Bipolar Disorder
19x19in, quilter’s cotton (machine-pieced) & hand-quilted (pearle cotton/floss), created in 2023, NFS
This quilt is meant to represent Bipolar Disorder. Formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression, it is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. These shifts can make it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks. There are three types of bipolar disorder. All three types range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, irritable, or energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very “down,” sad, indifferent, or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes. *This is not to be confused with Borderline Personality Disorder or Intermittent Explosive Disorder.
What to look for: The improvisationally pieced nature and colors of this mini quilt are meant to represent the elation and erratic nature of mania as well as the darkness of depression. A semblance of a butterfly in the middle is representative of the transformation of identity through this lived experience as well as a symbol of hope. Those living with bipolar-type symptoms may not even realize that their ups and downs are an issue until it exacerbates into severe, often fatal, experiences.
Book recommendation(s): These books are not meant to replace medical intervention and/or skilled therapy.
An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness https://a.co/d/74AWcO9
Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for You and Your Loved Ones https://a.co/d/9QMDFrg
From NIMH (National Institute for Mental Health):
Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. These shifts can make it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks.
There are three types of bipolar disorder. All three types involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, irritable, or energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very “down,” sad, indifferent, or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.
People with bipolar disorder experience periods of unusually intense emotion and changes in sleep patterns and activity levels, and engage in behaviors that are out of character for them—often without recognizing their likely harmful or undesirable effects. These distinct periods are called mood episodes. Mood episodes are very different from the person’s usual moods and behaviors. During an episode, the symptoms last every day for most of the day. Episodes may also last for longer periods, such as several days or weeks.
Resources:
Click here for a short video explaining Bipolar Disorder.
Click here for a short 16min video clip by Ellen Forney on her personal journey through Bipolar.
A memoir (personal account) of someone with Bipolar and whom is also a medical provider: "An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness" by Kay Redfield Jamison.
Learn more about this diagnosis at the National Institute for Mental Health.