Bipolar Eyes

In this episode, Wendy discusses the "bipolar eyes" phenomenon and if it's truly a symptom of bipolar disorder.   


Wendy's debut novel "Involuntary Hold" is now available on Amazon and Audible~ Read for you by the very talented Hedy Parks. A shocking story of self-discovery.
Be sure to check it out!



International Helpline Info

 For those living outside the United States, I finally found some helpful information. The International Association for Suicide Prevention has a directory of crisis centers and helplines for over 50 countries! 

Just got to the internet and type in:

       findahelpline.com/i/iasp

 And it will bring you to a drop-down menu where you can input your country and region, and it will give you the information for your location. Granted, it doesn’t cover everywhere, but it’s a start!

** Remember if you, or a loved one, is in emotional crisis... Help is just a phone call away. Simply dial 9-8-8 for the Suicide and Crisis Hotline, or text "HOME" to 741741 to chat with someone via text 24/7 across the United States. **

Please contact us at bipolarforlife@myyahoo.com with any questions, suggestions, or comments.

Transcript

Bipolar for Life
Ep 2/S2-Bipolar Eyes

Good evening and welcome to “Bipolar for Life.” I’m your host, Wendy Foard, and I’ve managed to live with bipolar disorder for 44 years now. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve survived several suicide attempts, four psychiatric hospitalizations, and one disastrous trip to rehab. Yet, I’m still here!

Let me say up front that I am NOT a medical doctor. I am simply a seasoned manic-depressive trying to help others survive this deadly mental illness through shared information and experiences.  

As we discuss issues, please remember that I am speaking from my own experience; your bipolar experiences may be entirely different. Yet, I suspect highly that we have more in common than not. 

While looking for a topic to discuss with you tonight, I came across something I’ve not heard of in all my years of research: bipolar eyes. Ever heard of it? Neither have I, so I must share it with you. 

Evidently, there is a school of thought that believes you can see bipolar mood changes in the eyes. Changes in characteristics such as pupil size, brightness, and gaze may indicate distinct disease states. 

Changes in mood and behavior are the basic factors in defining bipolar disorder. Yet, there are some who contend that certain eye shifts may occur with the onset of manic or depressive episodes. They suggest that bipolar disorder can change the appearance of the eyes by generally affecting the pupils, gaze and even eye color.  Bipolar eyes might include:

·     Dilated pupils

·     “Sparkling” eyes, or eyes that appear more liquid than usual

·     Eyes that change color or become black

·     Widened or narrowed eyes depending on the type of mania—some say that a mood episode with mixed features of mania and depression leads to a narrowed or squinting gaze

Since these supposed eye changes happen during episodes of mania, you might also hear them described as “manic eyes.”

Although, a recent 2024 article in Very Well Health says that bipolar eyes are seen mostly in a depressive state. So, I’m not sure when bipolar eyes actually occur. 

Dilated Pupils are a state in which the dark center of the eye widens in reaction to internal or external factors. Your pupil size is controlled by your autonomic nervous system which regulates your body’s involuntary processes. 

Research from 2016, connected the hormone Noradrenaline to manic episodes. Noradrenaline is similar to adrenaline, but is not exactly the same, yet the body may produce either in response to stress, trauma, and fear. The release of this hormone can lead to pupil dilation. 

Of course, bipolar disorder involves more than just excitement and high energy. Symptoms of psychosis, including delusions and hallucinations, can also happen during an episode. Since these can be frightening, pupils may dilate in response.

Bipolar disorder affects everyone differently. Noticing a change in someone’s eyes may be a sign that they are undergoing mood, or emotional shifts, though these changes may not be due to bipolar disorder. Other external signs of bipolar disorder, like extreme changes in behavior and mood are a better indicator of someone’s mental state. 

During a manic episode, eyes described as being bright with a shimmering quality, or seem to shine without wavering, is referred to as “sparkling eyes” and is one of the most common observations. This may be linked to the excitement and euphoria that occur in a manic state. 

