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Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings, cycling between mania or hypomania and depression. While there is no cure for bipolar disorder, with proper treatment and self-management strategies, people with bipolar disorder can lead fulfilling lives.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings, including highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression), formerly known as manic depression. 

  • Mania is a period of elevated mood that can include sleeplessness, poor judgment, racing thoughts and talking, extreme energy, and impulsive behavior. 
  • Hypomania is a less severe type of mania. 
  • Depression is a period of feeling intensely sad or hopeless that can include losing interest in most activities, social withdrawal, thoughts of suicide, and difficulty concentrating. 

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), about 4.8% of US adults will experience bipolar disorder in their life. Bipolar disorder can be a very disabling condition, but with the right support, it can be effectively treated with therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.

Early Signs of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder can occur at any age, but it often appears in late teens or early adulthood. It can be difficult to spot the early symptoms of bipolar disorder as they can sometimes be mistaken for normal mood swings, especially in teenagers, or reactions to situations or life events. However, there are warning signs to look out for that may suggest bipolar disorder. 

Early signs of mania:

  • Extreme hyperactivity
  • Inflated self-esteem
  • Racing thoughts and talking
  • Poor decision-making
  • Increased irritability
  • Decreased need for sleep

Early signs of depression:

  • Long-lasting sadness
  • Loss of interest in activities
  • Changes in appetite or sleep
  • Withdrawal from social activities
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Relationships and Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder can present challenges in relationships, but it doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker. Here’s how bipolar disorder can impact relationships: 

  • The extreme shifts in mood can be confusing and stressful for a partner. 
  • During episodes, communicating can be very challenging. 
  • Mania can sometimes lead to risky behaviors like excessive spending or infidelity. 
  • Mania and depression can impact self-esteem, affecting emotional connection and intimacy. 

The unpredictable nature of mania or hypomania and depression episodes can make it difficult to know how best to support someone during an episode. But with open communication, education, support, and guidance from a mental health professional, people with bipolar disorder can have healthy and fulfilling relationships.

Types of Bipolar Disorders

Not everyone with bipolar disorder experiences every symptom, and the severity can vary significantly. There are different types of bipolar disorders based on severity and duration. 

  1. Bipolar I Disorder: The severity of the manic episode is significantly disruptive and may require hospitalization with this type of bipolar disorder. Episodes of full mania lasting at least a week (or requiring hospitalization) and depressive episodes lasting at least two weeks.
  • Mania: Extreme highs in mood, energy, racing thoughts, grandiosity, pressured speech, sleeplessness, poor judgment, and impulsive behaviors.
  • Depression: Intense sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest, changes in appetite or sleep, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide.
  1. Bipolar II Disorder: The episodes of hypomania (less severe than full mania) lasting at least four days and major depressive episodes lasting at least two weeks. The manic episodes are milder (hypomania) compared to Bipolar I, but depressive episodes are still significant.
  • Hypomania: Elevated mood, increased energy, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, but to a lesser degree than mania. People may function relatively well during hypomania.
  • Depression: Similar to depression in Bipolar I.
  1. Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia): Several periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms that last for at least two years in adults. These mood swings don’t meet the full criteria for a hypomanic or depressive episode. People experience emotional ups and downs but with less severity than Bipolar I or II, but it still causes impairment in daily life.
  • Hypomanic Symptoms: Elevated mood, increased energy, and mild racing thoughts.
  • Depressive Symptoms: May experience sadness, loss of interest, and changes in sleep or appetite, but not as severe or long-lasting as full depression.

If symptoms don’t fit into the above three categories, it’s referred to as bipolar-related or unspecified bipolar disorder. 

Psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations can occur in bipolar disorders. It’s more frequent during manic episodes but can happen during depressive episodes. Not everyone with bipolar disorder will experience psychotic symptoms. Psychotic episodes can be extremely distressing and make it difficult to function normally. 

If you are concerned about yourself or someone you know experiencing psychosis, it’s important to seek professional help immediately. When it comes to bipolar disorder, early intervention is crucial. Recognizing the signs and changes in troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors associated with mood swings allows for getting the correct diagnosis and starting treatment sooner, leading to better outcomes.

Common Treatments of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition, but with the proper treatment and support, people with bipolar disorder can experience improvement in their overall well-being. Bipolar disorder treatment can include a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. 

Medications:

  • Mood Stabilizers: These are medications that help to regulate mood swings and prevent further episodes of mania or depression. 
  • Antidepressants: Bipolar depression may be treated with antidepressant medication but usually alongside mood stabilizers. 
  • Antipsychotics: These medications may be used as treatments for psychotic symptoms. 

Therapy: 

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy empowers individuals to recognize and adjust negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to mood swings in bipolar disorder.
  • Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT): Focusing on routine, IPSRT helps establish regular sleep schedules, daily activities, and social interactions, which can significantly impact mood regulation for people with bipolar disorder.
  • Family-Focused Therapy: This therapy approach incorporates family members into the treatment process. By improving communication, support, and understanding of bipolar disorder, families can become a stronger support system for their loved one.

Lifestyle Changes: 

  • Regular sleep schedule 
  • Healthy diet 
  • Regular exercise 
  • Stress management

A treatment plan for bipolar disorder involves a comprehensive approach tailored to the individual. The most effective treatment plan may take time to establish, but working closely with a mental health professional is crucial for optimal results. 

How Thriving Center of Psych Can Help

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or are concerned about yourself or someone you know, speaking to a mental health professional who specializes in bipolar disorder is a step toward a brighter future. 

Thriving Center of Psych will work with you to get a clear picture of the challenges you’re facing and tailor a treatment plan entirely around you, which can include one or a combination of the following: 

  • Therapy: Therapists experienced in treating bipolar disorder use therapy approaches like CBT or IPSRT to help manage symptoms, develop coping mechanisms, and improve overall well-being. 
  • Psychiatry: Our psychiatric services team specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. A caring and compassionate psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner can work with you to find the right medication to manage your symptoms and prevent future episodes. 

When to Contact a Qualified Therapist

Remember that bipolar disorder is highly treatable, and those with bipolar disorder can manage symptoms and lead fulfilling lives. Bipolar disorder is a condition that needs ongoing management, but with effective treatment, people with bipolar disorder can experience improvement in their symptoms and overall well-being. 

If you notice changes in mood, behavior, and difficulty functioning, it might be time to contact a therapist about bipolar disorder. Even if you are not experiencing all symptoms, it’s always best to seek professional help from a therapist if you have any concerns about bipolar disorder for yourself or someone you know. 

A therapist can assess your symptoms, provide a diagnosis (if bipolar disorder is present), and develop a treatment plan that empowers you to manage your moods and live a happier and healthier life. 

If you’re concerned about bipolar disorder, don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified professional. Here at Thriving Center of Psych, we have an experienced team of psychiatrists and therapists who specialize in treating bipolar disorder and other mood disorders. 

Contact Thriving Center of Psych today for a free consultation and see how we can help you.