Living with bipolar disorder is like riding an emotional roller coaster without a seatbelt. For nearly 40 million people worldwide, the disorder shifts between extremes of euphoria and despair, creating a complex reality that often goes unseen, misunderstood, or misrepresented. The term “bipolar” may casually get tossed around in everyday conversation, but for those diagnosed, it is a life-altering condition that requires continuous self-awareness, resilience, and adaptation.

In this feature, we explore the raw, honest experiences of individuals like Martin Hemmann and Becca Brown, who live with bipolar disorder, drawing back the curtain on what it truly means to navigate this unpredictable terrain.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). There are three main types:

Bipolar I Disorder: Defined by manic episodes lasting at least seven days or requiring hospitalization, often followed by depressive episodes.

Bipolar II Disorder: Characterized by patterns of depressive episodes and hypomania, which is less severe than full-blown mania.

Cyclothymic Disorder: Involves chronic fluctuations between mild depressive and hypomanic symptoms over two years or more.

Though often glamorized or dismissed in pop culture, bipolar disorder is far more than a fluctuation in mood—it’s a serious, often debilitating condition that deeply affects how a person thinks, behaves, feels, and relates to the world.

Martin Hemmann, a musician from Germany, describes his life with bipolar disorder as a delicate dance between opposites. “When I woke up, I felt as if there was a grey fog in my head,” he shares. This haze, a hallmark of the depressive phase, can make simple tasks like getting out of bed or brushing one’s teeth feel insurmountable.

During these lows, Martin grapples with feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, and guilt. “I’ve learned to tell people around me who I am, and how I react,” he says. Open communication and personal routines such as meditation, breathing exercises, and staying physically active help him gain control during darker periods.

But when the pendulum swings in the opposite direction—toward mania—Martin experiences a rush of energy and heightened creativity. These manic episodes, while seemingly productive, come with their own dangers: impulsivity, sleep disturbances, and risky behavior.

Becca Brown, a performer living with Bipolar II, offers a similar yet unique perspective. She describes mania as moments of hyperactivity that can feel like being on caffeine overload. “I would just decide to clean my entire house, rearrange the furniture, stay up all night writing something,” she recalls. But the aftermath is sobering. “The next day I would look at all the things I wrote and be like, none of that makes sense. None of it is good.”

The stereotype of mania as a “fun” or “creative” side of bipolar disorder is misleading. While some individuals channel their manic energy into art or work, the reality often includes dangerous impulsivity, poor judgment, and emotional volatility.

Bipolar disorder doesn’t just affect the individual—it ripples out into their relationships, careers, and communities. Martin’s former partner, Verena Heinz, explains the challenge of unpredictability. “The ups and downs, which change so fast… that was the biggest challenge.”

This unpredictability can strain even the strongest bonds. For Martin’s parents, his suicide attempt six years ago was a devastating wake-up call. “It was very difficult to understand, because Martin also has a lot of humor and a joyful side,” they share. Their confusion and guilt underscore how invisible mental illness can be, especially when the individual appears “high-functioning.”

The stigma surrounding mental health—particularly bipolar disorder—can be a significant barrier to diagnosis, treatment, and acceptance. Martin puts it plainly in his speech: “People don’t talk about mental problems. I learned that early on—at school, at the club, at home.”

Both Martin and Becca emphasize the importance of treatment and personal coping strategies. While Martin has weaned off formal medication, he relies on physical activity, cold-water therapy, and structured routines to maintain his balance. “Sport is possibly the most important means of dealing with my depression,” he explains. “It creates a balance between the body and the mind.”

Becca, too, finds healing in creativity. “One of the best things about my life is that I get to get on stage or in front of a camera and play a character or even be myself,” she says.

Their stories reveal an important truth: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing bipolar disorder. Medication, therapy, physical health, creative outlets, community support, and open communication are all pieces of the puzzle—and each person’s journey is deeply personal.

Martin has chosen to speak openly about his journey—not just for himself, but to inspire others. At a recent public event in Germany, he delivered a powerful 18-minute speech recounting his struggles, setbacks, and survival.

“I’m nervous. I’d rather swim under a sheet of ice, climb into the ring, or go climbing without a rope,” he jokes before sharing the core message: “Germany, we have to talk. I suffer from heavy depression… But now I’m talking. I’m not going to stop talking.”

