Expressions Of Exhaustion: 20 Bipolar Disorder Quotes

Bipolar disorder is estimated to affect almost 5.7 million American adults every year. And despite its prevalence, many people who experience bipolar disorder live in fear of others finding out their diagnosis due to its stigma. 

Because of this stigmatization, it's more important than ever to discuss the reality of bipolar disorder to provide accurate, reliable information on this condition. 

It's also helpful for those diagnosed with bipolar disorder to have support and valuable resources when needed. Online therapy, for example, makes it easier to connect with licensed professionals specializing in bipolar disorder. 

This article offers information about bipolar disorder, plus relatable quotes that might help some individuals feel less alone with their experiences. 

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder can manifest at almost any age, although a diagnosis of childhood bipolar disorder is rare. Often, bipolar disorder has a late onset and is identified in people in their mid-to-late twenties.

There are three different forms of bipolar disorder recognized by the DSM-5.

Bipolar I

Bipolar I is characterized by episodic mania often (but not always) followed by a depressive state. Diagnostic criteria for bipolar I indicate that only one manic episode is required for formal recognition provided it meets a requirement for length or severity.

Bipolar II

Bipolar II is a mood disorder that causes extreme emotional dysregulation. People with bipolar II swing between deep depressive states and episodes of hypomania. While this is often seen as a less severe form of bipolar disorder, it can be equally as dangerous as bipolar I for those who live with it.

Cyclothymia

Cyclothymia is characterized by chronic emotional instability lasting two or more years. Considered by many to be a milder form of bipolar disorder, people who experience cyclothymia may have more frequent but less intense mood swings. However, when left untreated, cyclothymia can slowly progress into bipolar I or bipolar II.

What causes bipolar disorder?

Though its causes are unclear, the latest research on bipolar disorder indicates that those with a family history of bipolar disorder or other depressive disorders may be more likely to develop this condition later in life. Further studies show that bipolar disorder can also develop when the brain is altered by stress, drug use, hormonal imbalances, and even environmental factors.

Words of wisdom on managing your bipolar disorder

People who experience bipolar disorder are often bombarded with opinions and advice about managing their condition. While these words of encouragement often come from well-intentioned friends, family, coworkers, and medical professionals, they may not provide insight into managing day-to-day life with bipolar disorder. 

Because of this, people who experience bipolar disorder can benefit from connecting with and hearing from others who know their struggles firsthand and can provide practical guidance.

You’re not alone: Quotes about bipolar disorder

Experiencing bipolar disorder is rarely easy. In addition, misinformation spread by the media often perpetuates the idea that people diagnosed with bipolar disorder are perpetually depressed or dangerous. And this misinformation can make it difficult for them to connect with their closest friends or family about what they're facing out of fear they may be misunderstood. 

If you're diagnosed with bipolar disorder, know that you are not alone; many people have stood in your shoes and weathered the daily challenges you're experiencing. 

You might find solace in reading these quotes about life with bipolar disorder. And for more support, consider subscribing to Bphope, a bipolar disorder-focused research and news magazine.

"The lows were absolutely horrible. It was like falling into a manhole and not being able to lift the lid and climb out." – Linda Hamilton

"Which of my feelings are real? Which of them is me? The wild, impulsive, chaotic, energetic, and crazy one? Or the shy, withdrawn, desperate...doomed, and tired one? Probably a bit of both, hopefully, much that is neither." – Kay Redfield Jamison

"Bipolar robs you of that which is you. It can take from you the very core of your being and replace it with something opposite of who and what you truly are." – Alyssa Reyans

"Even when I'm in a really great, steady, and stable place, I'm clinically bipolar, so that always exists… a darkness always exists." – Mary Lambert

"Though I am often in the depths of misery, there is still calmness, pure harmony, and music inside me. I see paintings or drawings in the poorest cottages, in the dirtiest corners. And my mind is driven towards these things with an irresistible momentum." - Vincent van Gogh