Eye color change is another ‘symptom’ of bipolar eyes. Researchers say that color changes during a manic episode may be due to increased contact that occurs between the dark dilated pupils and the sclera, or the white part of your eye that covers 80% of its surface. 

For example, if your eyes are two-toned with a ring of one color nestled inside that of another color, dilated pupils may cover up part of your eye color, making it look like your overall eye color has changed. 

In addition, dilated pupils can make you more sensitive to light. A 2019 study suggests that people with bipolar disorder might be more sensitive to light when experiencing a mood episode. 

Squinting and narrowing of the eyes is also a response to too much brightness, so if your pupils are dilated due to a high or low mood, you might be more prone to squinting causing the eyes to appear narrower. 

A 2015 study suggests that pupils tend to dilate during times of high emotional arousal, such as during an unusually high or low mood. 

Bipolar eyes are NOT a reliable method for diagnosing bipolar disorder, or a manic or depressive episode. To date, no scientific studies have explored changes in eye color or shape as a result of bipolar disorder. In other words, there is no actual evidence to support the bipolar eye theory. 

However, if you think you, or a loved one, is suffering a bipolar episode, look for the following signs that can help you recognize if support is  necessary. 

Signs of a manic episode:

·     Feeling wired, jumpy or more active than usual

·     Feeling of euphoria or elation

·     Being restless, working on several projects at once, or increased activity

·     Being easily distracted

·     Having a very short temper or seeming extremely irritable

·     Having uncontrollable, racing thoughts

·     Talking quickly and loudly

·     Feeling energetic despite sleeplessness or insomnia

·     Feeling like you are especially talented, important, or powerful

·     Participating in risky, impulsive behavior like overeating, drinking too much, reckless driving, overspending, or reckless sex

For those of you who are watching your loved ones, here are some signs of a depressive episode:

·     Feeling sad, down, worried or worthless

·     Feeling anxious, empty, guilty or hopeless

·     Feeling fatigued with low or no energy

·     Lacking interest in friends, family and usual activities

·     Being forgetful and/or indecisive

·     Difficulty concentrating

·     Getting too much or too little sleep

·     Eating too much or too little food

·     Thoughts of suicide and/or death

          Ways to Offer Support

Obvious changes in mood and behavior are the best ways to determine if someone is having a bipolar episode. If you notice someone displaying signs of a bipolar episode, consider these tips from the International Bipolar Foundation to offer support:

·     Avoid using combative or patronizing words like “calm down” or “relax” since they may not be in control of their behavior or mood.

·     Don’t take their actions personally. Their mood and behavior have nothing to do with you.

·     Give them space if they prefer to be alone. However, intervention may be necessary if they are talking about self-harm or harming others.

·     Keep them company. Interact with them to keep them busy and safe without making them feel embarrassed about their behavior.

·     Protect them from harm. Be aware of the harm they may inflict on their health or lifestyle by actions such as overspending, excessive drinking, or other careless behaviors.

·     Discuss the advantages of taking away their phones during an episode. Having their phone in hand can be a temptation for overspending or other types of reckless actions.

·     Encourage behaviors that aren’t harmful. Allow them to work through obsessions that are not harmful so they can move past them. 

·     Contact their psychiatrist or mental health provider, or encourage them to do so, if advice is needed.

·     Remind them to take care of their health, including taking daily medications. Help them meet these requirements without making them feel guilty.

·     Prepare for a depressive episode. Talk with them about ways to handle their needs during those difficult times. 

·      Provide physical, emotional, and overall support. Whether they need a hug, unconditional love, or physical assistance—

Be ready to offer whatever help they need to get through the worst of their symptoms. 

As always, if you or a loved one is feeling suicidal or are in emotional turmoil, please don’t hesitate to get help. Just dial 9-8-8 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Someone is available 24 hours a day and they also speak Spanish!

 If you’d rather not speak directly to someone, you can also text. Just text H-O-M-E to 741741 from anywhere in the United States and get the help you need. Don’t suffer alone!