His courage moved an entire audience, many of whom also live with depression or know someone who does. “Martin has given them hope,” his manager Max reflects.

Recovery from bipolar disorder is not linear. There are relapses, side effects, misdiagnoses, and emotional wear-and-tear. Just as Martin planned a 200-kilometer walk to Zwolle to symbolize his healing, he was halted by a sudden joint infection. Life with bipolar disorder is full of such detours—but also full of resilience.

“I think we’re only as limited insofar as we set ourselves limits,” Martin affirms. Even on the hardest days, when depression whispers “you can’t,” Martin insists: “But I can get out of bed. I have arms and legs.”

Why Bipolar Disorder Difficult To Diagnose?

Bipolar disorder remains difficult to diagnose. Its symptoms often mimic or overlap with other mental health conditions, and the cyclical nature of the illness can delay accurate identification. Experts caution against simplistic portrayals or dramatic misrepresentations; understanding the disorder requires nuance. Diagnosis is not about labeling a mood but recognizing patterns over time.

Managing and Recognizing Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Effective management doesn't aim to "fix" moods but to achieve long-term stability through consistent, personalized care. A strategic blend of medical, psychological, and lifestyle interventions is often necessary.

Awareness is the first line of defense. Identifying triggers or shifts early can prevent a full-blown episode.

Track Mood Patterns: Use journaling or digital mood tracking apps to observe changes and trends over time.

Sleep as a Signal: Disruptions in sleep—whether insomnia or excessive sleep—can precede mood shifts.

Watch Energy Levels: Notice any significant increases in energy or physical agitation, or conversely, unexplained fatigue.

Daily Life Hacks for Stability

Small, consistent habits can build a powerful foundation for mental health.

Establish a Routine: Regular sleep, wake, and meal times help regulate the body’s natural rhythms.

Build a Support System: Involvement from trusted friends, family, and peer support groups (like NAMI) can be crucial in maintaining emotional balance.

Avoid Triggers: Minimize or eliminate stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol, and recreational drugs, which can exacerbate mood fluctuations.

Treatment

Professional support is vital. A combination of therapies can offer relief and structure:

Consult a Psychiatrist: A mental health specialist can make a formal diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

Engage in Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), family-focused therapy, and interpersonal therapy are effective tools.

Adhere to Medications: Commonly prescribed medications include mood stabilizers (like lithium), anticonvulsants, and atypical antipsychotics—tailored to each patient’s needs.

Living with bipolar disorder is not about extremes—it’s about everything in between. It’s about learning to surf the waves instead of drowning in them. It’s about telling your story, even when your voice shakes. And most of all, it’s about rewriting the narrative around mental illness—from fear to understanding, from stigma to solidarity.

One of the first impressions we make is from a person’s oral hygiene. How clean their teeth look, if they have any mouth odor, how they eat etc. However, did you know, that your mouth health could also make your heart diseases worse? Could they be the actual reason behind what triggered your heart disease?

New research suggests that the health of your mouth might be connected to the health of your heart. A study found that the fatty clogs in our arteries, known as plaques, often contain bacteria. This hints that a slow, ongoing inflammation caused by these bacteria and our body's reaction to them could be a major factor in heart disease.

According to the American Heart Association, the germs from your mouth can affect your heart? The same bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease can travel to other parts of your body, including your heart, potentially leading to serious health problems.

What Is The Connection Between Bacteria and Clogged Arteries?

Plaques are a buildup of fatty stuff inside your arteries, and this is a long-term problem caused by inflammation. For a long time, doctors have wondered if infections play a role in this process. While early studies were promising, giving antibiotics to people with heart disease didn't seem to help much.

This new study proposes a different idea: maybe certain bacteria form a protective "biofilm" inside the plaques, where they sit quietly and cause a low-level inflammation. This biofilm might hide the bacteria from our immune system and make them resistant to antibiotics. Over time, this quiet infection could turn a stable plaque into a dangerous one that could rupture and cause a heart attack.

How Does Oral Bacteria Affect Heart Health?

A type of bacteria called viridans streptococci has been found in these plaques. These bacteria normally live in our mouths and are involved in forming dental plaque. They often get into the bloodstream during dental procedures. The study found that:

• Over half of the plaques from the people studied contained bacteria.
• The most common type of bacteria was the one from the mouth, found in about 42% of the samples.
• The presence of these mouth bacteria was directly linked to severe artery problems and death from heart disease.