"So when I was 24, someone suggested to me that I was bipolar, and I thought that was ridiculous. I just thought he was trying to get out of treating me. But he was also responding to the chaotic nature of my life." – Carrie Fischer

"If you can imagine missing being sad, it's the only thing worse than pain." – Paul Dalio

"When you live with depression, anxiety, or any mental illness, you spend most of your time 'trying to explain' yourself over taking care of yourself." – Hannah Blum

The stigma of bipolar disorder: Quotes for shirking shame

Many people with bipolar disorder cope with their symptoms alone because they fear being stigmatized for their illness. These wise words from people who have bipolar disorder call out the double-standard society often has for those with mental illnesses and why these stigmas can be so damaging.

"This disease comes with a package: shame. When any other part of your body gets sick, you get sympathy." – Ruby Wax

"I don't think I'm fixed. People think you're like a car at the body shop. You go in, and they fix you, and then you're out, and you work like you're brand new. But it doesn't work like that, you know? It takes constant fixing." – Demi Lovato.

"I think it's really important to destigmatize mental illness in any form. I think many people are carrying around guilt and shame and baggage for shit that don't matter. Everybody is going through something, everybody has had something that they've had to overcome." – Mary Lambert

"One of the things that baffle me … is how there can be so much lingering stigma with regards to mental illness, specifically bipolar disorder. In my opinion, living with manic depression takes a tremendous amount of balls." – Carrie Fischer

"I am tired of hiding, tired of misspent and knotted energies, tired of the hypocrisy, and tired of acting as if I have something to hide." – Kay Redfield Jamison

Quotes about surviving and thriving with bipolar disorder

Many people diagnosed with bipolar disorder may feel that they are somehow broken or damaged, unable to succeed because of their diagnosis. Despite these feelings, individuals who experience bipolar disorder can often live happy, healthy, and wildly successful lives.

"If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it." – Jonathan Winter

"Don't just survive. Shine." – Tom Fletcher

"None of us are entirely well, and none of us are irrecoverably sick." – Mark Vonnegut

"I'm bipolar, but I'm not crazy, and I never was. I'm stark raving sane." – Emilie Autumn

"Bipolar Disorder can be a great teacher. It's a challenge, but it can set you up to do almost anything else in your life." – Carrie Fisher

"If you're going through hell, keep going." – Winston Churchill

Treatment for bipolar disorder

Everyone experiences bipolar disorder differently, and the best way to treat bipolar disorder is different for everyone. Because of this, there's no one tried-and-true treatment for bipolar disorder; instead, people diagnosed with bipolar disorder can choose treatment options that they believe will work best for them. 

Common treatment methods often include a combination of medication and talk therapy following diagnosis. 

Psychotherapy (talk therapy)

Therapy can be an effective treatment for individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Sessions can be as frequent as needed and may help those experiencing bipolar disorder learn to balance their emotions and actions. 

Several different forms of therapy have proven effective in helping people better manage their bipolar disorder. These include:

• Family-Focused Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Dialectic Behavioral Therapy
• Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy
• Group Psychoeducation

If you're considering therapy to treat your bipolar disorder but are unsure if you have the time or energy, online treatment might be a good choice. Online therapy is as effective as in-person treatment without the commute and limiting yourself to professionals within driving distance. 

Instead, online options allow you to connect with a broader range of specialists and sessions you can schedule anywhere, anytime. In addition, online counseling can provide a discreet way to seek treatment without facing the stigma of seeing a local therapist.

Takeaway 

Did you find any of these quotes helpful? If so, consider keeping them with you or saving them so you can reread them later. And if you're interested in therapy for bipolar disorder or to explore if you might be experiencing bipolar disorder, we're here to help. 

Our licensed mental health professionals at Regain are here to help. We'll connect you with a professional based on your needs and preferences, and you can schedule sessions based on what's best for you.