Bipolar Disorder Therapy :: Industry Therapist Rebecca Roy, M.A., MFT

Beverly Hills Bipolar Theapy

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder, formerly called manic depressive disorder, is a mood disorder that affects many people in the Entertainment Industry.

Bipolar is a disorder in which people swing from moods of mania, or elevated expansiveness, to depression. It is the classic “roller coaster ride” of moods and causes shifts in a person’s mood, energy and ability to function. This disorder is different than the normal ups and downs and is more severe, leading to problems in jobs, relationships and sometimes thoughts of suicide. There are often periods of normal mood between the ups and downs. Many people chalk this up to “artists being artists or creative people being creative people.” Sometimes, these people get misdiagnosed as substance abusers and the underlying disorder of bipolar gets missed.

Bipolar is common among Industry people because the nature of the disorder mirrors the dramatic highs and lows of the Industry itself. So, people with Bipolar actually fit in very well. There is also research that those with creative minds are particularly prone to this disorder. Because the age of onset of this disorder is generally young – late teens and early 20’s is typical - out-of-control behavior often gets dismissed as “party” behavior when in the manic phase. In an Industry that thrives on edgy behavior, people with this disorder can go without help for years. Unfortunately, the disorder will progress, sometimes with disastrous results.

Indeed, in the go-go world of the Industry, most people around those with bipolar probably make little note that something is wrong. But the person suffering is very aware they don’t feel well. Relationship after relationship end badly, they have trouble concentrating, or they become highly anxious and then perhaps self-medicate with drugs and alcohol to try and even out their moods.

But bipolar can be successfully treated. You won’t lose your edge. You’ll be happier and healthier. You can preserve your creative spirit in a healthy way and maintain your life and career. Life doesn’t have to be a roller coaster to be successful in the Industry.

Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:
• Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
• Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
• Extreme irritability
• Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
• Distractibility, can't concentrate well
• Little sleep needed
• Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
• Poor judgment
• Spending sprees
• A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
• Increased sexual drive
• Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
• Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
• Denial that anything is wrong

Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include:
• Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
• Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Restlessness or irritability
• Sleeping too much, or can't sleep
• Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
• Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

A depressive episode is diagnosed if five or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of 2 weeks or longer.
A mild to moderate level of mania is called hypomania. Hypomania may feel good to the person who experiences it and may even be associated with good functioning and enhanced productivity. Thus even when family and friends learn to recognize the mood swings as possible bipolar disorder, the person may deny that anything is wrong. Without proper treatment, however, hypomania can become severe mania in some people or can switch into depression.

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