If you experience intense fluctuations in mood and energy, you may suffer from what’s known as Bipolar disorder. These ups and downs, called manic or depressive episodes, deeply affect the lives of those who suffer from the disorder, and may even lead to self-harm or death. This video sheds light on the different forms of the condition, its challenges, and the hope that comes with treatment.
The full story
If your emotions are like an intense roller coaster, where you feel energized and invincible during the highs, and exhausted and hopeless during the lows, you may have what’s known as Bipolar disorder.
bipolar disorder explained
A bipolar brain experiences severe fluctuations in mood, energy, and ability to function. It affects around 1 in 40 adults at some point in their lives and is often passed down through generations. Previously also known as manic depression, it often goes hand in hand with other issues, like anxiety, which make it difficult to identify. To learn more about it, let’s look at Ben, a teenager with a deep love for music who is living with this neuroatypical trait.
ben’s story
Ben, like many other boys his age, goes to school, has a group of friends, and plays music with his band. One day, after coming back from practice, something changes: he enters his first manic episode.
maniac episodes
During mania, Ben feels invincible and euphoric without a particular reason. Thousands of thoughts are racing through his mind, and just as many future plans—not all of them realistic. He works tirelessly for days and hardly gets any sleep. Full of excitement he calls his friends and talks for hours, switching topics so fast that even he can’t keep up. After Ben impulsively buys lots of stuff with his mother’s credit card, she confronts him, but instead of being remorseful, he gets furious. Then, after a week, everything suddenly changes.
depressive episodes
Ben enters depression. Now he feels exhausted and lays in bed all day. When he does get up he finds nothing worth living for. Even the simple thought of getting dressed seems meaningless. He also has no appetite, and often skips meals. Since Ben has also lost all interest in music, he doesn’t show up for practice and later he feels guilty about it—telling himself he’s a worthless friend. This is when he feels the lowest and starts to have dark thoughts.
3 types of bipolar
The symptoms of bipolar disorder look different in each case, which is why the condition is so difficult to diagnose and like all mental disorders, can only be defined on a spectrum. Traditionally, three types are recognized: Bipolar 1, Bipolar 2, and Cyclothymia.
Bipolar 1 is characterized by intense manic episodes that can last a week or more, and sometimes ends with a trip to the hospital due to risky decisions. These are followed by a depressive episode.
Bipolar 2 is characterized by less intense hypomanic episodes that can last 3 or 4 days, but deep depressive phases with dark ideas and self-harm.
Cyclothymia is characterized by mood swings between episodes of hypomania and mild depression. While emotional changes of Bipolar 1 and 2 can spread over weeks, the ups and downs of cyclothymia often happen spontaneously over shorter periods—even within the same day.
treatment options
The condition is often treated with antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers, that dampen the intensity and frequency of the episodes. The medications are often combined with psychotherapy or psychoeducation to help stabilize daily activities and reduce substance abuse and relapse.
People like Ben can often feel helpless when they are first diagnosed, but eventually may realize that they can live fulfilling lives, have families, and have successful careers. Some feel as if their atypical brain makes them more creative, and choose to pursue a career in the arts.
what do you think?
What do you know about bipolar? Do you have, or know someone with the disorder? If so, what do you know about supporting those coping with it? Tell us your experiences and thoughts in the comments below!
Sources
- Truschel, J. (2020, September 29). Bipolar Definition and DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria. www.healthcentral.com
- Bipolar Disorders_Adult Guidelines – Floridabhcenter.org
- Jain, A., & Mitra, P. (2023, February 20). Bipolar Disorder. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing.
Dig deeper!
- Read about the diagnosis and treatment of Bipolar Disorder
- Read about therapy for Bipolar Disorder
- Read about the genetics of Bipolar Disorder
- Read about some positive traits of Bipolar Disorder
Classroom activity
Objective:
Students will examine the nature and impact of Bipolar disorder by exploring manic and depressive episodes, subtypes, and support strategies. They will discuss diagnostic challenges, treatment options, and how individuals can live fulfilling lives despite the condition.
