Bipolar disorder is characterized by
extreme changes in mood, from mania
to depression.
Between these mood episodes, a person with bipolar disorder may experience
normal moods. Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health
condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania
or hypomania) and lows (depression).
When you become depressed, you may feel sad or
hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities. When your mood
shifts to mania or hypomania (less extreme than mania), you may feel euphoric,
full of energy or unusually irritable. These mood swings can affect sleep,
energy, activity, judgment, behavior and the ability to think clearly.
Episodes of mood swings may occur rarely or multiple times a year. While most
people will experience some emotional symptoms between episodes, some may not
experience any.
Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, you can manage your mood
swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan. In most cases, bipolar
disorder is treated with medications and psychological counseling
(psychotherapy).
Overview
- Bipolar disorder, also known
as bipolar affective disorder, is a mood disorder. It used to be called
manic depression.
- Bipolar disorder can cause
your mood to swing from an extreme high to an extreme low.
- Manic symptoms can include
increased energy, excitement, impulsive behaviour and agitation.
- Depressive symptoms can
include lack of energy, feeling worthless, low self-esteem and suicidal
thoughts.
- You can also have psychotic
symptoms. Psychotic symptoms can mean that you see and hear things that
feel real but they don’t exist.
- There are different types of
bipolar disorder.
- We don’t know what causes
bi-polar. But it is thought to be a combination of genetic and
environmental causes
- Bipolar disorder is treated
with medication or talking therapies.
-
When you feeling
Mania
During a manic phase of bipolar disorder, you
may:
- feel very happy
- have lots of energy,
ambitious plans and ideas
- spend large amounts of money
on things you cannot afford and would not normally want
It's also common to:
- not feel like eating or
sleeping
- talk quickly
- become annoyed easily
You may feel very creative and view the manic
phase of bipolar as a positive experience.
But you may also experience symptoms of psychosis,
where you see or hear things that are not there or become convinced of things
that are not true.
Hypomania
Hypomania is like mania but you will have milder
symptoms. Treatment for hypomania is similar to the treatment for mania.
Depression
Symptoms of depression can include:
- low mood,
- having less energy and
feeling tired,
- feeling hopeless or
negative,
- feeling guilty, worthless or
helpless,
- being less interested in
things you normally like doing or enjoying them less,
- difficulty concentrating,
remembering or making decisions,
- feeling restless or
irritable,
- sleeping too much or not
being able to sleep,
- feeling more or less hungry than
usual,
- losing or gaining weight,
when you do not mean to, and
- thoughts of death or
suicide, or suicide attempts.
Psychosis
Sometimes you can have psychotic symptoms during
a severe episode of mania or depression. Symptoms of psychosis can be:
- hallucinations. This means
that you may hear, see, or feel things that are not there, and
- delusions. This means you
may believe things that are not true. Other people will usually find your
beliefs unusual.
Psychotic symptoms in bipolar disorder can
reflect your mood. For example, if you have a manic episode you may believe
that you have special powers, or are being monitored by the government. If you
have depressive episode, you may feel very guilty about something you think you
have done. You may feel that you are worse than anybody else or feel that you
don't exist.
Causes of bipolar
disorder
Bipolar disorder is a common mental health
disorder, but it’s a bit of a mystery to doctors and researchers. It’s not yet
clear what causes some people to develop the condition and not others.
Possible causes of bipolar disorder include:
Genetics
If your parent or sibling has bipolar disorder,
you’re more likely than other people to develop the condition (see below).
However, it’s important to keep in mind that most people who have bipolar
disorder in their family history don’t develop it.
Your brain
Your brain structure may impact your risk for the
disease. Abnormalities in the structure or functions of your brain may increase
your risk.
Environmental
factors
It’s not just what’s in your body that can make
you more likely to develop bipolar disorder. Outside factors may contribute,
too. These factors can include:
- extreme stress
- traumatic experiences
- physical illness
Each of these factors may influence who develops
bipolar disorder. What’s more likely, however, is that a combination of factors
contributes to the development of the disease.
Bipolar
symptoms in women
Men and women are diagnosed with bipolar disorder
in equal numbers. However, the main symptoms of the disorder may be different
between the two genders. In many cases, a woman with bipolar disorder may:
- be diagnosed later in life,
in her 20s or 30s
- have milder episodes of
mania
- experience more depressive
episodes than manic episodes
- have four or more episodes
of mania and depression in a year, which is called rapid cycling
- experience other conditions
at the same time, including thyroid
disease, obesity,
anxiety disorders,
and migraines
- have a higher lifetime risk
of alcohol
use disorder
Women with bipolar disorder may also relapse more
often. This is believed to be caused by hormonal changes related to menstruation,
pregnancy, or menopause. If you’re a woman and think you may have bipolar
disorder, it’s important for you to get the facts.
Symptoms
There are several types of bipolar and related
disorders. They may include mania or hypomania and depression. Symptoms can
cause unpredictable changes in mood and behavior, resulting in significant
distress and difficulty in life.
- Bipolar I disorder. You've had at least one
manic episode that may be preceded or followed by hypomanic or major
depressive episodes. In some cases, mania may trigger a break from reality
(psychosis).
- Bipolar II disorder. You've had at least one
major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but you've
never had a manic episode.
- Cyclothymic disorder. You've had at least two
years — or one year in children and teenagers — of many periods of
hypomania symptoms and periods of depressive symptoms (though less severe
than major depression).
- Other types. These include, for example,
bipolar and related disorders induced by certain drugs or alcohol or due
to a medical condition, such as Cushing's disease, multiple sclerosis or
stroke.
