Bipolar disorder
The exact cause of
bipolar disorder isn’t known, but a combination of genetics, environment and
altered brain structure and chemistry may play a role.
Manic episodes may
include symptoms such as high energy, reduced need for sleep, and loss of touch
with reality. Depressive episodes may include symptoms such as low energy, low
motivation, and loss of interest in daily activities. Mood episodes last days to
months at a time and may also be associated with suicidal thoughts.
Treatment is usually lifelong and often
involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy.
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness marked
by extreme shifts in mood. Symptoms can include an extremely elevated mood
called mania. They can also include episodes of depression. Bipolar
disorder is also known as bipolar disease or manic
depression.
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness marked by extreme shifts in
mood. Symptoms can include an extremely elevated mood called mania. They can
also include episodes of depression. Bipolar disorder is also known as bipolar
disease or manic depression.
People with bipolar disorder may have trouble managing everyday life tasks at school or work, or maintaining relationships. There’s no cure, but there are many treatment options available that can help to manage the symptoms.
Symptoms:
According to the International Bipolar Association, symptoms
vary between individuals. For some people, an episode can last for several
months or years. Others may experience “highs” and “lows” at the same time or
in quick succession.
In “rapid cycling” bipolar disorder, the person will have four or more episodes within a year.
Mania or Hypomania:
Hypomania and mania are
elevated moods. Mania is more intense than hypomania.
Symptoms can include:
- impaired
judgment
- feeling wired
- sleeping
little but not feeling tired
- a sense of
distraction or boredom
- missing work
or school
- underperforming
at work or school
- feeling able
to do anything
- being
sociable and forthcoming, sometimes aggressively so
- engaging in
risky behavior
- increased
libido
- feeling
exhilarated or euphoric
- having high
levels of self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-importance
- talking a
lot and rapidly
- jumping from
one topic to another in conversation
- having
“racing” thoughts that come and go quickly, and bizarre ideas that the person may act upon
- denying or
not realizing that anything is wrong
Some people with bipolar disorder may spend a lot of money, use
recreational drugs, consume alcohol, and participate in dangerous and
inappropriate activities.
Depressive symptoms:
During an episode of bipolar depression a person may experience:
- a feeling of
gloom, despair, and hopelessness
- extreme sadness
- Insomnia and
sleeping problems
- Anxiety about minor issues
- pain or
physical problems that do not respond to treatment
- a sense of
guilt, which may be misplaced
- eating more
or eating less
- weight loss
or weight gain
- extreme tiredness, fatigue,
and listlessness
- an inability
to enjoy activities or interests that usually give pleasure
- difficulty
focusing and remembering
- irritability
- sensitivity
to noises, smells, and other things that others may not notice
- an inability
to face going to work or school, possibly leading to underperformance
In severe cases, the individual may think about ending their
life and they may act on those thoughts.
Psychosis:
If a “high” or “low” episode is very intense, the person may
experience Psychosis. They may have trouble differentiating between fantasy and reality.
According to the International Bipolar Foundation, psychosis symptoms during a high include hallucinations, which
involve hearing or seeing things that are not there, and delusions, which are
false but strongly felt beliefs. A person who experiences delusions may believe
they are famous, have high-ranking social connections, or have special powers.
During a depressive or “low” episode, they may believe they have
committed a crime or are ruined and penniless.
It is possible to manage all these symptoms with appropriate
treatment.
Types of Bipolar Disorder:
A person may receive a diagnosis of one of three broad types of
bipolar disorder. According to NAMI symptoms occur on a spectrum, and the distinction between the
types is not always clear-cut.
Bipolar I disorder:
For a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder:
- The
individual must have experienced at least one manic episode.
- The person
may have had a previous major depressive episode.
- The doctor
must rule out other disorders, such as schizophrenia and delusional disorder.
Bipolar II disorder:
Bipolar II Disorder involves
periods of hypomania, but depression is often the dominant state.
For a diagnosis of bipolar II disorder, a person must have had:
- one or more
episodes of depression
- at least one
hypomanic episode
- no other
diagnosis to explain the mood shifts
A person with hypomania may feel good and function well, but their mood
will not be stable, and there is a risk that depression will follow.