The research showed that these bacteria weren't just passing through the arteries; they were setting up a little community—a biofilm—inside the plaques. This biofilm acted like a shield, protecting the bacteria from our immune system.

But when a plaque breaks open, which is what causes a heart attack, the bacteria inside the biofilm get out. This triggers a huge immune response that can weaken the plaque's outer layer, leading to a blood clot that blocks blood flow to the heart.

Is This a New Way To Fight Heart Diseases?

The study concludes that these mouth bacteria are not harmless. Instead, a hidden, long-term bacterial infection in the form of a dormant biofilm may be what turns a stable plaque into a dangerous one. This finding highlights how important inflammation is in heart disease and could lead to new ways to diagnose and prevent it in the future.

Hair is one of the key aspects of a person’s look. A simple haircut can completely change the way you look. So, you can imagine how losing one’s hair can affect them. While it happens to many people, it can completely change the way they view themselves. Although it is a normal part of aging, many men face this challenge from a young age due to many reasons like genetics, male-patterned baldness etc.

While there are ways you can tackle major hair loss like hair transplant, not everyone can afford it. However, a new drug called PP405 might be a game-changer for baldness. Instead of just slowing down hair loss, this new topical drug actually helps "wake up" your hair follicles that have gone to sleep. In early tests, it showed promising results, making hair thicker for some people who used it. If this treatment works in bigger trials, it could be a whole new way to fight baldness.

How the New Hair Growth Drug Works?

The new drug, PP405, is a topical cream that you apply to the scalp. It's different from older treatments because it doesn't just try to slow down hair loss. Instead, it works by waking up the hair follicles that have become dormant, or "asleep." Scientists found that in many people with hair loss, the stem cells in their hair follicles aren't dead—they've just stopped working. This new drug specifically targets these dormant cells to get them growing hair again.

In an early study, led by dermatologist Qing Yu Christina Weng, MD, chief medical officer of Pelage Pharmaceuticals, the results were very promising: some patients saw their hair become more than 20% thicker. The new hair wasn't just thin, "baby hair"; it was thick, mature hair. A key safety feature is that the drug is designed to get into the skin where it's needed without being absorbed into the rest of the body.

Can You Regrow Hair With Medicine?

Dermatologists are excited about the new drug's potential because it offers a completely new way to treat hair loss. However, they are also being cautious. The study so far was small and short, and the results haven't been fully checked by other scientists yet. The drug still needs to go through much larger studies, which could take a few years.

Right now, the only FDA-approved treatments for hair loss are finasteride and a topical solution called minoxidil. While doctors sometimes use an oral version of minoxidil, these treatments don't work for everyone, especially for those with severe hair loss. This leaves many people with limited options, often turning to expensive and unproven treatments like special injections or lasers.

Does The New Hair Growth Drug Work?

If PP405 passes its larger trials, it could be a huge breakthrough. It would be the first new FDA-approved hair loss treatment in over 25 years. This could be especially helpful for people who have more severe hair loss and haven't had success with other medications.

The researchers also believe this drug might one day be used to treat other types of hair loss, such as hair thinning caused by certain medications or hormonal changes. However, experts say that before the drug is used for other conditions, it must be thoroughly tested in larger groups of people to prove it is safe and effective.

Your skincare shelf might be quietly sabotaging your glow—and you don’t even know it. Think about it: the same cream you swipe on at 7 a.m. is also applied at 11 p.m. But your skin isn’t static; it’s a living, breathing organ with different priorities depending on the time of day. Morning skin is on defense, battling sunlight, pollution, and blue light, while nighttime skin is in repair mode, regenerating and replenishing. Using the same products both times may be convenient, but convenience could come at the cost of healthier, radiant skin.

Skincare seems simple on the surface—wash, moisturize, repeat. Many of us follow the same routine morning and night, believing that if a product works once, it works all day. But according to dermatologist Dr. Vikram Lahoria, this approach may be doing more harm than good. Your skin operates on a circadian rhythm, and the way it behaves during the day differs significantly from its nighttime activities. Understanding these differences—and adjusting your routine accordingly can be the difference between healthy, glowing skin and clogged pores, premature aging, or irritation.

