The South Asian filmmaker, Rehana Mirza, received much acclaim for her debut film, Hiding Divya, which tackles the sensitive issue of mental illness, especially bipolar disorder. The film deals with the condition and the director hoped that through her movie, she could make people aware of the illness and the importance of treating it.

The issue of mental illness is quite taboo in our country but it does exist and should be addressed. The best way therefore, to be aware of a problem, is to first know what the problem actually is and then take the necessary steps to deal with it.
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder, is a psychiatric condition that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition and mood; with or without one or more depressive episodes in a way that interferes with regular day-to-day functioning. It is one of the most common, severe and persistent mental illnesses in which people suffer from periods of deep, prolonged and profound depression that alternates with periods of an excessively elevated and/or irritable mood known as mania.

The cause factor
Differences in people’s genetic make-up can make them more vulnerable to develop bipolar affective disorder. Stressful life events and experiences, illness or lack of support can also trigger individual episodes of the illness.
The symptoms
Symptoms can be divided into two categories; the symptoms of bipolar disorder as well as symptoms of mania. A person who is suffering from bipolar disorder will show the following signs:
w Feelings of sadness, helplessness and hopelessness that do not go away.
w Loss of interest in things that were once enjoyed.
w Indecisiveness and difficulty in concentrating.
w Change of appetite leading to weight loss or gain.
w Sleep disturbances.
w Fatigue and loss of energy.
w Excessive feelings of worthlessness or guilt and suicidal thoughts.
While the above are symptoms of bipolar disorder, you can also detect the condition in people by looking for sign of manic behaviour. Mania is generally characterised by a distinct period of an elevated, expansive, or irritable mood state. This may be accompanied by:
w Increased energy and over-activity.
w Unusual talkativeness or a pressure to keep talking.
w Reduced need for sleep.
w Racing thoughts or ideas.
w Loss of inhibitions that can lead to inappropriate and impulsive behaviour.
w Aggressive, intolerable or intrusive behaviour.
w In severe cases, patients may develop “psychotic” symptoms and get delusional and can even hallucinate.

How to beat it
Managing symptoms and preventing complications begins with a thorough knowledge of the illness, so educate yourself about it. Bipolar disorder can be treated and the process involves a combination of medication along with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy helps a person cope with difficult or uncomfortable feelings, it helps him or her repair strained relationships, it teaches the patients how to manage stress and regulate their mood.
By regulating your lifestyle, you can reduce symptoms and mood episodes to a minimum. All you have to do is maintain a regular sleep schedule, avoid alcohol and drugs, follow a consistent exercise programme and minimise stress.

The writer is a senior consultant psychiatrist in New Delhi.