In 2014, one of South Asia’s most popular and happening rap star, Honey Singh, whose sudden rise to fame was being observed with mixed emotions of awe and envy, suddenly vanished from the scene. Obviously, this gave birth to all kinds of rumors and contemplations, some spicy while others apprehensive, showing concern for the singer. It was not long after, that the real picture emerged in his own words: “I had cut myself off from everyone. I didn't come out of my room, forget stepping out of the house. I had a beard, and I didn't get a haircut for months. For someone who has performed in front of a crowd of 20,000, I was scared of facing 4-5 people. That's what bipolar disorder does to you,”
A cursory look around our social landscape can introduce us to many characters suffering from this malady called bipolar disorder, although they may either not be aware of it and when made to realize, may strongly refute its existence or better still, not understand its implications. There is no denying the fact that we, as a nation want to turn a blind eye towards issues we think are imported from the West even though these are deeply rooted in our social system. One wonders how easily we forget that the earth is inhabited by human beings sharing common characteristics regardless of where we are born and raised and irrespective of our ethnic origins. Our mental, physical and emotional strengths and weaknesses are the same wherever we may be on this planet. If one of our species has managed to discover an issue, we should at least examine it from the viewpoint of gaining knowledge in order to improve our own conditions.
Hafiz Farhan Shoukat, Department of Psychiatry, Nishtar Medical University, Multan, wrote a paper in which he discussed bipolar disorder in medical students the results of which were: “According to mood disorder questionnaire scoring, of the total 298 students, 80 (26.84%) screened positive for bipolar spectrum disorder (BSD). Among 80 students who screened positive for BSD, 43 (53.75%) are males while 37 (46.25%) are females. Students of age 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 years suffering from BSD were 5 (6.25%), 17 (21.25%), 23 (28.75), 22 (27.5%) and 13 (16.25%) respectively.” It may be mentioned that a questionnaire study was conducted on 298 students of Nishtar Medical University and Shaikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes abrupt mood swings—from depression, feelings of sadness, loss of interest in life’s pleasures to hypomania or extreme euphoria, energy rushes or unusual irritability. Timings of these swings are never consistent, and can occur frequently or occasionally. The problem with such patients does appear to be personal in nature, but in real terms this can have adverse implications in their relationships with their family, especially spouses, and friends. While couples may be forced to part ways, sometimes children too become alienated. Not that their love diminishes, but their patience to deal with bipolar patients can simply yield.
Alyssa Reyans, author of ‘Letters from a Bipolar Mother’ writes: "bipolar robs you of that which is you. It can take from you the very core of your being and replace it with something that is completely opposite of who and what you truly are. Because my bipolar went untreated for so long, I spent many years looking in the mirror and seeing a person I did not recognize or understand. Not only did bipolar rob me of my sanity, but it robbed me of my ability to see beyond the space it dictated me to look. I no longer could tell reality from fantasy, and I walked in a world no longer my own." Such is the emotional trauma a person may pass through in this state.
Like other mental ailments that are conveniently overlooked, bipolar disorder is also rarely spoken about or discussed in medical discourses or in the media. As a result, there is hardly any perception in our society regarding this illness, which in turn causes disturbance, rather disruption, in people’s lives that could be resolved by timely intervention. There may not be any specific cure as it is a lifelong condition but through behavior therapy and prescription bipolar medicines, most patients can lead normal, productive lives whilst controlling their mood. Serious episodes can be avoided with regular visits to the doctor and self-managing the problem. In the West, there are support groups for both patients and their family members that provide candid information for effective handling, treatment and coping with issues arising from bipolar cases within a family.
According to medical journals, bipolar disorder can be present in children and teenagers where it becomes difficult to diagnose because of routine mood swings associated with young age and adolescence, yet severe and frequent changes in emotional displays should be cause for concern provided that adults are consciously aware about this matter. The most alarming situation requiring immediate attention is when a person feels or shows suicidal tendencies, which is common among people with bipolar disorder. In essence, it is vital that programs should be conducted to spread information about bipolar disorder in order to help those who may be in need and who may get an opportunity to understand their own personality.
Sometimes, one has to go out of way to maintain social balances to enable people enjoy happy and productive lives as against constant emotional outbursts, mood swings and broken families. Whether one likes it or not, we cannot but admit that in Pakistan, there must be hundreds of thousands who are suffering from bipolar disorder for lack of substantial knowledge. Sweeping important troubles under the carpet is never a solution. Looking in the eyes of challenges is the only way out of irksome situations.