Topic Tuesday // World Bipolar Day with Bipolar Australia // Tues 29th March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Hi there SANE Forums Community, we are less than a week away from our discussion with Bipolar Australia!

I thought I might tag those who have been involved in our Let`s talk about Bipolar discussion and those who have been chatting on the Lived Experience and Carers Forums!

This discussion is open to both forums, and we hope to see you there for our live event on Tuesday 29th March from 7-8:30pm AEDT (Syd, Melb time).

@eth @Bunniekins @Sophie1 @frog @Strivetothrive @Meowmy @Olga @Nance @HenryX @citttycat @Appleblossom @Dimity @Klutz @SJT63 @bipolarbunny @ineedsupport @Herewegoround @Shaz51

Good Evening Everyone!

I am tagging all those who have supported the World Bipolar Day post to remind you of this evening's Topic Tuesday.

We will begin in 30mins (7pm AEDT).

@Learning18 @Blue_moon @Tryasimight @Quilly @Shaz51 @HenryX @Boo13 @Bunniekins @Meowmy @Olga

See you all soon!

Good Evening @MDT @Jacques @Scream58 @Snowie @StuF !

Just tagging you to let you know that we will soon begin our Topic Tuesday (World Bipolar Day).

Looking forward to seeing you there if this is of interest to you,

tyme

Good evening everyone, we're about to start our Topic Tuesday for World Bipolar Day in 5 minutes!

As everyone rolls in, I'd like to introduce @Moodwisehub and @SusanaBA from Bipolar Australia, our special guests 😊

To start off tonight,

Question 1: What is Bipolar and what does the recovery journey look like?

@Moodwisehub @SusanaBA

Thank you for having us @cloudcore. We are very grateful to be here.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is the name given to a group of neurological disorders that can cause mild to extreme fluctuations in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness, but long-term, ongoing treatment can help control symptoms and enable the person to live a healthy life. People living with this condition experience mood swings that range between low moods (depression) to high moods (mania or hypomania).

Everyone to some degree experiences changes in their mood, but the mood changes in bipolar disorder are more extreme. Extreme mood changes are called episodes, and these can often last for several weeks or months. In between episodes people living with bipolar disorder can lead full and productive lives.

The experience of bipolar disorder is different for each person. Some people can have more serious mood episodes than others. An estimate of around 1-2.5% of Australians has bipolar disorder. The onset of BD tends to occur around age 18–20, with about 50% of patients having their first episode before this age.

I am trying to join but can't find it. 😞 really disappointed...

Hi @Olga , you've found your way here! It's happening on this thread, all you need to do is refresh to see the questions/responses. You're more than welcome share your own responses too 😊

And welcome @Jacques 💛

Hey @BlueBay @Bow @Dasha @Determined @Hopeforme @HungryHippo @Joonbug @Oaktree @MollyMalone @TAB !

Good evening! We're over here if you'd like to join tonight's Topic Tuesday! We have our special guests from Bipolar Australia with us tonight.

Just to add to this @cloudcore

There is typically a delay of diagnosis of about 10 years and people usually seek out help from health professionals with symptoms of depression. Hypomania and mania are often not seen as problems as they can be associated with positive experiences.

First episodes of mania or hypomania often occur during the 20s, however people can develop bipolar disorder at any age. Major life events and stressful situations are associated with subsequent mood swings and can be the precursor to a mood episode. Stress is one of the most common triggers for people with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder requires lifetime management, but it is also highly treatable. With the right treatments, lifestyle changes, talk therapy, medication, and support from friends and family, many people with the condition can live with minimal impact on their daily functioning.