I remember being in an office once with a college student who was helping me with some paperwork. She played with her mouse for a bit, smacked her screen once or twice, and was becoming visibly frustrated with the technology. With a heavy sigh she looks up at me and says “Sorry, my computer is being bipolar.” Now, since you don’t know me very well, I must share with you how absolutely proud of myself I am for handling that moment. It would have been very easy to become defensive and angry at her lack of knowledge, respect, and professionalism. But, instead, I put on my teacher hat and asked her “Hmm, your computer can feel depressed and manic?” She had no idea how to respond.
Let’s see how much YOU know about the term!
What comes to mind when you hear the term bipolar? Do you automatically think methodically of the actual term? In that case, the generic term for bipolar from Oxford Languages is “having or relating to two poles or extremities”. Now, add the word “disorder” behind the term and what do you think? Better yet, what do you know about it? This question got the best of me for a really long time. Back before I was so self-aware, before I was proud to present my life in it’s entirety, the term bipolar was an absolute embarrassment and stigma starter.
And the worst part about it is that the worst shaming actually came from myself.
The term provided by Oxford is true in it’s meaning relating to the disorder as in I am capable of experiencing both manic and depressive state’s of mind. In our world it’s usually called a cycle. My body and brain connect to cycles of seasons, environmental changes, social changes, abrupt transitioning, and personal adversities. It does not mean I am incapable, or “wrong”, or need fixed or even am crazy (that term is a whole ‘nother post!) It means I am capable of experiencing extremely high moods and extremely low moods. Just like you, I can be sad but my sadness can become debilitating. Just like you I can be excited and happy, but that can turn into impulsive behaviors and thoughts that become exhausting.
Can you make the correlation here? Extreme sadness (depression) + extreme happiness (mania) = cycles of being up and being down.
Let’s bring it back to why I am sharing this term with you: YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT IT MEANS!
In a world that is constantly changing with human rights terminology, it’s difficult to keep up. But what I must share with you is that is it so very important to know how much YOUR language choices affect others. Calling people or inanimate objects bipolar is not acceptable. In fact it is hurtful. I know, I know you are probably saying “I don’t have time to look up endless terms and be conscious of my words at all times.” I am here to say “YES, yes you do have time to be a considerate human being.” I promise you. Taking a few moments in the morning , in the evening, even during your bathroom break, to educate yourself is not only making you a more well rounded person, you are also becoming an advocate for many groups of folks who need more support. Thank you for making it to the end of this post! I look forward to hearing from you how changing your language helped others…and even yourself.:)
Mood & Magic 