What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar Disorder is a mental health condition that is recognised by those suffering from extreme mood swings. It was formally known as manic depression but later it has been described as Bipolar Disorder by medical professionals. Bipolar can either be chronic or episodic meaning that you can either have it on an ongoing basis or you suffer from Bipolar in irregular intervals leading to the saying ‘an episode.’
Throughout life, you will experience ups and downs as it is a normal human experience but for those with Bipolar Disorder the range of moods that they experience can be extreme. People who suffer from bipolar can have manic episodes where they will be extremely happy with a massive increase in activity level that can seem unusual and at other points, they have depressive episodes where their mood can drop completely to the point where they feel life is hopeless.
Bipolar Disorder symptoms usually start a lot later in life during late adolescence or adulthood but young children can show signs of them suffering from Bipolar Disorder. Symptoms of bipolar may come and go. Bipolar is a disorder that will require lifelong treatment and it can not just magically disappear on its own. Those who are suffering from Bipolar Disorder are at a much larger risk of suicide, depression, anxiety and more. By getting a diagnosis, you will be able to find the correct treatment tailored to you for you to start living a much better and more functioning life today.
What are the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
The signs and symptoms of Bipolar Disorder can vary depending on the individual due to a number of factors such as genetics, personality and more. An individual who suffers from Bipolar Disorder can have manic episodes, depressive episodes and ‘mixed’ ones. A mixed episode is when someone has a manic and depressive episode. Symptoms can last a week or two but there are some episodes that can last longer especially when the disorder is not being treated correctly which is usually when someone is undiagnosed.
Manic Episode
- Want to do lots of tasks at once
- Excessed appetite
- Sense of high importance
- Talking a lot faster
- No need for sleep
- Jumpy
- Racing thoughts
- Extreme high
Depressive Episode
- Overwhelming feeling of sadness
- Feeling of hopelessness
- Become forgetful
- Can't sleep / sleeping too much
- Can't focus on tasks
- Feel slow
People with Bipolar Disorder may have much milder symptoms than other individuals suffering from it. An example would be someone who is having a hypomanic episode may be very productive as they have an extreme amount of ‘energy’ so it can look like nothing is wrong. However, those people close to you such as family and friends can notice the sudden mood swings and a recent activity level change. It can be more obvious that someone is suffering from Bipolar Disorder if their massive high is followed by a depressive episode.
Conditions that can co-occur with Bipolar Disorder
People that suffer from Bipolar Disorder are at a high risk of suffering from other conditions and mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, addiction and more. Some people who have much more severe types of bipolar disorder can suffer from hallucinations and delusions which can be dangerous to the individuals and those around them.
The psychotic symptoms that they show will often match the person’s extreme mood. An example is someone who is having a hypomanic episode can sometimes believe that they have special powers or are famous.
Through diagnosis and studying symptoms that someone shows over the course of their bipolar disorder plus other factors such as genetics, family history and more you will be able to determine if a person is suffering from another condition co-occurring with their bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Disorder diagnosis
It is very important that you arrange for a psychiatric assessment as it is common that bipolar is often misdiagnosed as there are many different forms and variations of Bipolar Disorder. Many people suffer from this disorder for years which means they can not get access treatment that they require which can be very effective in treating and managing their bipolar disorder better to make them function greater throughout their life. We recommend that you seek out help early as bipolar disorder can affect people severely.
There are different forms of treatments that can help bipolar that aren’t just medication but psychotherapy has been found to help those who suffer from Bipolar Disorder as the aim is to help people identify and change their troubled emotions and thoughts. Psychotherapy can offer support and strategies to people with bipolar and to their families so they can help manage loved ones better when having an episode.
Here at Psychiatry Today can help find the best treatment for your bipolar disorder moving forward when correctly diagnosed as an individual is unique there is not one set plan that can help those with Bipolar Disorder.