So, from the research I’ve done, I think that bipolar eyes are a myth. I believe you can see changes in the pupils when someone experiences strong emotions, bipolar or not, but the other criteria for bipolar eyes are subjective at best. But you be the judge… Do you see a difference in your eyes, or the eyes of a loved one, when experiencing a mood episode? 

I asked my roommates if they could tell what mood, mania or depression, I was in by my eyes. The response came back a resounding “No.” They watch for my behavior to signal what mood I’m dealing with at any given moment. And I suggest you watch yourself to see if there are any movements, or actions that you repeat during the different episodes. These are clues to you, as to what’s going on. 

Email me with what you think about the bipolar eye theory. Do you believe you can see bipolar changes in the eyes? Let me know your thoughts at bipolarforlife@myyahoo.com. 

Tonight, I’d like to close the show with my book Involuntary Hold. It has been turned into an audiobook and tonight, I’m proud to play a little teaser for you. It is available on Audible and on Amazon. Please be careful in all your travels and I’ll see you next time on Bipolar for Life.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Involuntary Hold by Wendy Foard. Read for you by the talented Hedy Parks.

(Fanfare)

Admitted

Saturday 2:30 am

Her eyelids fluttered, and her hands jerked to life as consciousness slowly returned. All she could hear was the indistinct murmur of silence. The only illumination was an intense fluorescent light, which made her head ache. She tried to raise her right hand to shield her eyes from the overwhelming glare, but it jolted to an unexpected halt after a few inches of movement. She tried again, but something hard and unyielding gripped her wrist.

It was hard to focus; her eyelids felt heavy, and everything seemed blurry, yet she could see a dark brown bracelet around her wrist. It was bulky and tight on her. She reached with her left hand for the band, but it, too, stopped short after a few inches. Her eyes flew open, and a jolt of adrenaline cleared her vision—Oh, God! I’ve been abducted!

A thick belt looped her wrists to the metal rails of the mattress she lay on. She kicked her feet to find they were bound by the hard leather cuffs as well. She thrashed wildly against the restraints and immediately ceased the loud movements. Her eyes were all she dared to move as she scanned the room, stiff with fear. She wanted to scream for help but was terrified any noise would bring her face-to-face with her abductor. 

The cinder block chamber was a non-committal beige, devoid of any furniture or adornments, a small space, cold and harsh. She craned her neck upward and was shocked to find she wasn’t alone after all. There was a broad, muscular man in blue hospital scrubs seated on a folding chair, blocking the only exit. He said nothing, simply chewed gum slowly, and gazed at her with amused disdain.

“Where am I?” Lou asked in a hoarse voice. She didn’t know why her throat was so raw.

He leaned forward, put his elbows on his knees, and answered confidentially, “Hospital.”

“What?” Lou began checking herself for bandages or pain but found none.

The orderly shook his head, smiled, and said, “The Behavioral Health Unit.”

Confused, she immediately stopped searching herself. “The where?”

He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. “You’re in the psych ward on suicide watch, which is why I’m sitting here. I make sure you don’t hurt yourself or anyone else.”

She lay flat on her back, tethered to the hospital bed, looking at the man exasperated. “How can I hurt anyone tied up like this?”

 The orderly sat unmoved, and said nothing.

Questions flooded her brain: How can I be in the hospital? Why am I tied to the bed? I should be at a party with friends, or at least at home, getting over a hangover. What the hell happened?

 She frantically fought against her bondage to no avail. She screamed in frustration. The orderly did not move, yet a smirk danced across his lips.   

 “Get me outta these!” she screamed.

“That’s not up to me. I only watch to make sure you don’t get up to any mischief. When you get out is up to the nurses. You gotta ask them.” 

“When?”

“Oh, one should be round directly. They’ll know you’re awake now.”

That’s Involuntary Hold now available on Audible and Amazon. Be the first in your neighborhood to experience the shocking twist you won’t see coming! Read for you by the very talented Hedy Parks. Don’t miss it! 

Involuntary Hold now available on Audible and Amazon.