| Bipolar disorder is a mental condition | | | | Inappropriate Clothing |
| that can result in self-mutilation or | | | | Another way to punish one self is by |
| self-injury. The mere thought is | | | | wearing inappropriate clothing for a |
| alarming enough but the reality is even | | | | particular season or climate. One reason |
| more so since this disease can result in | | | | why a patient wears thick clothing |
| suicide. | | | | during warm weather is to conceal an |
| Since bipolar disorder affects the | | | | object or possible even just themselves, |
| normal functions of the brain, the | | | | shielding them from the world. |
| patient can perform uncontrollable acts | | | | Body Piercing & Tattoos |
| that are often considered as unhealthy | | | | In some cultures, piercing and tattooing |
| or even fatal. This is due to the | | | | are forms of spiritual conversion. Other |
| episodes of mania and depression which | | | | people on the other hand consider these |
| can lead the patient to react strongly | | | | acts as self-expression. While these |
| over the simplest of things. | | | | reasons are widely acceptable to many, |
| Sadness that is caused by | | | | piercing and tattooing can still be |
| disappointments can lead to | | | | considered as ways of injuring one's |
| self-mutilation. A patient that feels | | | | self. Sometimes, these self-mutilations |
| guilt over something can cause him or | | | | (others call it transformation) become |
| her to blame themselves. This often | | | | so addictive and so uncontrollable that |
| leads to self-punishment that usually | | | | they become two entirely different |
| comes in the form of self-injury. | | | | problems. |
| Here are some of the most common acts of | | | | Reenactment of a Previously Painful |
| self-injury related to bipolar disorder: | | | | Experience |
| Cutting of the Sufferer's Own Skin | | | | A patient with one or more painful |
| This often happens in an episode of | | | | experiences of abuse who is suffering |
| severe depression, and there are many | | | | from bipolar disorder can reenact those |
| reasons why the patient does this. One | | | | times if they remain unprocessed or |
| is the feeling of guilt over a certain | | | | untreated. There are two possible |
| event that happened recently or even | | | | reasons why a person does this: one is |
| years back. A breakup with a boyfriend | | | | to let others know that they are still |
| or a girlfriend perhaps, or, if the | | | | hurting, and the other is to let him or |
| stress is so intense then the person's | | | | her experience the pain all over again |
| only resort is to divert it into | | | | as a gesture of guilt and unforgiveness. |
| physical pain. Another reason could be | | | | As was mentioned earlier, these acts are |
| for mere pleasure. The episode of mania | | | | clear manifestations of the intention to |
| causes the patient to have excessive | | | | harm and can lead to suicide. |
| energy and forcing it out through | | | | Recognizing these acts, therefore, can |
| self-injury is one way to prove it. | | | | save the patient's life. If you know |
| Meanwhile, cutting can also be | | | | someone who is depressed and does this, |
| recognized as a plea for help. Since a | | | | carefully approach the patient and |
| patient with bipolar disorder is often | | | | suggest that he or she should consult a |
| neglected and left unnoticed, he or she | | | | psychiatrist. If in case you are the one |
| creates a venue where other people can | | | | who is practicing these acts, recognize |
| notice him or her, this time through | | | | your condition and seek psychological |
| self-injury. | | | | treatment immediately. |