There can be a lot of stigma and misunderstanding surrounding mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder.
Historically, mental health disorders were not viewed as an actual illness but rather a lack of willpower of the person displaying symptoms.
But this view of mental illness is not accurate.
Mental health disorders are not a lack of willpower. They are real disease processes that take place in the brain and cause the symptoms that are seen.
Let’s take a look at one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders, bipolar disorder.
Overview of Bipolar Disorder
In short, bipolar disorder is a mood disorder.
People who have bipolar disorder are like the pendulum on an old grandfather clock, with their moods swinging back and forth. Very high and then very low.
When their mood swings up high (mania or hypomania) they feel euphoric, energetic, or even overly irritable. They tend to make rash and impulsive decisions in this phase.
When their mood swings down low (depression) they feel hopeless, helpless, and unmotivated to do anything.
Each phase can last weeks to months, depending on the person and the category of bipolar disorder that they have.
Let’s take a look at the different types of bipolar disorder.
Categories of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar I
The person will have had at least 1 episode of mania and at least 1 episode of hypomania (less excited than mania) or a major depressive episode.
The manic episode may even trigger a complete break from reality (psychosis).
Bipolar II
The person has had at least 1 episode of major depression and at least 1 episode of hypomania but has never had an episode of full mania.
Cyclothymic Disorder
The person has had at least 2 years of many periods of hypomania and depression. For children and teenagers, the diagnostic requirement is 1 year.
Other
This would include bipolar or other similar mood disorders that were induced by drugs, alcohol, or other diseases, such as Cushing’s disease.
Bipolar disorder can occur at any age but is typically diagnosed when the person is a teenager or in their early 20’s.
Now, let’s take a closer look the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Mania and Hypomania
Mania and hypomania are 2 different types of episodes but they have the same symptoms.
Mania is more severe and tends to cause more issues in school, work, and social life. It may also require a hospital stay if the person has a mental break from reality (psychosis).
Both a manic and a hypomanic episode include three or more of the following symptoms:
- Unusually upbeat, jumpy or wired
- Increased activity, energy or agitation
- Exaggerated sense of self-confidence and well-being (euphoria)
- Decreased need for sleep
- Extremely talkative
- Racing thoughts
- Distractibility and inability to focus
- Poor decision-making — going on shopping sprees, taking risks or making foolish investments
Major Depression
A major depressive episode causes symptoms that are severe enough to cause difficulty in daily activities such as school, work, or social life.
An episode of major depression includes 5 or more of the following symptoms:
- Depressed mood, such as feeling sad, empty, or hopeless
- Children or teens may express a lot of irritability
- Loss of interest or feeling no pleasure in all — or almost all — activities
- Significant weight loss, weight gain, due to a decrease or increase in appetite
- Either insomnia or sleeping too much
- Either restlessness or slowed behavior
- Fatigue
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
- Decreased ability to think or concentrate
- Thinking about, planning or attempting suicide
Okay, but what causes bipolar disorder? Let’s dive into that answer now.
Causes of Bipolar Disorder
There is no one cause of this disorder. It is thought to be triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Genetics
Bipolar disorder has a genetic tendency and is often seen in families. If a person has a first-degree relative with the disorder, they are more likely to develop it themselves than those who do not.
Biologic
Those with bipolar disorder also tend to have physical differences in their brains.
There is also evidence that they may have chemical imbalances that could be a causative factor in their mood swings.
Triggering Agents
There seems to be a link between certain events taking place in a person’s life and then the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Meaning, some things seem to trigger it.
These triggering factors include abuse of the individual, an event that caused extreme emotional distress (death in the family, for example), and substance use (drugs or alcohol).
It’s clear that this disorder greatly affects every aspect of a person’s life. What happens if that person doesn’t get treatment for bipolar disorder? Let’s discuss this below.
Complications of Bipolar Disorder
If left untreated, this disorder can result in serious problems that affect every area of a person’s life.
These areas include:
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Suicide or suicide attempts
- Legal or financial problems
- Damage to relationships
- Poor work or school performance
Bipolar disorder can be a very debilitating disease, intimately affecting a person’s life.
So that begs the question, what can be done about it?
Let’s take a look at the treatments available for bipolar disorder.
Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a life-long condition, so treatment focuses on managing symptoms.
Medications
There are many different medications that can be used to help treat bipolar disorder depending on the specific needs of each individual.
A few major categories are:
- Mood Stabilizers to help control mania and hypomania (lithium, Depakote, Lamictal)
- Antipsychotics to help with persistent depression or mania that is unresponsive to other medications (Zyprexa, Rispiridal, Abilify)
- Antidepressants to help with depression (Zoloft)
- Other medications as recommended by healthcare providers
Therapy
It is also typically recommended that those with this disorder attend psychotherapy sessions to help them address the symptoms of their disorder.
During therapy, they might learn to identify negative and unhealthy beliefs or behaviors and replace them with positive, healthier ones.
Learning strategies to manage stress and establishing daily routines is another focus during therapy sessions.
Discussing how to maintain healthy relationships, stop using drugs or alcohol, and how to problem-solve are all areas that can be addressed with a therapist.
Therapy often goes hand-in-hand with medications to help treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder and help the person live a happier, healthier life.
Key Take Aways:
- Bipolar disorder is a type of mood disorder
- It typically consists of extreme mood swings from mania or hypomania to major depression
- There are 4 forms: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymic disorder, other related disorders
- Episodes can last from weeks to months
- Bipolar disorder often affects every aspect of a person’s life and can make functioning difficult
- It is a life-long illness but symptoms can be managed to improve quality of life
- It is caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors
- Treatment includes medication and psychotherapy
- There is hope: those with bipolar disorder can still live happy and vibrant lives with proper management of their disease
Resources:
Mayo Clinic. Bipolar Disorder.
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