Which one of the me's
is me?

Bipolar Disorder

This is Monroe. He's living with bipolar disorder.
Monroe knows that many people like to joke about being ‘bipolar’, but he wants you to know that it’s a very serious condition that may make life extremely difficult for those that suffer from the disorder.
He has summarized her experience for you below.

What it is:
A disorder which results in mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.
Key Manic Symptoms:
  • feeling very elated or "high"
  • difficulty sleeping
  • overconfidence in one's abilities
Key Depressive Symptoms:
  • feeling empty and hopeless
  • loss of interest in normal activities
  • severe fatigue or lack of energy
Learn more about how bipolar feels

what bipolar feels like

Bipolar disorder affects the mind and the body.
Hover over parts of Monroe's body to see what he’s experiencing.

bipolar character
mouth
[manic episode]: I talk much more than usual, and much more quickly.
stomach
my appetite keeps changing.
mind
[manic episode]: my thoughts are racing and I feel extraordinarily happy.
[depressive episode]: I feel tired and empty inside.
limbs
[manic episode]: I can't stop moving!
[depressive episode]: my limbs feel heavy. I don't want to move.
mouth: [manic episode]: I talk much more than usual, and much more quickly.
stomach: my appetite keeps changing.
mind: [manic episode]: my thoughts are racing and I feel extraordinarily happy. I can't sleep.
[depressive episode]: I feel tired and empty inside.
limbs: [manic episode]: I can't stop moving!
[depressive episode]: my limbs feel heavy. I don't want to move.
view all symptoms
Learn about what bipolar looks like in the brain

a look inside the bipolar brain

Monroe hates when people say that he just needs to "be strong" and "rise above" his disease because he knows bipolar disorder has real, physical effects on the brain. Hover over Monroe's brain to see how bipolar has influenced it.

brain
prefrontal cortex
This brain region has less volume in people with bipolar.
brain circuits
Abnormal functioning in brain connections like this one may be a cause of Monroe's mood swings.
hippocampus
Smaller than normal. Scientists aren't sure why this.
prefrontal cortex: This brain region has less volume in people with bipolar.
hippocampus: Smaller than normal. Scientists aren't sure why this.
brain circuits: Abnormal functioning in brain connections like this one may be a cause of Monroe's mood swings.
view all brain regions
Learn about bipolar in the real world
clickable downard arrow

real people. real struggles with bipolar.

Bipolar affects 5.7 million people in the US alone. Click through the carousel below to see real accounts of struggles with bipolar disorder.

2.6%
of the American adult population is living with bipolar disorder.
30%
of people with bipolar disorder attempt suicide at least once.
83%
of bipolar cases are classified as severe.
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