People sometimes think of bipolar II disorder is a milder version. For many, however, it is simply different NAMI indicates, people with bipolar II disorder may experience more frequent episodes of depression than people with bipolar I disorder.
Bipolar disorders symptoms test:
One test result doesn't make a bipolar disorder diagnosis. Instead, your doctors will use
- Physical exam: a doctor will do a full physical exam. They may also order blood or urine test to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.
- Mental health evaluation: The doctor may refer you to mental health. Professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. These doctors diagnose and treat mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder. During the visit, they will evaluate your mental health and look for signs of bipolar disorder.
- Mood journal. If your doctor suspects your behavior changes are the result of a mood disorder like bipolar, they may ask you to chart your moods. The easiest way to do this is to keep a journal of how you’re feeling and how long these feelings last. Your doctor may also suggest that you record your sleeping and eating patterns.
- Diagnostic criteria. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders (DSM) is an outline of symptoms for various mental health disorders. Doctors can follow this list to confirm a bipolar diagnosis.
Bipolar disorder in children:
Diagnosing bipolar disorder in children is controversial. This is large because children don’t always display the same bipolar disorder symptoms as adults. Their moods and behaviors may also not follow the standards doctors use to diagnose the disorder in adults. Bipolar disorder symptoms that occur in children also overlap with symptoms from a range of other disorders that can occur in children, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
However, in the last few
decades, doctors and mental health professionals have come to recognize the
condition in children. A diagnosis can help children get treatment, but
reaching a diagnosis may take many weeks or months. Your child may need to seek
special care from a professional trained to treat children with mental health
issues.
Like adults, children
with bipolar disorder experience episodes of elevated mood. They can appear
very happy and show signs of excitable behavior. These periods are then
followed by depression. While all children experience mood changes, changes
caused by bipolar disorder are very pronounced. They’re also usually more
extreme than a child’s typical change in mood.
Manic
symptoms in children:
Symptoms of a child’s manic episode caused by bipolar disorder can include:
- acting very silly and feeling overly happy
- talking fast and rapidly changing subjects
- having trouble focusing or concentrating
- doing risky things or experimenting with risky
behaviors
- having a very short temper that leads quickly to
outbursts of anger
- having trouble sleeping and not feeling tired
after sleep loss
Depressive
symptoms in children:
Symptoms of a Child's depressive episode caused by bipolar disorder can include:
- moping around or acting very sad
- sleeping too much or too little
- having little energy for normal activities or
showing no signs of interest in anything
- complaining about not feeling well, including
having frequent headaches or stomachaches
- experiencing feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- eating too little or too much
- thinking about death and possibly suicide.
Other
possible diagnoses:
Some of the behavior
issues you may witness in your child could be the result of another
condition. ADHD and other behavior disorders can occur in children with bipolar
disorder. Work with your child’s doctor to document your child’s unusual
behaviors, which will help lead to a diagnosis.
Finding the correct diagnosis can help your child’s doctor determine treatments that can help your child live a healthy life.
Bipolar disorder in teens:
Angst-filled behavior is
nothing new to the average parent of a teenager. The shifts in hormones, plus
the life changes that come with puberty, can make even the most well-behaved teen seem a
little upset or overly emotional from time to time. However, some teenage
changes in mood may be the result of a more serious condition, such as bipolar
disorder.
A bipolar disorder
diagnosis is most common during the late teens and early adult years. For
teenagers, the more common symptoms of a manic episode include:
- being very happy
- “acting out” or misbehaving
- taking part in risky behaviors
- abusing substances
- thinking about sex more than usual
- becoming overly sexual or sexually active
- having trouble sleeping but not showing signs of
fatigue or being tired
- having a very short temper
- having trouble staying focused, or being easily distracted
For teenagers, the more
common symptoms of a depressive episode include:
- sleeping a lot or too little
- eating too much or too little
- feeling very sad and showing little excitability
- withdrawing from activities and friends
- thinking about death and suicide
