Bipolar disorder: All you need to know

Bipolar disorder: All you need to know©Shutterstock

Bipolar disorder is one of the most present mental illnesses in the world. However, many do not know exactly what it is. The disorder involves having periods of intense happiness followed by devastating lows, but it’s much more nuanced than that. For instance, there are different types of bipolar disorder that have different symptoms and causes.

This guide will help you understand all about bipolar disorder–the symptoms, the causes, and the treatments.

What is it?

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness. People who have it experience periods of ecstasy (highs) and periods of depression (lows).

Moods

This may just sound like the average individual’s mood swings. However, it is not. These periods of ecstasy and depression can last for weeks or even months.

Common

Bipolar disorder is pretty common in society, although you may not realize it. In the US alone, there have been five million people diagnosed with the disorder.

The symptoms

In adults, a manic episode is a period of extreme exultation. The person will feel euphoric and sometimes engage in unusual behavior.

Mania

During a manic period, individuals often go on huge spending sprees, use drugs, and engage in unprotected sex. It is sometimes hard to realize someone is in a mania because they might just seem to be extremely happy.

Hypomania

Hypomania is similar to mania but less intense. It is possible to go on with normal life but there are noticeable mood changes. With mania, everyday life is less possible.

The symptoms

A period of depression will come before and after the manic episode. The bipolar individual does not have depression but experiences the symptoms of it because of the intense high they experienced.

Depressed episode

When they are feeling depressed, they will have symptoms that may include deep sadness, loss of energy, hopelessness, troubled sleep, suicidal thoughts, and lack of interest in activities they used to like.

Different types

There are three main types of bipolar disorder. With bipolar I disorder the individual has at least one intense manic episode and will likely feel depressed before and after

Bipolar II

Bipolar II is when the individual has a major depressive episode for at least two weeks. It is followed by a hypomanic episode that is about four days long.

Cyclothymia

Cyclothymia is a less severe form of bipolar disorder. The individual will experience hypomania and depression. However, they will have a few months where their mood is stable.

Causes

It is unknown what the direct causes of bipolar disorder are. But there are a few suspected causes. Nevertheless, doctors are certain that it is a chemical problem with the individual’s brain. The problem can be triggered by the following factors.

Genetics

There is strong evidence to suggest that if you have people with a bipolar disorder in your family, then you are more likely to get it. However, even if it is in the family, it is still not certain you will develop it.

Hereditary

It is a slightly different case if a parent has a bipolar disorder. Individuals are four to six times more likely to develop bipolar disorder if one parent has it. Therefore scientists believe that there is a hereditary component in the development of the disorder.

The brain

It is possible that an individual’s brain structures are related to whether or not they develop bipolar disorder. Certain abnormalities may increase their risk of bipolar disorder.

Environmental factors

Things that happen in your life also affect your brain. Incidences that involve extreme stress, trauma, and physical illness increase your risk of bipolar disorder.

Gender

Bipolar disorder seems to affect men and women slightly differently because of the differences in their neurochemistry. Both men and women experience bipolar disorder, in almost equal numbers.

Women

Women are often diagnosed later in their lives than men. They generally have less intense episodes of mania and longer depressive periods. Women can also fall into what is known as “rapid cycling.” This means they will experience at least four manic and depressive episodes in one year. It is also more likely for women to have other conditions at the same time, such as obesity and anxiety. Over their lives, they are also more likely to develop alcohol use disorder.

Men

Men are usually diagnosed with the disorder earlier in life. They are also likely to have substance abuse issues.

Interestingly, men experience longer periods of mania and are more likely to act out during these episodes. For example, they might spend all their money or experience extreme delusions. While women with bipolar disorder are more likely to seek help to avoid the worst from happening, men are not. More men die from suiicide with bipolar disorder because they are less likely to seek medical care.

Bipolar disorder in teens

It is difficult to see if an individual has bipolar symptoms when they are a teenager because they are going through so many moods anyway. Things to look out for are intense mood swings, substance abuse, not sleeping but showing no signs of fatigue, being risky, and being more sexually active and aware than usual. During a depressive period, they will have similar symptoms of depression as adults. They may not eat a lot, not sleep a lot, seem deeply sad, socially inactive, and think about death.

Treatment

Sadly, there is no cure for bipolar disorder, but this does not mean that an individual cannot be happy if they learn to cope with it. Doctors will first recommend medication to try and even out the moods.

Alongside medication, psychotherapy can help. There has been great progress with cognitive behavioral therapy. It teaches people to understand their own thought processes and try to change them rationally.

Psychoeducation

Bipolar disorder is difficult for the sufferer and the people around them. Psychoeducation can help by educating all on what to expect from the disorder and how to handle it in everyday life.

Interpersonal and special rhythm therapy (IPSRT)