 5 hours a night) for months on end, and excitement. My illness has impacted my daily life, and my ability to work in a traditional setting or with too much direction or not enough clear boundaries and guidelines. It has caused me hospitalizations, to take daily medication, and I go to therapy regularly to discuss how it impacts my daily life, my personal life, and how I can better manage my symptoms.

Bipolar disorder looks different from person to person. I think those differences can be subtle or great. They can be disastrous for some, and for others like me, it can be a source of inspiration and creativity. Regardless of how the illness manifests itself in your life, I am here to tell you, you don’t have to feel the same or process it the same as anybody else. You’re unique, you’re beautiful, and you can recover. I am living in recovery, and I believe recovery is a process that is moment by moment, day by day. I didn’t arrive at recovery, but I’m always in the process of recovering. I’m enjoying the journey despite the negative side of my symptoms and illness.

You can have purpose and live a meaningful life with bipolar disorder. Your life doesn’t look the same as anyone else’s, and it shouldn’t have to look the same, either. You’re an individual, who lives in a diverse world of beauty and truth, and you have something to offer this world. I encourage you to be honest and authentic, share your story, and help destroy the stigma surrounding bipolar disorder and all mental illness.

The faces of bipolar disorder look different, even if we have some shared experiences in our eyes from our journey with recovery. You don’t have to look like me, or have to have traveled my journey to relate, but my hope is that you can find community here in knowing there are people out there who can relate, understand, and empathize with you even if their names, faces, and stories don’t look the same. I am Dave Wise. I have bipolar disorder, and I’m living in recovery. I am a face of bipolar disorder, but bipolar disorder does not define me.

Learn more:
6 Ways to Remain Hopeful in The Face of Stigma
The Bipolar Trickster: Smiling in the Face of It