World Bipolar Day on March 30th aims to raise awareness of bipolar disorder, a serious mood disorder affecting an estimated 200 million people globally. Bipolar disorder causes extreme shifts in mood between elation and depression and impacts thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It is a chronic condition requiring lifelong treatment from a psychiatrist through medication and psychotherapy. While medication and lifestyle changes can help manage the condition, more awareness and support is still needed given bipolar disorder's debilitating effects, including increased risk of suicide and reduced life expectancy. Continued efforts are needed beyond World Bipolar Day to help those suffering from this condition and create real impact.

1. World Bipolar Day

2. World
Bipolar Day
2015

3. So what?
Why should I be
concerned?”

4. An estimated 200 Million
afflicted. Faceless, all of them.
Source: ScienceDaily.com

5. These are just numbers..
Why should
they matter to me?
“Bipolar disorder is responsible for the loss of
more disability-adjusted life-years than all
forms of cancer or major neurologic conditions
such as epilepsy and Alzheimer disease,
primarily because of its early onset and
chronicity across the life span”
Source: ScienceDaily.com

6. An estimated
10% of bipolars
succumb to
suicide.

7. Imagine the
economic
devastation that
families face.
Every job lost
steals a family of
its bread winner.

8. Half of the patients go untreated,
for many treatment is
unaffordable…

9. Life expectancy is
reduced by up to
12 years based
on a global
average.

10. Exactly! Despite this, bipolar and other
mental illnesses never get the same
attention in media as say,
heart disease or diabetes.
Then how is it that it
rarely gets discussed?

11. Okay, what is this
illness about?
Bipolar disorder, is a serious mood
disorder causing shifts between extreme
elation and deep depression. It affects
thoughts, feelings, perceptions and
behavior ... and even how a person feels
and behaves physically.

12. Is it easily
curable and how is
it treated?
Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition and
needs to be treated by a Psychiatrist.
Medication might consist of mood
stabilisers with anti depressants and anti
psychotics. Treatment is often needed over
a patient’s lifetime.

13. Are there any other
ways of treating this
condition? It does
sound quite serious..
Yoga, meditation, exercise and diet
alteration do help in the recovery process.
As of now however, these are not a
replacement for medication.
Psychotherapy and regular counseling
helps in preventing relapses.

14. Is awareness
of Bipolar Disorder
sufficient, considering
its debilitating effect?
Just as you were unaware of what it was,
very few know about it.
Awareness needs to be spread far and wide
and media can play a major role as can colleges
and institutions.
Companies too can chip in to support this
cause.

15. I feel sad
for their lot..
Wish I could help..
Everybody can help, in there own way.
Spread the word. Be alert- if you notice any
friend or colleague of yours behaving out of
character, you could be of help by bringing
it to someone’s notice.
If nothing, be empathetic to those sad or
disconnected. Show compassion.

16. 30th of MARCH, 2015 is
World Bipolar Day 2015
offers us an opportunity to highlight the
enormity of the problem.
An opportunity to..
..spread word about it.
..sit up and act.
..be of help to someone if you can.

17. Is that it?
Are we to forget all about Bipolar Disorder
after this day, as if it never existed?
Change unfolds over time and vigorous,
continuous effort, on a mass scale is required
to create real impact.

18. We, at Bipolar India,
have made a beginning in 2013.
Our community website now has a global footprint.
Let us join hands to make a difference.
www.bipolarindia.com Let’s Walk Together