Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes changes in a person’s mood, where they experience extreme highs and lows in their mood and energy levels, and can have an impact on their daily functioning.
In bipolar disorder, the mood changes are categorized as periods of extremely elevated and irritable emotions (manic or hypomanic episodes) and depressive episodes. These episodes can occur for days to weeks. Bipolar disorder can be further categorized into Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and cyclothymia
During manic and hypomanic episodes, the following changes in behavior may be seen:
- Elevated mood
- Decreased need for sleep
- Increased talkativeness or faster speech
- Increased activity, energy or agitation
- Racing thoughts or quickly changing topics
- Distractibility
- Increased risky behavior, impulsive behavior, poor decision making
- Inflated self-confidence and sense of wellbeing
These behaviors are commonly impair their daily functioning, work and relationships.They may be severe enough to require hospital care.
Common symptoms of depressive episodes include:
- Low mood
- Severe fatigue
- Loss of interest in activities that they usually enjoy
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in sleep
- Worthlessness or guilt
- Feeling suicidal or suicidal thoughts
Bipolar I involves having one or more manic episodes or mixed manic and depressive episodes. Bipolar II involves one or more depressive episodes and one episode of hypomania. Cyclothymia is a milder form which involves cyclical periods of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms but not severe enough to qualify as hypomanic or depressive episodes.
The exact causes of bipolar disorder are unknown and can be multifactorial:
- Genetics:more common in those with a family member with bipolar disorder
- Brain structure: biological differences
- Environmental factors
- Extreme stress, traumatic experiences
Bipolar may coexist with other conditions including anxiety, substance abuse, ADHD, with risk of suicide.
The first step is to seek help from a medical doctor or a psychiatrist. Treatment usually involves a variety of strategies including medication and psychotherapy.
If you suspect that you or those around you are suffering from bipolar, speak to a mental health professional right away. It is essential to get diagnosed and treated early.
