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  1. About bipolar disorder
  2. Pendulum: stories and information
  3. What is bipolar?

What is bipolar?

Back to Pendulum blog homepage

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified by some psychiatrists as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 with different balances of mood states. So people's experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession - this is called rapid cycling.

Read some personal stories below

Navigating an industry in which it pays to be manic

Navigating an industry in which it pays to be manic

In this blog Daniel Evans explains that one of the main frustrations of having an illness such as bipolar disorder Type 1 is that, when particularly severe, a critical symptom is that you don’t feel like you have it. Read more

Posted to: What is bipolar?

Back to Pendulum blog homepage

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified by some psychiatrists as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 with different balances of mood states. So people's experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession - this is called rapid cycling.

Read some personal stories below

Published: 9th April, 2021

Updated: 10th April, 2021

Anxiety and bipolar: facebook live

Anxiety and bipolar: facebook live

On Fridays we host facebook live sessions on topics related to bipolar. This week Simon examines the link between anxiety and bipolar Read more

Posted to: What is bipolar?

Back to Pendulum blog homepage

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified by some psychiatrists as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 with different balances of mood states. So people's experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession - this is called rapid cycling.

Read some personal stories below

Published: 12th March, 2021

Updated: 1st April, 2021

Let’s Talk About Mental Health

Let’s Talk About Mental Health

Alexandra writes that we need to normalise conversations around bipolar disorder, put simply we need to talk about mental health. Read more

Posted to: What is bipolar?

Back to Pendulum blog homepage

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified by some psychiatrists as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 with different balances of mood states. So people's experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession - this is called rapid cycling.

Read some personal stories below

Published: 1st March, 2021

Updated: 10th March, 2021

Psychosis: facebook live

Psychosis: facebook live

On Fridays we host facebook live sessions on topics related to bipolar. This week Simon talks about psychosis Read more

Posted to: What is bipolar?

Back to Pendulum blog homepage

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified by some psychiatrists as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 with different balances of mood states. So people's experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession - this is called rapid cycling.

Read some personal stories below

Published: 28th February, 2021

Updated: 3rd March, 2021

Different types of bipolar: facebook live

Different types of bipolar: facebook live

On Fridays we host facebook live sessions on topics related to bipolar. This week Simon explains the different types of bipolar Read more

Posted to: What is bipolar?

Back to Pendulum blog homepage

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified by some psychiatrists as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 with different balances of mood states. So people's experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession - this is called rapid cycling.

Read some personal stories below

Published: 16th February, 2021

Updated: 2nd April, 2021

Bipolar and rapid cycling: facebook live

Bipolar and rapid cycling: facebook live

On Fridays we host facebook live sessions on topics related to bipolar. This week April talks about rapid cycling Read more

Posted to: What is bipolar?

Back to Pendulum blog homepage

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified by some psychiatrists as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 with different balances of mood states. So people's experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession - this is called rapid cycling.

Read some personal stories below

Published: 4th December, 2020

Updated: 2nd April, 2021

Winning the War with Bipolar

Winning the War with Bipolar

Sam has a diagnosis of bipolar I. Here he shares his experience of bipolar disorder the effect it has on his life, functionality and the lessons he learned that will help others too. Read more

Posted to: What is bipolar?

Back to Pendulum blog homepage

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified by some psychiatrists as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 with different balances of mood states. So people's experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession - this is called rapid cycling.

Read some personal stories below

Published: 26th November, 2020

Updated: 24th December, 2020

Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder 2

Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder 2

Lizzie describes in candid detail the emotions, thoughts, and issues she dealt with after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and the signs that led up to her seeking help. Read more

Posted to: What is bipolar?

Back to Pendulum blog homepage

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified by some psychiatrists as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 with different balances of mood states. So people's experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession - this is called rapid cycling.

Read some personal stories below

Published: 25th November, 2020

Updated: 10th February, 2021

I think I might have bipolar: facebook live

I think I might have bipolar: facebook live

On Fridays we host facebook live sessions on topics related to bipolar. This week April considers "I think I might have bipolar" Read more

Posted to: What is bipolar?

Back to Pendulum blog homepage

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified by some psychiatrists as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 with different balances of mood states. So people's experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession - this is called rapid cycling.

Read some personal stories below

Published: 20th November, 2020

Updated: 16th February, 2021

The mysterious world of psychosis

The mysterious world of psychosis

Lynn explores what can take a person from living a happy, fulfilled life, to the bottom dropping out of their world into a confusing world of psychosis. Read more

Posted to: What is bipolar?

