Bipolar Disorder: the illness often mistaken for talent, success, or weakness

BIPOLAR DISORDER: THE ILLNESS OFTEN MISTAKEN FOR TALENT, SUCCESS, OR WEAKNESS

When we hear "bipolar disorder," many imagine a person who rapidly changes mood several times a day. Or they think bipolar disorder is just about emotionality. But in reality it's much more complicated.

Sometimes a person feels an incredible surge of energy for months, sleeps 3–4 hours, launches new projects, makes grand plans and seems incredibly energetic and productive to others. Then, after some time, they end up in a state where it's hard to get out of bed, interest in life disappears, a sense of guilt over past decisions appears — and it becomes unclear what is happening at all.

Where does a personality quirk end and an illness begin? Why can hypomania be mistaken for productivity and success, and depression for weakness? And why is a correct diagnosis sometimes made only years after the first symptoms?

In the lecture we'll cover:

• why bipolar disorder often goes unnoticed;
• how to distinguish ordinary mood swings from symptoms of the illness;
• why bipolar disorder is sometimes confused with depression, ADHD, or burnout;
• what modern treatment approaches help people with bipolar disorder live a full life.

No myths, stigma, or complicated terminology — we'll talk about how to recognize bipolar disorder and why it's important to seek professional help in time.

Lecturer: Kirill Prikhotkov — psychiatrist, psychotherapist, scientific consultant in psychopharmacology — https://t.me/Serbianpsychiatrist

Date and time

22 August (Saturday) at 5:00 PM

Location

Vojvode Dobrnjca 48, Belgrade https://maps.app.goo.gl/e9z8stFHUZdGM7u88