However, many
people with bipolar disorder have found the following tools to be helpful in
reducing symptoms and maintaining wellness:
- Talk to a supportive person
- Get a full eight hours of
sleep
- Cut back on your activities
- Attend a support group
- Call your doctor or
therapist
- Do something fun or
creative, or write in your journal
- Take time for yourself to
relax and unwind
- Increase your exposure to
light
- Exercise
- Ask for extra help from
loved ones
- Cut back on sugar, alcohol,
and caffeine
- Increase or decrease the
stimulation in your environment
- Develop an active daily
routine
- Keep stress to a minimum
- Avoid eating junk food
Healthy sleep
habits for managing bipolar disorder
- Go to bed and wake up at the
same time each day.
- Avoid or minimize napping,
especially if it interferes with your sleep at night.
- Instead of viewing screens
or other stimulating activities before bed, try taking a bath, reading a
book, or listening to relaxing music.
- Limit caffeine after lunch
and alcohol at night as both interfere with sleep.
The
importance of support in bipolar disorder recovery
"People with bipolar disorder
do better when they have support from family members and friends. They tend to
recover more quickly, experience fewer manic and depressive episodes, and have
milder symptoms."
If I
experience mood swings does that mean I have bipolar?
"No, everyone has good and
not so good days and experiences mood swings."
Bipolar disorder and the family
Living with a person who has bipolar disorder can
cause stress and tension in the home. On top of the challenge of dealing with
your loved one’s symptoms and their consequences, family members often struggle
with feelings of guilt, fear, anger, and helplessness. Ultimately, the strain
can cause serious relationship problems. But there are better ways to cope.
The first step to successfully dealing with
bipolar disorder is for families to learn to accept the illness and its
difficulties. When you’re feeling frustrated or guilty, remember that bipolar
disorder isn’t anyone’s fault. Accepting bipolar disorder involves
acknowledging that things may never again be “normal.” Treatment can make a
huge difference for your loved one, but it may not take care of all symptoms or
impairments. To avoid disappointment and resentments, it’s important to have
realistic expectations. Expecting too much of your family member is a recipe
for failure. On the other hand, expecting too little can also hinder recovery,
so try to find a balance between encouraging independence and providing
support.
Supporting a person
with bipolar disorder
Sticks and stones can break bones, but words hurt, too. Talking carelessly
can shatter self-esteem and stifle a person’s motivation to have a life again.
Instead, use statements that are more likely to strengthen relationships and
support recovery.
What you can say that helps:
- “You’re not alone in this.
I’m here for you.”
- “I understand that it’s your
illness that causes these thoughts and feelings.”
- “You may not believe it now,
but the way you’re feeling can and will change.”
- “I may not be able to
understand exactly how you feel, but I care about you and want to help and
support you.”
- “You are important to me.
Your life is important to me.”
- “I love you, and I care." or “I’ll be your friend no matter what.”
Common Misconceptions about Bipolar Disorder
In addition to the unwarranted stigma that
surrounds bipolar disorder, there are many misconceptions about its symptoms,
diagnosis and treatment. These are several prevailing myths:
- Individuals cause their
disorder.
Bipolar disorder is caused by a complex interplay of genetic, biological
and environmental factors.
- You can will yourself out of
mood swings.
Left untreated, bipolar disorder can wreak havoc on a person’s life. It
requires both medical treatment and psychotherapy.
- You’ll never be normal. “Many patients in the
beginning feel like they won’t be able to accomplish their goals, that
bipolar will prevent them from getting married or getting the job of their
dreams,” Reilly-Harrington said. She adds that though your life might
require certain changes, you can pursue your dreams. For instance, her
student patients might take fewer classes every semester and take longer
to graduate, but they still achieve a college degree.
- Bipolar is easy to diagnose. “It’s often very difficult
to diagnose bipolar disorder based on an initial visit, even a prolonged
one,” said Elizabeth Brondolo, Ph.D, a clinical psychologist specializing
in bipolar disorder and professor at St. John’s University in New York.
This typically occurs because our self-awareness changes with mood.”It can
be hard to translate the experiences and moods you have into the symptoms
identified in the DSM or other scales,” said Brondolo, who also
co-authored Break the Bipolar Cycle: A Day-to-Day Guide to Living with
Bipolar Disorder. For instance, what might appear to you as confidence
and clever ideas for a new business venture might be a pattern of
grandiose thinking and manic behavior. While you’re focused on your
business experience, others notice your mood and behavior, Brondolo said.
Same with irritability, a symptom that often goes unrecognized: You’re
more focused on feeling frustrated than looking inward. Because you might
not be a reliable reporter, talk to your loved ones to get objective
impressions, Brondolo said.
Telling Others about Your Diagnosis
Having a support system is critical in
successfully managing bipolar disorder. But you might be uncertain about who to
tell. According to Reilly-Harrington, be very selective. She emphasizes that it
shouldn’t feel like a secret, but you should realize that people’s reactions
vary widely. Because many people don’t understand the disorder, patients can
feel disappointed after disclosing that they have it.
Many patients, though, do have positive
experiences. For one of Brondolo’s patients, who worked in a very supportive
environment, telling her boss allowed the patient to be herself and do her job
more effectively.
However, every workplace and family member is
different. Brondolo suggests first consulting your therapist or doctor. Also,
examine your concerns, Brondolo said. Ask yourself, “What am I worried about?”
“How can I potentially be harmed?” Consider turning to support groups to learn
about other patients’ experiences, suggests Reilly-Harrington.
If you’re ready to disclose your diagnosis, be
straightforward, said Brondolo. It’s helpful to give information about the
disorder since myths abound.
Resource:
https://psychcentral.com
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/bipolar-disorder/living-with-bipolar-disorder.htm
https://www.healthline.com/health/could-it-be-bipolar-signs-to-look-for
