Bipolar Disorders

Bipolar Disorders is a disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. Bipolar disorder is a relatively common but serious mental health condition that involves changes in mood, energy levels, and attention, alongside other symptoms.

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.

It can severely disrupt a person’s life, but treatment can drastically improve the outlook.

Treatment may not eliminate mood changes entirely, but working closely with a doctor can make symptoms more manageable and maximize quality of life.

 

There are four types of bipolar disorder, including:

 

• Bipolar I disorder: People with bipolar I disorder have experienced one or more episodes of mania. Most people with bipolar I will have episodes of both mania and depression, but an episode of depression isn’t necessary for a diagnosis. The depressive episodes usually last at least two weeks. To be diagnosed with bipolar I, your manic episodes must last at least seven days or be so severe that you need hospitalization. People with bipolar I can also experience mixed states (episodes of both manic and depressive symptoms).

 

• Bipolar II disorder: People with bipolar II experience depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes. But they never experience a full manic episode that’s characteristic of bipolar I disorder. While hypomania is less impairing than mania, bipolar II disorder is often more debilitating than bipolar I disorder due to chronic depression being more common in bipolar II.

 

• Cyclothymic disorder (cyclothymia): People with cyclothymic disorder have a chronically unstable mood state. They experience hypomania and mild depression for at least two years. People with cyclothymia may have brief periods of normal mood (euthymia), but these periods last fewer than eight weeks.

 

• Other specified and unspecified bipolar and related disorders: If a person doesn’t meet the diagnostic criteria for bipolar I, II or cyclothymia but has still experienced periods of clinically significant abnormal mood elevation, it’s considered other specified or unspecified bipolar disorder.

 

SYMPTOMS 

Bipolar Disorders requires a medical diagnosis.

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.

People may experience:

• Mood: mood swings, sadness, elevated mood, anger, anxiety, apathy, apprehension, euphoria, general discontent, guilt, hopelessness, loss of interest, or loss of interest or pleasure in activities

• Behavioural: irritability, risk-taking behaviours, disorganised behaviour, aggression, agitation, crying, excess desire for sex, hyperactivity, impulsivity, restlessness, or self-harm

• Cognitive: unwanted thoughts, delusion, lack of concentration, racing thoughts, slowness in activity, or false belief of superiority

• Psychological: depression, manic episode, agitated depression, or paranoia

• Weight: weight gain or weight loss

• Sleep: difficulty falling asleep or excess sleepiness

• Also common: fatigue or pressure of speech

 

Bipolar disorder appears to result from a combination of factors.

 

• Genetic factors: Bipolar disorder is more common in those who have a family member with the condition. A number of genetic features may be involved.

 

• Biological traits: Research suggests that imbalances in neurotransmitters or hormones that affect the brain may play a role.

 

• Environmental factors: Life events, such as abuse, mental stress, a “significant loss,” or another traumatic event, may trigger an initial episode in a susceptible person.

 

 

Medications and psychotherapy are the most commonly prescribed treatment plans for people suffering from bipolar disorder. And the success rate of these plans is very high if you follow them consistently.

 

Depending on how severe your symptoms are, your provider may prescribe medication to help get you out of a manic or depressive state. Avoiding drugs and alcohol and taking your medication as prescribed—even on days you feel fine—can help you lead a normal, productive life. The most common medications used to treat bipolar:

 

• Mood stabilizers work to level your mood, so it won’t tip toward mania or depression. Lithium is one of the most well-known and effective mood stabilizers for people with bipolar disorder.

 

• Antidepressants work for depressive states, so if that is your most severe symptom, you may also benefit from one of many types of antidepressants prescribed to treat bipolar disorders.

 

• Atypical antipsychotics may be used if your bipolar disorder symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, or severe mania. There are a number of antipsychotics also used in the treatment of bipolar disorders.

 

Psychotherapy Studies show psychotherapy has also been an effective tool for people living with bipolar disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you learn how to change negative or harmful thoughts or behaviors.

 

• Family-focused therapies involve family members and focus on teaching you coping strategies, communication, and problem-solving techniques.

 

• Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) is often used in treating bipolar disorder as well, as this form of psychotherapy focuses on the stabilization of daily rhythms—sleep, wake, mealtimes—to introduce consistent routines to better manage moods.

 

• Dialectical behavior therapy, (DBT) is also an effective treatment for bipolar disorders. DBT concentrates on regulating your emotions better so when you’re manic, you can have tools to help cope, English explains. She says you may do sensory type activities like breath work to calm down or put your feet in water or hold a frozen object to help bring you back to reality and teach you to live in the moment.

 

• Psychoeducation has also been a powerful therapeutic tool to teach those living with bipolar disorder about their condition and how to treat it. This education allows you to notice triggers and impending mood swings so you can seek treatment before a full-blown episode happens.

 

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