Using the term ” bipolar” colloquially can minimize and invalidate people who struggle with severe and persistent mental illness. Even people with manageable bipolar disorder are stigmatized by using the term ” bipolar” to describe things that are not related to the mental illness. 

Describing Volatile Moods: “She is so bipolar,” used to mean someone is moody, flighty, or changes their mind often.

Excusing Poor Behavior: “Sorry I went off on you, so bipolar of me,” is used as an excuse for being harsh or unreasonable.

Describing Inanimate Objects: “This weather is so bipolar,” is used to describe unpredictable changes.

Describing Contradictory Feelings: “I’m totally bipolar over this,” is used when someone cannot decide how they feel about something.

I have been guilty of using bipolar to describe the weather. But I have thought my moods controlled the weather at the same time. Which is part of my psychosis. Thankfully, my psychosis is controlled by my medications. 

I find it interesting that the diagnosis was changed from manic depressive to bipolar disorder in part due to the stigma of manic depressive. I wonder why the stigma followed the diagnosed name. I guess it gives more power to the phrase that is described as manic, depressive, or bipolar. Like how the word fuck can supercharge a phrase. 

To excuse small, poor behavior as bipolar is very stigmatizing because I can’t control myself when I’m in an episode. The poor regulation of your emotions is not the same as my manic episode. My brain is flooded with dopamine, and I am in psychosis. As much as I try to control my emotions and actions, I can’t.