Recently, "Biopolar disorder is also called genius disease" has become the 7th hot search. In the relevant content, the statements about bipolar and related obstacles are very "romantic"—

Well-known figures such as Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Hemingway, and the poet Haizi have all been troubled by bipolar disorder. Therefore, bipolar disorder is also called "genius disease".

In this hot search square or comment section, some users joked that "this is the only disease I want to get."

Source: Weibo screenshot

Bipolar disorder and related disorders are defined as manic, mixed or (hypo)manic episodes or symptoms that usually alternate with depression episodes or symptoms. [1]

The high energy signs and creativity during (hyper) mania attacks are also the reason why bipolar disorder is called "genius disease".

During the (hyper) manic episode, patients with bipolar disorder will have the characteristics of high mood, reduced sleep demand, significant increase in energy, and increased mental activities. For some patients who are adapted to (hypo)mania, such a state may lead to high energy, creativity, self-confidence and extraordinary social functions. Even many people do not want to leave this pleasant state. [2]

However, not all patients have this manifestation during (hypomania).

In some patients who are not adapted to (hypomania), (hypomania) attacks are manifested as distraction, irritability and emotional instability. [2] At the same time, the signs brought about by (friction) mania are just the tip of the iceberg of bipolarity. What people will experience more is that after a manic or (hyper) manic attack, they fall into a depression attack, and their emotions fluctuate from one extreme to another. [3]

Compiled based on WHO public information

What social media won't promote is that, except for the repeated jumps in symptoms, this is the highest risk of suicide among all mental illnesses. [4]

According to the study of 12 mental disorders in 204 countries and regions published by the Lancet in 2022, in 2019, the global incidence of bipolar disorder was 489.8 per 100,000 people, about 1 in every 150 adults, with the number of patients reaching 40 million, accounting for 0.53% of the global population. [5]

It is estimated that the risk of suicide attempts in bipolar disorder type I patients has an annual risk of approximately 15%, significantly higher than that of major depression (MDD), while the risk of lifelong suicide attempts is 33.9%.

In other words, about one-third of patients with bipolar type I have tried suicide at least once in their lifetime. In addition, 0.4 to 0.9% of patients with bipolar type I commit suicide every year, and about 15 to 20% die from suicide, which means that about one-fifth of patients with bipolar type I commit suicide in the end. [4]

Source: References [4]

Biphasic, should not be overly beautified

Looking back at the discussion of bipolarity on social platforms, it starts with eliminating the stigma of mental illness. [6]

However, compared with traditional media that are accustomed to demonizing patients with mental illness, social media in the new era depicts mental illness as "aesthetic symbols" with beautification colors in specific audience groups through the packaging of "creating mystery". [7]

Therefore, there are many remarks that regard bipolar disorder as a "genius disease", and believe that it is because of the "traits" brought by mental illness that make me stand out: "After becoming a normal person, I have no good inspiration to support me in continuing to love this job."

But the real dilemma faced by patients has been ignored.

For example, you cannot complete ordinary conversations and cannot read sentences in books; for example, you cannot have a normal life and can only be forced to "take a break from school"; for example, if you have medicine to control symptoms, the lifelong prevalence is about 2%, and you need to reconcile with the disease throughout your life.

Image source: Social media screenshot

Pan Bing, deputy chief physician of the Department of Psychiatry of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, believes that calling bipolar disorder a "genius disease" can relieve the patient's sense of shame to a certain extent, but it is unscientific to attribute the symptoms of (hypo) manic attacks to "genius manifestations".

"(Fluctuation) mania is an uncontrollable state." Even if the patient feels that he is really energetic and clear-headed like a genius when he is (Fluctuation) mania, "However, generally accompanied by social function damage may also turn into depression, and you still need to be vigilant."

We need to say with certainty that bipolar disorder can be cured. But we have to admit that the real-world medical data are not optimistic.

Bipolar disorder is one of the main causes of disability worldwide, but worldwide, the treatment coverage rate of bipolar disorder patients is low and patients are often misdiagnosed. [3]

What we need is not the "text beautification" of the disease, but the correct "symptom recognition"; it is not only "self-comfort", but "time medical treatment" after identification.

After all, it is an indisputable fact that geniuses such as Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Hemingway, and the poet Haizi suffer from bipolar disorder, and their inspiration may burst into the state of certain diseases. But their talents and abilities do not necessarily come from this.

In life, if the following situations occur at the same time, we recommend that you seek medical treatment in time:

In terms of emotions, temper, speech, behavior, etc., there have been obvious abnormal changes with the consistent state, such as emotional ups and emotional ups and changes in speech and behavior consistent with emotions;

The duration is long, as short as a few days to several weeks, and even obvious impulsive attacks on suicide speech/behaviors due to emotional influence, resulting in obvious damage to the daily work, life and study of individuals and families.

Acknowledgements: This article was reviewed by Pan Bing, deputy chief physician of the Department of Psychiatry, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Ding Ruoshui, a master's degree in psychiatry and mental health at Suzhou University.

Planning: xiuxiu_chen｜Producer: islay

Title image source: Hot search screenshot