Bipolar disorder is known as manic depressive disorder. It is characterized by extreme mood swings that go beyond normal ups and downs, including emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). These mood shifts can impact a person’s sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behavior, and ability to think clearly.
Nature Of The Bipolar Disorder
Although symptoms can come and go, bipolar disorder typically needs lifelong treatment because it does not settle on its own. It commonly begins in late adolescence or early childhood. Though children can also experience symptoms. If it is not treated well, it can occur more often over time. Bipolar disorder can lead to serious problems such as suicide, job issues, difficulties in relationships, and family discord.
Key symptoms
Bipolar disorder switches between different mood episodes, including manic, depressive, or both at the same time. These episodes can be intense and include changes in behavior, energy, or activity levels that are noticeable to others. It can last a week or two or sometimes longer.
Symptoms of a Manic Episode:
- The feelings are very high, elated, or irritable.
- Feeling jumpy or being more active than usual.
- Have a racing thought or be more active than usual.
- Continuously reducing sleep and feeling rested even after three hours of sleep.
- Talking fast about many different things.
- Thinking oneself unusually important, talented, or powerful, a feeling of self-esteem.
- Easily distracted
Mania can be severe enough that one needs to be hospitalized or exhibit psychotic features such as hallucinations or delusions.
Symptoms of a Depressive Episode:
- A person may feel very sad, anxious, indifferent, or hopeless.
- They can feel down or restless.
- They can also have trouble concentrating or making decisions.
- They might feel trouble in falling asleep, early wakeups, or sleeping too much.
- The person might talk very slowly, forget about things, or be unable to find anything to say.
- They might feel a lack of interest in almost all activities or feel no pleasure.
- Unable to do anything, even simple things.
- The person might have intrusive thoughts about suicide, death, worthlessness, or feelings of guilt.
- The physical symptoms include weight loss, even if not dieting, or weight gain.
- The feeling of being very tired or losing energy.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
The symptoms and signs of bipolar disorder can indicate different types of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar I Disorder
It is defined by at least one manic episode lasting at least 7 days, or every day. The symptoms can be severe enough to need hospital care. However, depressive episodes normally last at least 2 weeks and usually occur. Mixed episodes of mood disorder also happen.
Bipolar II Disorder
It is defined by a pattern of depressive and hypomanic episodes, where hypomanic episodes are less severe than manic episodes and do not cause to need hospitalization.
Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia)
This type involves hypomanic and depressive symptoms that are not severe or long enough to qualify as full hypomanic or depressive episodes. It lasts at least for two years, one year in children and teenagers.
Unspecified symptoms
Some are unspecified or specified symptoms of bipolar disorder refer to symptoms that don’t fit the main three types. These can be less severe.
What Are The Causes Of Bipolar Disorder?
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown. However, research suggests that there are multiple factors that are included in it.
Genetics
Bipolar disorder often runs in families, but there is no indication that a single gene is responsible for this. Many people in the same family don’t develop the disorder.
Brain Structure and Function
Research shows that the brain structure and function in people with bipolar disorder can differ from those who don’t have the condition. This helps researchers understand the illness and predict treatment effectively.
What Other Conditions Can Co-Occur With Bipolar Disorder?
Many people with the same conditions also have other mental or physical health conditions, which can complicate diagnosis and treatment. These include:
- Anxiety disorder.
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Misuse of drugs.
- Eating disorders.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Borderline personality disorder.
- Psychotic symptoms like hallucination, delusion can occur.
Why is The Treatment Of Bipolar Disorder important?
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental illness that needs ongoing treatment to manage its symptoms and improve quality of life. The primary therapeutic objectives of bipolar disorder are to control remission, promote recovery, prevent recurrence, and facilitate full functional recovery. Treatment is often consistent with both mediation and psychotherapy. It is necessary to cooperate with mental healthcare providers or psychiatrists to find the most effective approach for bipolar disorder. Here are the treatment options for bipolar disorder:
Medications
Medication is a major treatment option for bipolar disorder as it helps to control manic and depressive episodes and prevent relapse. It is necessary to find the right medication and dosage, which can take time, because each person’s condition responds differently. It is also necessary to take medication as directed and not stop without consulting a healthcare provider. There can be a risk of relapse. Psychiatrists suggest antidepressant medication for bipolar disorder with a mood stabilizer. It is necessary to combine both medications because taking antidepressants alone can be ineffective. The new focus or treatment methods for bipolar depression are on optimizing mood stabilizer doses.
Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy)
After medication, psychotherapy is an effective method for bipolar disorder. It provides support, education, mechanisms, skills, and strategies for effective person and their families.
Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy
This therapy focuses on understanding and working on the biological and social scales.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is especially helpful for bipolar disorder. Adaptive CBT can help with insomnia in bipolar depression. Therapy helps people cope with life’s difficulties, monitor progress, and manage personal and professional challenges that are caused by the disorder.
Other Treatments
Other than professional help, there is a need for self-help strategies and lifestyle adjustments that can significantly impact symptom management and overall well-being.
Diagnosis and Misdiagnosis Impact
The right treatment is needed, as bipolar disorder symptoms can mimic other illnesses like unipolar depression, schizophrenia, or thyroid diseases. There are chances of misdiagnosis, especially in type II bipolar disorder, because most of its presentation is depression. Factors that contribute to bipolar disorder include early onset depression, frequent depressive episodes, a family history of serious mental illness, hypomania, within depressive episodes, and non-response to antidepressants. Overall treatment for bipolar disorder is complex and requires a personalized, integrated, and multidisciplinary approach that involves psychiatric consultation.
How Can We Help?
If you find symptoms of bipolar disorder, you will be supported by expert psychiatrists at Solid Psychiatry. We treat multiple mental disorders with psychotherapy, bipolar depression medication management, and telehealth (online) services. We have psychiatrists for bipolar disorder andprovide psychiatric services. Call us and book an appointment.