Is She a Bitch or Bipolar

The public's awareness of bipolar disorder (previously known as manic depressive disorder) has grown considerably in the past ten years. It was once considered a rare disorder but is now diagnosed with increasing frequency. Along with increased awareness of the disorder has come misunderstanding.

I have found that quickness to anger is often seen as a sign of bipolar disorder. When someone is frequently irritable they are suspected of having bipolar disorder. Couples that have frequent fights often claim that their partner has bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is not best characterized by anger although irritability can be an important symptom. Bipolar disorder is best characterized by mood swings. The mood may change rapidly or gradually. This change in mood can occur over just a few hours or over months.

On the "high" end, the individual has an elevated mood. His or her mood tends to be euphoric. He or she has unusual amounts of energy, impulsiveness, less need for sleep, is easily distracted, and has an inflated self-esteem. The person's euphoric mood is not just happy but can be dangerously unrealistic.

On the "low" end, the individual suffers from a depressed mood. Activity slows, sleep becomes a source of escape, concentrating takes greater effort, and self-esteem tanks. When down, individual will view themselves, the world, and others in a negative light.

Irritability occurs in bipolar disorder when the individual is euphoric or depressed. The euphoric individual becomes frustrated when others impede with their goals, schemes, or "cleaver" ideas. Other's effort to protect the euphoric person from harm is viewed as an irritant, not as help.

Irritability also accompanies the down side. Depression leads the individual to see everything negatively, which leads others to urge the person to be more positive, more active, and be more social. Irritability serves to push others away and removes help that is viewed as making an overwhelming demand.

Now when a husband claims his wife is bipolar, typically he is not describing this pattern of mood swings. Rather, he is saying, "She seems to get mad for no reason" or "She just can't let go of hurts that I have inflicted." Note that the irritability has an interpersonal context that the spouse is denying. Often, such anger can be soothed when the individual is offered the opportunity to share their feelings and know they are cared for. Lack of attention and caring leads to an escalation of anger and name calling.