Materials Needed:
- Sprouts Video on Bipolar Disorder.
- Handouts/Case Studies: Illustrating different presentations of Bipolar (e.g., Bipolar 1, Bipolar 2, Cyclothymia)
- Whiteboard or Large Post-it Notes for group brainstorming
- Optional: Brief articles on treatment modalities (medication, psychotherapy) and personal narratives
Duration: 60 minutes
Steps:
1. Introduction and Script Viewing (10 minutes):
- Introduce the topic by explaining that Bipolar disorder is characterized by drastic shifts in mood and energy, and it varies widely from person to person.
- Show a short video clip or read scripted scenes (e.g., Ben’s manic episode, then his shift into depression) to give students a clear picture of the mood swings.
- Prompt students to jot down immediate reactions or questions:
- What surprised you about Ben’s experiences?
- Which behaviors or emotions stood out the most?
2. Group Analysis: Types and Challenges (15 minutes):Divide into Three Groups
Assign each group one of the following subtypes to explore:
- Divide into Three Groups, assign each group one of the following subtypes to explore:
- Group 1: Bipolar 1 (focus on severe mania)
- Group 2: Bipolar 2 (focus on hypomania + severe depression)
- Group 3: Cyclothymia (milder but more frequent mood swings)
- Discuss & Brainstorm, using excerpts from the script or handouts, each group identifies:
- Key Symptoms and distinguishing features of their subtype
- Possible Challenges in daily life (school, relationships)
- Diagnostic Difficulties (e.g., confusion with anxiety, ADHD, or normal teen behavior)
3. Presentations and Connections (15 minutes):
- Each group shares:
- Their subtype’s defining characteristics
- Examples (real or hypothetical) of how it might affect a person’s life
- Any questions or misconceptions they encountered
- Class Discussion, encourage classmates to draw connections between the subtypes:
- How are they similar, and how do they differ?
- What might make Bipolar disorder especially hard to diagnose?
4. Class Debate: Treatment and Stigma (15 minutes):
- Split into Two Sides, pose the following questions for a structured debate:
- Question 1: Should medication be the primary treatment for Bipolar disorder, or should psychotherapy and lifestyle interventions take precedence?
- Question 2: Can greater public awareness reduce stigma enough to encourage early diagnosis, or are structural changes (like policy, insurance coverage) more critical?
- Debate Prep and Discussion, give each side 3–5 minutes to gather points. Encourage them to use examples from Ben’s story, group findings, or personal knowledge.
- Alternate arguments between sides, ensuring respectful and evidence-based dialogue.
5. Reflection and Sharing (5 minutes):
- Individual Reflection, ask students to write a brief response:
- What is the most important thing you learned about Bipolar disorder today?
- How might understanding mood disorders change the way we treat friends, family, or classmates who show such symptoms?
- Open Share, invite a few students to share their reflections with the class.
Assessment
- Engagement: Observe student participation in group work and discussions.
- Critical Thinking: Look for connections they make between symptoms, subtypes, and real-life implications.
- Application: Assess whether students consider ethical and practical concerns in the debate (e.g., stigma, treatment accessibility).
- Collaboration: Note how well students listen to each other, ask clarifying questions, and build upon each other’s ideas.
This activity aims to deepen students’ understanding of Bipolar disorder’s complexities—how it manifests, how it’s treated, and how personal and societal factors play roles in managing the condition.
Collaborators
- Script: Jonas Koblin and Ludovico Saint Amour di Chanaz, PhD
- Cartoon artist: Pascal Gaggelli
- Producer: Selina Bador
- Voice artist: Matt Abbott
- Coloring: Nalin
- Editing: Peera Lertsukittipongsa
- Sound Design: Miguel Ojeda
- Publishing: Vijyada Songrienchai
