And that’s exactly how she likes it.

For a long time Karen thought her roller-coaster of emotions was “part of my personality”.

Yet during the worst times, she sensed something was wrong.

Karen failed university three times, was unable to work for extended periods and, after a prolonged period of stress, was hospitalised and required 24-hour care.

In 2001 she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

“It was a relief in a way,” she says. 

“It gave me some explanation of why my life was panning out the way it was.”

But learning you have bipolar is not the same as learning to live with it.

“I was initially misdiagnosed with psychotic depression because this is not a straight up and down illness,” Karen says.

“Clinically I presented with deep and suicidal thoughts followed by manic episodes.

“When I was high I thought I was fantastic, I was extremely enthusiastic and passionate. Then, when I was depressed, I was miserable and looking to take away the pain.”

A correct diagnosis was just the first tentative step on Karen’s road to recovery.

“Medication alone doesn’t cut it,” she admits.

“I still experience symptoms of bipolar and that’s why I regularly see a psychiatrist and keep in touch with a mental health nurse. “

Border mental health nurse Cate Clark says Karen’s story is not unique to people battling bipolar.

With only 1 to 2 per cent of the population affected, Ms Clark says the condition can be difficult to diagnose and have a devastating ripple effect on families.

Last month Ms Clark was the guest speaker at the first meeting of a support group for people with bipolar.

Mood Swingers, as the group is cheekily called, is an opportunity for people to come together to “own their illness”, according to Ms Clark.

“Often those who live with bipolar don’t have good knowledge themselves of the illness and education is valuable in helping them to live with and manage the condition,” she says.

“Because bipolar is not common, it is far less understood, so the chance for people with the condition to meet can provide invaluable support.”

Karen says the response to Mood Swingers was overwhelming with 20 people attending the first meeting.

“We were stoked at the response and people were very interested in Cate’s presentation because many hadn’t received education about the disorder itself — it complements the clinical services out there.”

The group will meet again on Friday with a presentation by guest speaker Tony Salter, senior advocate for the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council, and has a line-up of speakers for next year.

Ms Clark, who has worked in mental health for more than 30 years, says one of the key factors in successfully treating bipolar is early detection and ongoing monitoring.

That’s where groups such as Mood Swingers can play a vital role in conjunction with a treatment team.

“People have this concept of bipolar that you are either up or down,” Ms Clark says.

“But people can have periods of being really well. Changes can be subtle — it can even be the tone of a laugh or a greeting — and that’s where people in a support group may be able to help each other with intervention.”

Ms Clark says the disorder is complex and there are at least two forms of bipolar.

What is a common refrain, though, is its “extremely disruptive and distressing” effects on families.

“Bipolar can evolve with time and might initially present as depression while at other times the person may appear as excited and happy,” Ms Clark says.

“Living with severe depression is very difficult but the impact of mania is far more diverse.

“People lose their sense of judgment and may spend money they don’t have or make rash decisions such as quitting their job to start up a new business for example.”

The consequences of that can be families forced into debt or households severely disrupted by a person with endless energy up all the night causing a ripple effect of chaos.

This is then magnified by the fact the person often has no insight into their behaviour.

“In the manic phase, the person has an unshakeable self-belief and without treatment this behaviour can go on for weeks, even months,” Ms Clark says.

“It can create a lot of conflict and cause embarrassment when children see a parent acting out for example.

“Often families don’t get a lot of support in these stages.”

For the person with bipolar, Karen says the condition is compounded by a sense of shame and isolation.

“When I was diagnosed there were no role models or peers in the community available to help me understand what it takes to live with the illness.”

However both she and Ms Clark agree that once a diagnosis is made and treatment started, greater inroads to understanding can be made by individuals, their families and the wider community.

“When people are well they can do their learning,” Ms Clark says.

“When bipolar is recognised early and the person has insight, treatment can work quickly and effectively.”

Karen knows what it takes to manage her condition and, while she still has bipolar symptoms, has learnt the warning signs and where to get help.

For the past five years as a support worker at Centacare, she has shared her recovery experience to help others.

Karen believes it is important for people to speak about their illness as a means of demystifying it.

“It’s not so serious that it’s deadly,” Karen laughs.

“It’s all about helping people enjoy life the best way they can.”

n Mood Swingers will meet again on Friday from 1pm to 2.30pm at The Hub, 562 Macauley Street, Albury.

n For inquiries, phone Colin on (02) 6058 6500 or Karen on (02) 6051 0222.