The simple answer is No! Bipolar mental disorder can never be cured. It can never be healed and it will never go away, if you have it. Bipolar mood disorder is a lifelong mental illness. It can only be managed by way of administering mood stabilizing drugs. The drugs helps the patient to not experience the extreme mood swings or to have them a little less often in order for their lives to be a little more in control and a little more bearable. Many people have asked me if bipolar can ever be cured. To find the answer to this question, we must look at where the mental illness comes from.
Bipolar mood disorder is in the genes. It is hereditary. You either have it from birth or you don’t. There is a higher chance of being bipolar positive if one of your patients already has the disorder. In fact, as per the Karger journal published in January, 2016, bipolar has an estimated heritability of 60 – 93%. That is very HIGH! I like to read on and research about bipolar mood disorder. Since my diagnosis with bipolar in May 2016, I have made it my responsibility to learn more about the mental illness. I have read as much as I can and I ask my psychiatrist and psychologist about any question that may arise, regarding the condition.
As per my psychologist, Dr Morongwe Mohapi, this illness is a classic case of an apple not falling too far off from the tree. In fact, in my very first sit down with her, she asked me about my parents and their tempers. I minced no words in telling her that I am an offspring of the devil incarnate. I even have scars on my back to prove it. She did not have to prompt me to show them to her. I did the same with my psychiatrist, Dr Nefufandani. It was only after about the third appointment that she reminded me of what I had said and done on the first day. I was mortified. She said not to worry as this is the case with almost all her patients. To say that my parents and I are not the best of friends would be an understatement of all times! That is if they are still alive. I really do not know or care.
All that I know and care about is enough. I know that I am living with a mental condition called bipolar mood swings disorder. I know that I was born with it. I am aware that it will never be cured or go away and I am committed to managing the mental illness by way of taking my meds and reaching out to those who are trained to better understand and treat me. I do not tell people that I am suffering with bipolar mental disorder. I prefer to say that I am living positively with a mental condition that sways my moods up and down, I am managing the condition with meds and all I ask is that I be loved and accepted just as I am, because I will never be cured.
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