‘Stigma of bipolar depression is real’: Experts

A man sits in a room at a mental health facility in Detroit, Michigan, in September, 2018.

A man waits in a car outside a mental hospital in downtown Detroit, Mich., in September.

The number of people with bipolar disorder in the United States has more than quadrupled over the past 10 years, to more than 23.7 million people, according to the most recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But the number of those with depression has also quadrupled to nearly 3.5 million. 

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 20 percent of the world’s adults with bipolar depression and more than a third of those diagnosed with depression also have depression. 

But there are still significant stigma around bipolar depression.

The stigma of bipolar is that of an individual with bipolar, according the American Psychiatric Association. 

“Stigma around bipolar disorder is that individuals with bipolar are not mentally healthy and can be dangerous,” said Lisa McElroy, a professor at the University of Miami School of Medicine and an author of “Bipolar: Understanding the Condition” and “Bipolar Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment.”

“We often talk about people with BPD, we don’t talk about bipolar disorder.

We also don’t have the tools to accurately diagnose BPD,” McElray said. 

Bipolar Disorder and Anxiety Symptoms:  BPD symptoms may include: a feeling of loss or hopelessness that persists for weeks or months or a worsening of symptoms, such as: “hyperactivity, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, panic attacks, mood changes, irritability, agitation, or insomnia.”

Symptoms of depression include: feeling anxious, depressed, or restless, a drop in energy, feeling lethargic, a change in sleep patterns, loss of interest or enjoyment in daily activities, a loss of appetite, trouble concentrating, trouble staying awake, or trouble sleeping.

Symptoms may include loss of libido, feeling unable to feel affection or sexual pleasure, moods changes, or an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior.

Symptoms include feelings of guilt or shame or a sense of helplessness or hopeless feelings, feelings of hopelessness or self-doubt, or a lack of interest in normal activities.

Symptom severity may include a diagnosis of depression, mood disorder, or anxiety disorder. 

Symptoms and Signs: Depression can occur at any age, and can have serious consequences.

In adults with depression, depression symptoms can include: a loss of energy, difficulty getting along with others, feelings that you’re not as good as you thought you were, difficulty sleeping, or changes in your life that are not as expected.

Symptoms of BPD can include loss in libido or feelings of helplessiness or hopeless feeling, mood shifts, decreased interest in activities, or decreased quality of life.

BPD can lead to increased risk for suicidal ideation and behavior.

It can also lead to feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and feelings of worthlessness.

Symphobia can be a contributing factor to depression and anxiety symptoms.

It is a chronic fear of the unknown, a pervasive sense of dread about the future and the idea that one day you will die, said Dr. Elizabeth M. LeBoeuf, a psychiatrist and clinical psychologist in Washington, D.C. People with BDD may experience a wide range of symptoms including: difficulty concentrating, difficulty thinking clearly, feelings disoriented, or disorganized, changes in mood, feeling irritable, mood disturbances, or poor concentration, or feeling hopeless or that one of their relationships is over.

Symptoms may include feeling suicidal, feeling helpless, feeling ashamed, feeling guilty or worthless, feelings hopeless or helpless, feelings paranoid, feelings unable to control one’s thoughts, or depressed. 

Suicide: Bisexuality can lead people to consider suicide.

Suicide attempts are among the most common mental health problems in people with mental illness, according to the Centers For Disease Control.

There are nearly 200,000 people who attempt suicide in the U.S. annually, according data from the National Center for Health Statistics. 

About 1 in 4 people who have attempted suicide are not treated.