Back to Pendulum blog homepage

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified by some psychiatrists as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 with different balances of mood states. So people's experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession - this is called rapid cycling.

Read some personal stories below

Published: 27th October, 2020

Updated: 24th December, 2020

What having bipolar means for me

What having bipolar means for me

Bipolar UK supporter Rose shares her experience of managing bipolar and anxiety Read more

Posted to: What is bipolar?

Back to Pendulum blog homepage

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified by some psychiatrists as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 with different balances of mood states. So people's experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession - this is called rapid cycling.

Read some personal stories below

Published: 21st October, 2020

Updated: 10th April, 2021

Author: Rebekah Hayes

Being diagnosed as bipolar 1

Being diagnosed as bipolar 1

Recently at Bipolar UK we held a support group for young people, and it got Louise thinking about her own diagnosis of bipolar 1 at 17. Read more

Posted to: What is bipolar?

Back to Pendulum blog homepage

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified by some psychiatrists as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 with different balances of mood states. So people's experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession - this is called rapid cycling.

Read some personal stories below

Published: 19th October, 2020

Updated: 24th December, 2020

Top 10 tips for dealing with anger

Top 10 tips for dealing with anger

Dealing with anger is a tricky aspect of bipolar disorder to navigate. We have a number of tips that will help. We hope they help. Read more

Posted to: What is bipolar?

Back to Pendulum blog homepage

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified by some psychiatrists as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 with different balances of mood states. So people's experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession - this is called rapid cycling.

Read some personal stories below

Published: 9th October, 2020

Updated: 24th December, 2020

Diving suit of depression

Diving suit of depression

In a descriptive and very immersive collection of scenarios Gordon delves into what it’s like living with bipolar, interacting with others and the inspiration that keeps his head above water. Read more

Posted to: What is bipolar?

Back to Pendulum blog homepage

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified by some psychiatrists as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 with different balances of mood states. So people's experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession - this is called rapid cycling.

Read some personal stories below

Published: 8th October, 2020

Updated: 24th December, 2020

Bipolar my Superpower

Bipolar my Superpower

Not everyone would like to think of bipolar as a superpower...I DO! Read more

Posted to: What is bipolar?

Back to Pendulum blog homepage

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified by some psychiatrists as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 with different balances of mood states. So people's experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession - this is called rapid cycling.

Read some personal stories below

Published: 6th October, 2020

Updated: 24th December, 2020

Author: Ellie Barlow

My mate bipolar

My mate bipolar

Ash reflects on what she has learned so far managing his bipolar disorder. Read more

Posted to: What is bipolar?

Back to Pendulum blog homepage

Bipolar disorder is identified by two mood states: depression and mania. There is also hypomania, a milder form of mania and cyclothymia, a condition related to bipolar with milder symptoms. 

Bipolar is classified by some psychiatrists as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 with different balances of mood states. So people's experience of bipolar can differ with some alternating between moods over long intervals whilst others may experience mood swings in quick succession - this is called rapid cycling.

Read some personal stories below

Published: 15th September, 2020

Updated: 24th December, 2020

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Showing 10 of 33

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    Kundalini yoga - self-management class

    Learn the techniques of Kundalini yoga for gentle exercise and relaxation

  • Navigating an industry in which it pays to be manic

    Navigating an industry in which it pays to be manic

    In this blog Daniel Evans explains that one of the main frustrations of having an illness such as bipolar disorder Type 1 is that, when particularly severe, a critical symptom is that you don’t feel like you have it.

  • Discovery

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    In this his second blog for Bipolar UK Nicky Chinn details how self care is paramount in his ability to live with bipolar disorder.

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  • Bipolar UK Mood Scale

    Bipolar UK Mood Scale

    Our Mood Scale can help you to describe your moods.Use it with our Mood Diary to help keep track of your moods.

  • How do I know if I have bipolar?

  • Is there a medical test for bipolar?

  • Is there a cause or cure for bipolar?

  • Join our eCommunity

    Join our eCommunity

    Our eCommunity is an anonymous and supportive online forum for anyone affected by bipolar and for this who think they may have bipolar.

  • Could mood swings mean bipolar?

    Could mood swings mean bipolar?

    An introduction to bipolar and how monitoring your moods and behaviour can help

  • Speak to our Peer Support Line

    Speak to our Peer Support Line

    Free support and information about bipolar from someone also affected by bipolar through our Peer Support Line.

  • If I experience mood swings does that mean I have bipolar?

  • What is rapid cycling?

  • What is bipolar?

    The symptoms of the different types of bipolar

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