Sometimes in the news, we hear about actors or singers who have money and fame ending their own lives.

The comments section inevitably erupts. "Why?", "Shouldn't they be happy with that?"

Honestly, I felt the same way at first. But if you dig a little deeper medically, there is a pretty clear answer to that "why?"

Bipolar disorder. Previously known as manic-depressive illness. Let's talk about this condition properly.

Bipolar disorder is often misunderstood as just "having mood swings."

This is a malfunction in the brain's mood regulation system.

In short, it involves alternating between a manic state where emotions soar and a depressive state where one hits rock bottom.

This isn't measured in days. It can last for weeks or even months. The intensity is beyond what an average person can imagine.

When in a manic phase, one may appear to be doing well, like "things are going great lately." This is the problem.

They can function without sleep. Ideas flow explosively. Confidence soars. They believe they are a genius.

The issue starts here. Judgment becomes completely impaired. They might suddenly launch a business worth millions or make impulsive decisions.

People around them might say, "You seem to be in great shape lately," but in reality, their brain is in a red zone, overloaded.

When they enter a depressive phase, they can do nothing. Just getting out of bed feels like a mission impossible.

Things they once enjoyed feel completely meaningless. Their body feels as heavy as lead, and the thought that they don't belong in this world loops in their mind.

And if this state persists, it can lead to extreme choices. The key point is that this is not a matter of willpower.

The numbers show how serious this condition is.

About 25% of people with bipolar disorder attempt suicide at least once in their lifetime. 30-40% have experienced self-harm.

It is classified as having a poor prognosis among mental illnesses. It's simply a serious condition.

The prevalence is about 1% worldwide for type 1.

Based on the U.S. population of 340 million, that means an astonishing 3-4 million people are affected. There is almost no difference between genders.

One common misconception is that if someone experiences mood swings in a single day, they must have bipolar disorder? 

No. That pattern is more likely to be closer to borderline personality disorder.

Bipolar disorder does not operate on a daily basis. Mood states are fixed over weeks or months.

The diagnostic criteria are different. One should not confuse it with just having intense emotional fluctuations.

The reason we often hear about actors is that creativity involves using emotions, so it tends to be mentioned more in this industry.

Of course, there is no statistical evidence that actors are more likely to be affected.

However, jobs that require extreme emotional expression, irregular lifestyles, and the isolation behind the glamour can all contribute to this issue.

So, it's hard to definitively say there is no correlation.

The problem is that most people still feel uncomfortable discussing their mental health.

However, bipolar disorder is not a matter of willpower or mental strength. It is a complex issue involving the brain's systems and neurotransmitters.

It doesn't make sense to say "just tough it out" when the hardware is malfunctioning. This condition often requires lifelong medication management, and stopping it arbitrarily can lead to relapse.

Telling a diabetic to "just willpower through it" is equally foolish.

Before saying, "I don't understand" when seeing someone who seems to have it all fall apart, I hope people take a moment to consider how easily the brain, as hardware, can break down.