Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLanguage Can Lead to StigmaSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping

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Table of Contents

Language Can Lead to Stigma

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

Coping

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However, some people with bipolar disorder are able to manage their symptoms and go about their day. Colloquially, this is referred to as ‘high-functioning’ bipolar disorder.

‘High-functioning’ bipolar disorder is when someone with bipolar disorder is stable enough to live a full life, with work, family, and hobbies, saysAimee Daramus, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and author of “Understanding Bipolar Disorder.”

“People with ‘high-functioning’ bipolar disorder may not have mood episodes if they’ve found the right medication, or they may still have mood episodes and have learned the skills to manage them,” says Dr. Daramus.

‘High-functioning’ bipolar disorder isn’t an official clinical diagnosis; it’s just a way that people describe someone who has bipolar disorder and still lives their life with less interference from the symptoms than a lot of other people with the same diagnosis, explains Dr. Daramus.

This article discusses why this term can be stigmatizing and explores the symptoms,causes, and diagnosis of bipolar disorder, as well as some treatment options and coping strategies that may be helpful. Because the term ‘high-functioning’ is stigmatizing, this article will use the term “bipolar disorder with low support needs” moving forward (this excludes quotes from expert sources).

Why the Term Is Stigmatizing

The term ‘high-functioning’ has been gaining a lot of popularity; however, it has problematic implications.

While some people with bipolar disorder may genuinely have mild symptoms and be able to function on a daily basis without much interference from their symptoms, there are others who may have severe symptoms and experience severe functional impairment as a result.

People Who Have High-Support Needs May Feel Pressured to Hide Their Symptoms

According to the National Institute on Mental Health, while 17.1% of people with bipolar disorder have moderate symptoms, 82.9% have severe symptoms and experience severe functional impairment.These people may face pressure to hide their symptoms despite having severe symptoms of bipolar disorder.

People With Low-Support Needs May Not Be Taken Seriously

Additionally, the colloquial term can also make it seem like thesymptomsof the condition are less severe than they actually are.

As a result, the person may be more likely to dismiss their symptoms instead of getting help and treatment. Others may also fail to take the person’s symptoms seriously, since the person may outwardly appear to be “fine” or “normal.”

This can be dangerous to the person and their loved ones. For instance, someone with bipolar disorder may be more likely to engage in risky behavior during a manic episode and may be at risk forsuicideduring a depressive episode.

Why People May Hide Their SymptomsWhat’s worse, someone with low-support needs bipolar disorder may simply be working hard to hide their condition from others.According to Dr. Daramus, these are some reasons why someone with bipolar disorder may feel like they have to hide their symptoms from others:They come from a social orculturalbackground that doesn’t recognize and support mental illness.They think they’ll feel better if they just power through and make it through the day.They’re hoping the condition will get better on its own.They’re trying to avoid any negative consequences to their work or relationships.They’re not comfortable showing any weakness or vulnerability.They’re ashamed of having a mental health condition.They think people will abandon them upon finding out they have a mental health condition.

Why People May Hide Their Symptoms

What’s worse, someone with low-support needs bipolar disorder may simply be working hard to hide their condition from others.According to Dr. Daramus, these are some reasons why someone with bipolar disorder may feel like they have to hide their symptoms from others:They come from a social orculturalbackground that doesn’t recognize and support mental illness.They think they’ll feel better if they just power through and make it through the day.They’re hoping the condition will get better on its own.They’re trying to avoid any negative consequences to their work or relationships.They’re not comfortable showing any weakness or vulnerability.They’re ashamed of having a mental health condition.They think people will abandon them upon finding out they have a mental health condition.

What’s worse, someone with low-support needs bipolar disorder may simply be working hard to hide their condition from others.

According to Dr. Daramus, these are some reasons why someone with bipolar disorder may feel like they have to hide their symptoms from others:

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Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

People with bipolar disorder may experience different sets of symptoms depending on thetype of episodethey are experiencing. The different types of episodes include:

Manic Symptoms

These are some of thesymptoms of mania:

Depressive Symptoms

These are some of the symptoms of a depressive episode:

Even someone with low-support needs bipolar disorder may experience any or all of these types of episodes.However, they have often figured out ways to work with their episodes and symptoms as much as possible, says Dr. Daramus. “For instance, they may aim to be more productive during manic or hypomanic episodes, and rest more during thedepressive episodes.”

Even someone with low-support needs bipolar disorder may experience any or all of these types of episodes.

However, they have often figured out ways to work with their episodes and symptoms as much as possible, says Dr. Daramus. “For instance, they may aim to be more productive during manic or hypomanic episodes, and rest more during thedepressive episodes.”

Can You Have ‘High-Functioning’ Depression?

Causes of Bipolar Disorder

While there isn’t a single, straightforward cause of bipolar disorder, there are many contributing risk factors that play a role, including:

9 Things Not to Say to Someone Who Has Bipolar Disorder

Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder

Thediagnostic processfor bipolar disorder may involve:

The person’s healthcare provider will determine whether their symptoms meet the criteria listed for bipolar disorder in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). Based on their symptoms, Dr. Daramus explains that the person might be diagnosed with:

If you have lower support needs, you may not reveal the extent of your symptoms to others. However, it’s important to be honest with your healthcare provider about the frequency and intensity of your symptoms.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Bipolar disorder can be managed withtreatment. According to Dr. Daramus, treatment may involve:

Helpful Online Bipolar Disorder Support Groups

Coping With Bipolar Disorder

Dr. Daramus shares some tips that can help youcope with bipolar disorderand be more functional:

Keep in Mind

Being able to manage bipolar disorder is commendable. However, hiding the condition or dismissing it in order to hide symptoms can be harmful. In addition to helping with the symptoms of the condition, treatment can help you explore the reasons why you’re not comfortable acknowledging your condition.

What It Really Feels Like to Live With Bipolar Disorder

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.National Institute on Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Sylvia LG, Montana RE, Deckersbach T, et al.Poor quality of life and functioning in bipolar disorder.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2017;5(1):10. doi:10.1186/s40345-017-0078-4Johansson C, Werbart A. Am I really bipolar?Personal accounts of the experience of being diagnosed with bipolar II disorder.Front Psychol. 2020;11:482715. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.482715National Library of Medicine.Bipolar disorder.

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.National Institute on Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Sylvia LG, Montana RE, Deckersbach T, et al.Poor quality of life and functioning in bipolar disorder.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2017;5(1):10. doi:10.1186/s40345-017-0078-4Johansson C, Werbart A. Am I really bipolar?Personal accounts of the experience of being diagnosed with bipolar II disorder.Front Psychol. 2020;11:482715. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.482715National Library of Medicine.Bipolar disorder.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Alliance on Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.National Institute on Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Sylvia LG, Montana RE, Deckersbach T, et al.Poor quality of life and functioning in bipolar disorder.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2017;5(1):10. doi:10.1186/s40345-017-0078-4Johansson C, Werbart A. Am I really bipolar?Personal accounts of the experience of being diagnosed with bipolar II disorder.Front Psychol. 2020;11:482715. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.482715National Library of Medicine.Bipolar disorder.

National Alliance on Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.

National Institute on Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.

Sylvia LG, Montana RE, Deckersbach T, et al.Poor quality of life and functioning in bipolar disorder.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2017;5(1):10. doi:10.1186/s40345-017-0078-4

Johansson C, Werbart A. Am I really bipolar?Personal accounts of the experience of being diagnosed with bipolar II disorder.Front Psychol. 2020;11:482715. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.482715

National Library of Medicine.Bipolar disorder.

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