The untimely demise of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput has brought in several contrasting information after his death. Recently, the actor’s psychologist and psychotherapist Susan Walker broke her silence. Walker in an interview with journalist Barkha Dutt revealed that Sushant was suffering from depression and bipolar disorder.
“Sushant was suffering from bipolar disorder, a severe mental illness that can be crippling for an individual during an episode. The symptoms of which can include severe anxiety, major depression, and sometimes disordered thinking and paranoia. The continuing, appalling stigma around mental illness makes it very difficult for patients and their families to reach out. This has to stop. Mental illness is no different than cancer or diabetes. It can affect anyone, regardless of class, financial status, and so on. In a way that cancer can,” Walker said.
Bipolar disorder, the mental illness is much talked about after the revelation of Susan Walker.
Here’s everything you need to know about the illness:
What is Bipolar Disorder?
According to experts, Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).
When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities. When your mood shifts to mania or hypomania (less extreme than mania), you may feel euphoric, full of energy, or unusually irritable. These mood swings can affect sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behavior, and the ability to think clearly.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), bipolar disorder affects over 10 million people in the United States or around 2.8% of the population.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder:
The National Institute of Mental Health describes the main symptoms of bipolar disorder as alternating episodes of high and low mood. Changes in energy levels, sleep patterns, ability to focus, and other features can dramatically impact a person’s behavior, work, relationships, and other aspects of life.
Mania Symptoms:
- Feeling unusually “high” and optimistic or extremely irritable
- Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers
- Sleeping very little, but feeling extremely energetic
- Talking so rapidly that others can’t keep up
- Racing thoughts; jumping quickly from one idea to the next
- Highly distractible, unable to concentrate
- Impaired judgment and impulsiveness
- Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences
- Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases).
Hypomania Symptoms:
- Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty
- Irritability
- Inability to experience pleasure
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Physical and mental sluggishness
- Appetite or weight changes
- Sleep problems
- Concentration and memory problems
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Causes of Bipolar Disorder:
Environmental Factors:
- extreme stress
- traumatic experiences
- physical illness
Genetics:
Bipolar disorder is more common in people who have a first-degree relative, such as a sibling or parent, with the condition. Researchers are trying to find genes that may be involved in causing bipolar disorder.
Brain Structure:
Your brain structure may impact your risk for the disease. Abnormalities in the structure or functions of your brain may increase your risk.
Treatment of Bipolar Disorder:
According to Medical News Today, treatment involves a combination of therapies, including:
- medication
- counseling
- physical intervention
- lifestyle remedies
It can take time to get a correct diagnosis and find a suitable treatment, as individuals react differently, and symptoms vary widely.
