It is the iconic artist, Van Gogh, whose birthday is celebrated worldwide as World Bipolar Day. It is also quite telling that Van Gogh, posthumously suspected to have struggled with Bipolar Disorder, lived a troubled life spent in poverty. The same artist whose work fetched millions in Art Auctions, went unacknowledged during his lifetime. His story is also perhaps the story of many who live with bipolar disorder. Of missed opportunities, unfulfilled potential, and being side-lined.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
It is a severe mood disorder that entails extreme swings of mood (bi-polarity), between depression and the elevated mood phases, that is hypomania and mania. It is a condition that can be managed with psychiatric treatment, often lifelong, psychotherapy and healthy selfcare routines. Is there a glimmer of hope? What’s life without hope? Or, one that is devoid of belief?
Much has changed in recent times, much of it for the better. Firstly, there is far greater mental health awareness today than in the pre-Internet era. Secondly, although stigma around mental illnesses remains, social media has been a game-changer. People openly sharing their stories of living with bipolar disorder (and other mental health conditions) is gradually making these conversations mainstream.
Thirdly, the glaring lack of awareness, lack of access to information, delayed diagnoses and treatment, just a few decades ago. Growing awareness, easily available information and most importantly, reduced shame around seeking professional help: all of these factors facilitate early intervention and improved outcomes as well.
My own story demonstrates this as dramatically as any data could. Onset of symptoms at age fourteen, diagnosis and treatment only at age forty. Let that sink in. The massive twenty-six-year gap made recovery to remission an even more uphill task. I consider myself blessed to be enjoying recovery despite these odds. As for stigma and stereotypes around Bipolar Disorder, I loved the gem from the recent Aamir Khan movie, Sitaare Zameen Par, which goes: ‘Sabka apna, apna normal hotaa hain.’
(Each one has his or her own ‘normal’)
Who defines what is normal?
Also, does being anything other than society’s definition of normal prevent a person from living a full life? Well, the systemic barriers that we still face around us still make it a mighty difficult journey for folks like me. That some people still do achieve significant success in careers, relationship and being respected figures in society is credit to their extraordinary effort to do so, not because society makes anything easier for them. Through history, there have been exceptionally talented artists, performers, authors, sports persons and even CEOs who have lived with bipolar disorder. A question that comes to my mind is, would they have been the iconic figures they were, or are, if not living with bipolar disorder? Could the very disorder that disrupts lives actually have facilitated their bursts of brilliance?
We have abundant stories of such achievers in our community, many of them who took the stage at our World Bipolar Day National Conference in Mumbai on the 28th of March, 2026.
The day that the Bipolar India community converges from all over India to celebrate itself. Incidentally, a Researcher, who came in from Indore, reflected that one thing that stood out for her from her experience of being there was, kindness. I call it the triumph of the human spirit. I must question society, our systems and policy makers, though. Could you do your bit to make our struggles less heroic and our paths easier to walk upon, with the dignity each and every human being deserves?
I did not choose my disorder.
Could you, thoughtfully, choose to be compassionate, please? Could you be more than a passive supporter and choose to be our ally, an enabler in this journey?
We can make this world a better place.
Let’s walk together..
Vijay Nallawala is an Author and Founder of Bipolar India
Co-Founder and Managing Trustee of Mental Health Support Foundation, he channelised his decades of lived experience to build a thriving community pan-India.
He is on the Advisory Board of several NGOs, including the Kindness Practice Foundation, is on the Steering Council of the Indian Mental Health Alliance, and is Global Advisor to Billion Strong, a Global Disability empowerment movement.
Featured image credit- https://hscnews.usc.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_1346328125.jpg