How Your Morning Skincare Is A Shield?

Dr. Lahoria explains, “During the day, your skin is exposed to sunlight, pollution, dust, and even the blue light from screens. Its main role is protection. That’s why your morning routine should focus on creating a barrier against these environmental stressors.”

A typical morning routine starts with a gentle cleanser to remove oils and sweat accumulated overnight. This is followed by a light, hydrating moisturizer that won’t feel greasy or clog pores. The most crucial step in your AM routine is sunscreen. No matter the weather, SPF shields your skin from UV rays, reducing the risk of premature aging, pigmentation, and even skin cancer.

Adding an antioxidant serum, particularly one with vitamin C, can further protect against free radicals generated by pollution and UV exposure. “Think of it as giving your skin armor before stepping into the world,” says Dr. Lahoria.

How Your Night Skincare Is To Heal and Recharge?

Once the sun sets and the day winds down, your skin switches gears. “Nighttime is when your skin works hardest to repair itself,” Dr. Lahoria notes. Without sunlight and environmental stressors, skin cells can focus on regeneration and replenishment.

Night creams and serums are designed to support this process. Ingredients like retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and glycolic acid target fine lines, improve texture, and lock in moisture. A thorough cleanse is essential before applying these products to remove makeup, sweat, and dirt that could block pores overnight.

“Nighttime is when your skin absorbs products most efficiently. The lack of UV exposure means potent actives like retinol can work without the risk of sun-induced irritation,” explains Dr. Lahoria.

Why Using the Same Products All Day Can Backfire?

Using identical products morning and night ignores the skin’s shifting priorities. “It’s like feeding your body the same meal for breakfast and dinner,” says Dr. Lahoria. “In the morning, your skin needs protection. At night, it needs repair. One product cannot optimally serve both functions.”

Daytime exposure to retinoids or AHAs, for instance, can increase sensitivity to sunlight, potentially causing irritation, pigmentation, or damage. Conversely, using sunscreen at night is unnecessary, and while it won’t harm your skin, it doesn’t contribute to repair either. Tailoring your routine ensures that ingredients work when they are most effective, rather than canceling each other out or creating unintended side effects.

Why The Order of Products Is Important?

Timing is not the only consideration—the order in which you apply your skincare products matters too. Dr. Lahoria advises layering from thinnest to thickest. This ensures lightweight serums penetrate deeply before being sealed in by heavier creams or oils. Incorrect layering can hinder absorption or even reduce the efficacy of active ingredients.

For example, a vitamin C serum should be applied before moisturizer, while a heavier night cream should go last. By following this approach, each product can work as intended, maximizing benefits without waste or interference.

Personalising Your Routine to Your Skin’s Clock

Your skin, like your body, has a circadian rhythm. During the day, its priority is defense; at night, it focuses on repair. “Ever wonder why your skin behaves differently in the morning than it does at night? That’s your internal clock at work,” Dr. Lahoria points out.

Adjusting your routine according to this natural rhythm ensures your skin gets the right nutrients at the right time. In the morning, protect; at night, repair. Over time, this approach improves skin health, prevents premature aging, and enhances the results from the products you invest in.

Morning and Night Routine Tips

Dr. Lahoria summarizes an effective framework:

Morning:

• Gentle cleanser to remove overnight oils
• Light moisturizer for hydration
• SPF to protect against UV damage
• Optional antioxidant serum for pollution defense

Night:

• Thorough cleanse to remove dirt, makeup, and pollutants
• Serums or creams containing retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid, or glycolic acid
• Night cream to lock in moisture and support cell repair

Following these guidelines ensures that your skin is supported according to its natural needs, rather than treated with a one-size-fits-all approach.

Skincare is not just about selecting the “right” products—it’s also about using them at the right time. Dr. Lahoria concludes, “Your morning and evening routines should act like a tag team. Each plays its role in protecting, repairing, and energizing your skin. Your clock isn’t just ticking, it’s guiding your glow.”

By understanding your skin’s natural cycles, choosing the right ingredients for day and night, and applying them in the correct order, you ensure your skin remains healthy, radiant, and resilient—without unnecessary irritation or damage.

Dr. Vikram Lahoria is a consultant dermatologist and medical advisor at Ceuticoz in India