There are many famous people with bipolar disorder. Some, you might be surprised and others you already knew about because they are very vocal on mental illness. Selena Gomez, Vincent Van Goah, Winston Churchill and Stephen Fry to name a few. Also, I will be talking about the difference between unipolar and bipolar and seasonal bipolar. Additionally, I will discuss stimulants and how they affect bipolar disorder. Lastly, I will talk about the silver linings playbook for bipolar. Buckle your seatbelts and let’s go for a ride!

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez, the American singer, actress, and producer, has been open about her mental health struggles, including her diagnosis of bipolar disorder. In April 2020, Gomez revealed in an interview that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had been receiving treatment for it.

Gomez has said that her diagnosis was a relief because it helped her to understand why she felt the way she did at times. She has also used her platform to raise awareness about mental health and to encourage others to seek help when needed.

In addition to her advocacy work around mental health awareness, Gomez has also spoken about her own experiences with anxiety and depression. She has been open about taking medication and seeking therapy to manage these conditions.

By speaking openly about her own struggles, Selena Gomez has helped to reduce the stigma and increase awareness around mental health, and has become an important advocate for mental health support and resources.

Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch artist who is considered one of the most important figures in the history of Western art. His paintings are famous for their vivid colors, bold brush strokes, and emotional intensity. Van Gogh also struggled with mental illness throughout his life, and many experts believe he likely had bipolar disorder.

Van Gogh’s life was marked by periods of intense creativity and productivity, followed by periods of depression and despair. During his most productive phases, he created masterpieces such as “Starry Night,” “The Potato Eaters,” and “Irises.” But during his depressive phases, he often struggled to create anything at all.

Van Gogh’s mental health struggles are evident in his personal correspondence, where he described his intense emotional states and struggles with suicidal thoughts. He was hospitalized several times and received various treatments, including electroconvulsive therapy.

Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is speculated to have had bipolar disorder, although he was never officially diagnosed during his lifetime. Churchill struggled with bouts of depression and manic behavior throughout his life which has led some experts to believe he may have had bipolar disorder.

Churchill referred to his depressive episodes as his “black dog” and they were characterized by symptoms such as lethargy, pessimism, and difficulty with decision-making. Conversely, he also displayed signs of hypomania, which included high energy, an inflated sense of confidence, and rapid speech.

It is believed that Churchill’s high-stress lifestyle, which included leading the UK through World War II, may have exacerbated his symptoms. However, Churchill was able to use his periods of high energy to accomplish significant tasks, including giving inspiring speeches and leading the country through war.

Despite his possible bipolar disorder, Churchill’s accomplishments as Prime Minister are widely recognized, and he is often cited as one of the 20th century’s most important political figures.

Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry is an English comedian, actor, writer, presenter, and activist, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Fry has frequently spoken about his experiences with the disorder, and has used his platform to raise awareness about mental health and combat the stigma surrounding bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses.

Fry’s symptoms of bipolar disorder have included depression, mania, and hypomania. He has described his manic episodes as being characterized by a heightened sense of confidence, creativity, and energy, but also by impulsivity and disordered thinking. Fry has also discussed his experiences with suicidal thoughts and attempts, including a particularly severe episode in 2012.

Despite his struggles with bipolar disorder, Fry has had a successful career as a performer and writer, and has been an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness and support. He has written and presented several documentaries on mental health topics, including a documentary on his own experiences with bipolar disorder, called “The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive.”

Unipolar And Bipolar Depression

Unipolar and bipolar disorders are both types of mood disorders that are characterized by changes in mood, energy levels, and behavior. However, there are some key differences and similarities between the two disorders.

Differences:

Mania or Hypomania: The main difference between unipolar and bipolar disorders is the presence or absence of a manic or hypomanic episode. Bipolar disorder is defined by the presence of at least one episode of mania or hypomania in addition to one or more episodes of depression. Unipolar disorder, on the other hand, involves only episodes of depression without any instances of mania or hypomania.

Severity: Bipolar disorder is typically considered to be more severe than unipolar disorder due to the presence of manic or hypomanic episodes. These episodes can be distressing and disruptive, and can lead to a variety of negative outcomes, including relationship problems, work difficulties, and even hospitalization.

Patterns of Episodes: People with bipolar disorder usually experience cyclical patterns of mood episodes that alternate between depressive and manic/hypomanic episodes. In unipolar disorder, there is no such cyclical pattern and episodes of depression may occur sporadically.

Similarities:

Mood Symptoms: Both unipolar and bipolar disorders involve significant changes in mood. In both disorders, people experience episodes of depression, which are characterized by low mood, fatigue, and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities.

Risk Factors: Certain factors such as genetics, early life trauma, and chronic stress, as well as certain personality traits such as neuroticism, are associated with the development of both unipolar and bipolar disorders.

Treatment: Both unipolar and bipolar disorders are treated using a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. However, the specific types of treatment used may differ slightly depending on the type of disorder and the severity of the individual’s symptoms.

Seasonal Bipolar

Seasonal bipolar, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a type of bipolar disorder that is characterized by changes in mood and behavior that are linked to the changing seasons. SAD typically begins during fall or winter and lasts until spring or early summer.

People with seasonal bipolar disorder experience symptoms of depression during the fall and winter months, which may include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, low mood, and changes in appetite and sleeping patterns. These symptoms can be severe and may interfere with daily functioning.

In rare cases, some people with seasonal bipolar disorder may also experience symptoms of mania or hypomania during the spring or summer months. During these periods, they may feel elevated mood, increased energy, and decreased need for sleep. These symptoms can cause problems with judgment, relationships, and work or school performance.

Stimulants And Bipolar Disorder

Stimulants are medications that increase energy, alertness, and attention. They are commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. However, the use of stimulants in people with bipolar disorder is controversial and can be risky.

Since bipolar disorder involves changes in mood, energy, and behavior, stimulants can potentially worsen the symptoms of mania or hypomania in people with bipolar disorder. This is because stimulants can increase energy levels and lead to a feeling of elevated mood, which can trigger manic or hypomanic episodes.

In addition, stimulants have been found to increase the risk of rapid cycling in people with bipolar disorder. Rapid cycling is a pattern of frequent mood swings, with four or more episodes of depression and/or mania in a single year, and can be difficult to manage and treat.

Silver Linings Playbook Bipolar

The Silver Linings Playbook is a movie that portrays a character named Pat Solitano, Jr., who has bipolar disorder. The character is played by Bradley Cooper,

In the movie, Pat has just been released from a mental health facility and is struggling to rebuild his life and relationships with his family and friends. He meets another character, Tiffany (played by Jennifer Lawrence), who is also struggling with mental health issues, and they form a relationship.

Throughout the movie, Pat experiences episodes of mania and depression, which are common symptoms of bipolar disorder. He struggles to manage his mood swings and impulsivity, but gradually gains insight into his condition and learns how to regulate his emotions.

Conclusion

It’s very hard to control your emotions when you suffer from bipolar disorder. When I was in my early twenties was when I was diagnosed with bipolar. I was like Selena Gomez and found relief when I was diagnosed with bipolar. At last, I finally knew what I was dealing with and how to manage it with medication and therapy.

Articles

-What Are Bipolar Disorders?

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/bipolar-disorders/what-are-bipolar-disorders

-Symptoms – Bipolar Disorder

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms/

-Bipolar Disorder

https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Bipolar-Disorder

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy, One Voice – Unstoppable

“You’re not alone !”