Understanding Bipolar Disorder and Mental Health Conditions
Definition of bipolar disorder
Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness that, like other serious mental illnesses, can make it difficult to maintain relationships, consistently perform at work and, at times, to manage the general demands of day-to-day life. By better understanding bipolar disorder, and getting the right supports in place, people living with bipolar disorder can manage their condition and live their lives well.
Bipolar Australia explains that bipolar disorder is a serious lifelong mental health condition, formerly known as manic depression, which features pronounced mood swings. The periods of low mood are referred to as ‘depressive episodes’ and periods of high mood are referred to as ‘manic’ or ‘hypomanic’ episodes. The condition is characterised by recurrent cycling between these distinct and contrasting episodes.
Who does bipolar disorder affect?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that the condition affects 2.9% of Australians aged 16 and over, or 568,000 people.
Bipolar disorder can present at any age, although it often develops between the ages of 15 and 19. Men and women are equally likely to develop bipolar disorder.
According to the Australian Psychological Society, bipolar disorder can look quite different in different people. For some people, episodes can last for three to six months and occur every few years while others may experience shorter but more frequent episodes over the course of one year.
In this article we explain what bipolar disorder is, when it becomes a psychosocial disability eligible for the NDIS, and the supports that can help people with bipolar disorder to manage their condition and live their life well.
Impact of bipolar disorder on daily life and mental health
People living with Bipolar Disorder experience periods of major depression and periods of mania or hypomania.
There are four types of Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar 1, Bipolar 2, Cyclothymic Disorder (Bipolar 3), and Bipolar 4. Each type has distinct characteristics, including manic and depressive episodes.
Bipolar Disorder can significantly impact daily life, relationships, and overall mental health and well-being, however the right combination of therapies and medications can help manage the illness, reduce episodes of depression or mania, and improve function on a daily basis.
NDIS Eligibility and Funding for Psychosocial Disability
Is bipolar disorder covered by the NDIS?
A long-term disability resulting from a mental health condition, also known as a psychosocial disability, can be covered under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Some people with bipolar disorder will also have a psychosocial disability as a result of the condition, and this is when NDIS support may be available. A psychosocial disability is a persistent, enduring and complex mental health condition. It can severely impact a person’s day-to-day living – this is what makes it a disability.
In the same way as other disabilities can affect the way a person uses their body or brain, a psychosocial disability can impact a person’s function, which affects their ability to interact with others, their environment, perform tasks and learn new skills.
A psychosocial disability can prevent someone from
Getting a job
Accessing training
Joining in social activities
Getting or keeping a home
Achieving their goals
Symptoms and functions (how a psychosocial disability can impact a person’s ability to participate).
Psychosocial disabilities present differently in each person and because they are often invisible, they can be difficult for others to notice or understand. The stigma and discrimination associated with mental illnesses and psychosocial disabilities can be as debilitating as the condition itself.
The NDIS aims to provide better access to high-quality, personalised supports and services to enhance the independence and social and economic participation of people with disabilities.
What can NDIS fund for psychosocial disability support?
There isn’t a ‘cure,’ but with the right support in place, there is no reason why having bipolar disorder should stop you from achieving what you want in life. There is support available to help manage:
your day-to-day life
the symptoms of your condition.
The NDIS provides funding for reasonable and necessary support to assist individuals with psychological disorders to manage the functional impact of bipolar disorder on the person’s day-to-day life. This can include counselling and recovery coaching, where a qualified professional who understands bipolar disorder partners with you to organise your supports and work towards your goals. The focus here is on alleviating the impact of bipolar disorder on everyday life.
The NDIS doesn’t include medical treatment, which is focussed on treating the symptoms of your condition – this is funded under the health care system, or Medicare. This could include medication prescribed by a psychiatrist, and sometimes psychological therapies such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, family-focussed therapy, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy or psychoeducation. You can read more about these on the Australian Psychological Society’s bipolar disorder webpage.
NDIS Support Services for Mental Illness
As with other disabilities, there are treatments and supports that can help a person with a psychosocial disability to live a positive life that is not defined by a diagnosis.
The NDIS provides different types of supports, including
Professionals who can help you to overcome the barriers from your disability, so you can work towards your individual goals. This might include counselling or occupational therapy.
Support services including personal care, household tasks, travel and transport, garden maintenance, community participation, and development of life skills.
Support coordinators and recovery coaches to act as your go-to person, bringing together all your support services and ensuring everything is working for you.
How to access NDIS support for bipolar disorder
If your bipolar disorder has resulted in a psychosocial disability (or you think it might have), you could be eligible for the NDIS, which provides government funding to people with a disability to help them pay for the services and supports they need because of their disability. If your condition is permanent and affects your ability to do everyday things then the NDIS may help you to get the support you need.
Mental illnesses like bipolar disorder are considered a psychosocial disability if the mental illness is significant, and makes it difficult to do everyday tasks such as going shopping, looking after yourself or working. This is often the case with bipolar disorder, which makes it hard to consistently cope at work, home, school or socially. The illness can be ongoing or episodic but is likely to be with you for life.
Psychosocial disability is not about a diagnosis, it is about the effect it has on a person’s ability to live a normal life in the way they want to. If the bipolar disorder causes a functional impact and barriers to equality with others, this is when we might consider that the person has a psychosocial disability. You can have a psychosocial disability without a clinical diagnosis of your mental illness.
Community Connections and Resources for Mental Health
Building a support network of family, friends, and healthcare providers can be hugely beneficial in managing mental health and psychosocial disability.
This could be joining a sporting club, church, interest group, or doing a course to learn a new skill.
Getting involved with an advocacy group like Bipolar Australia will also connect you with other people living with the condition. Advocacy and awareness-raising efforts can help reduce stigma and promote greater understanding and acceptance of mental health and psychosocial disability.
More information about bipolar disorder
Bipolar Australia has heaps of online resources, including a bipolar dictionary to help explain the jargon, and recommendations on treatments for bipolar disorder.
Black Dog Institute has a series of webpages covering bipolar disorder symptoms, types, causes, treatment and available support.
The Bipolar Caregivers website contains a comprehensive encyclopaedia of bipolar related information
Next steps for seeking support and managing mental health
There is a range of different supports available for people living with bipolar, and even if it takes a while to find the right combination you – keep trying! With the right professionals and informal supports in place, you’ll be able to live the life you want.
Check out the online resources listed above, or get in touch with Bipolar Australia directly.
Get your supports in place, whether it’s a recovery coach, counsellor, OT, psychologist or psychiatrist, or a combination. To find the right people, you need to start making appointments and seeing who’ll be the right fit for you and your situation.
Consider whether you might be eligible for the NDIS.
How can we help?
If you want to find out more about how recovery coaching, counselling or occupational therapy can help manage bipolar disorder, book a free 15-minute chat with one of our friendly team.