An illness that does not discriminate by culture, ethnicity, or faith

No matter what your ethnicity is, we are all human-beings and mental disorders are common. Individuals need to be more vocal if they feel like something is wrong. Bipolar syndrome can be diagnosed and the condition needs proper care with therapy.

Walking into a room, I see an old friend. She smiles and is extensively happy it seems like everything is okay.

Within seconds, her mood changes and she’s either really sad or extremely angry. Her mood-swings are hard to deal with that even if a person is close to her, loved ones naturally start distancing themselves.

Relationships stem from trust, loyalty, happiness and most importantly understanding your loved one. Sometimes, symptoms for abnormal behavior are often overlooked by others assuming a person is just, “moody.” When in reality, a close family member or friend needs help with bipolar syndrome.

Culturally, many individuals try not to speak about mental illnesses. The same silenced rule applies whether they are living in the United States or overseas. The stigma against neurotic disorders exacerbates the initial problem of staying silent. As a result, it can affect people’s relationships, daily activities and their future children.

Yasmeen Nagi a social worker from Apna Ghar in West Bloomfield comes from a similar background of staying silent about mental illnesses.

“Muslim families believe when you open up about having a disorder and try seeking help it brings shame to the family,” Nagi stated, LLMSW (Limited Licensing Masters in Social Work.) It’s mainly cultural and they worry about people talking bad about their family. Because of this people stay in silence.”

In the United States, more than 10 million individuals suffer from bipolar syndrome. It affects both men and women equally.

“Regardless of what culture and ethnicity they are from individuals will still be in denial about their family members needing assistance,” Nagi said. “A way to help with this is by going to local resource centers that will place you in help groups that people can share their stories. That way they know they are not alone.”

This disorder is known as a manic-depressive illness. It causes unusual shifts in mood and energy which affects a person’s daily activities.

According to National Institute of Mental health, there are four basic types of bipolar syndrome including Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, Cyclothymic Disorder, other specified and unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorders.

The most common bipolar disorder is type two. Individuals suffering from this are defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes. It’s not as severe as type one where people are hospitalized.

Without proper diagnosis and treatment, symptoms will become worse. As a result, severe depression can occur and result in toxic relationships. However, there is no cure for bipolar syndrome but psychoanalysis is used to help control its affects. Individuals start seeing symptoms around the ages of 15 and 25.

Therapy, exercise and diet can help with keeping mental and physical health in a positive condition. Doctors, if needed, can also prescribe medication to patients that need more than psychoanalysis.

A few organizations such as Insight Behavioral Health Centers and Bipolar Depression Support offer psychoanalysis and help groups. These support centers are judgment-free zones and want to help individuals dealing with the backlash of having bipolar syndrome.