“Bipolar robs you of that which is you. It can take from the very core of your being and replace it with something that is completely opposite of who and what you truly are.” - Alyssa Reyans on having bipolar disorder
There is a common misconception that if a person is just normally indecisive, that they are bipolar, however this is absolutely not true. Bipolar disorder (BPD), also previously known as manic depression, is a condition in which the person having it gets frequently extreme mood swings which can go from emotional highs which are also known as mania, to extreme lows which can also include depression. If the person is experiencing an emotional high, they will feel full of energy, sometimes even irritable, and in many cases just euphoric in general. On the other hand, if they are experiencing emotional lows, they will feel extremely depressed and hopeless, and would not be interested in doing any activities, or taking anything up. In various people, these mood swings can have a drastic effect on their lives as it may affect their sleep cycle, judgment, activity, energy, behavior, and the ability of critical thinking. These occurrences of mood swings are usually termed as episodes. These episodes can occur many times a year, or sometimes occur very rarely. Some individuals having this may have strong emotional symptoms while some may not show any symptoms at all.
Mania and Hypomania
Mania and Hypomania are two similar, yet distinct types of episodes, but they usually showcase the same symptoms. Hypomania is not that severe whereas Mania can cause significant problems in your familial, social, or professional life. A hypomanic or manic episode can include three or more of these symptoms, some are:
Being abnormally excited or jumpy
Increased energy
Euphoria
Quick racing thoughts
Impulsive decision making
And many more...
Major Depressive Episode
A major depressive episode can include severe symptoms that can cause noticeable difficulty in everyday life. An episode will include five or more of these listed symptoms:
Loss of pleasure in activities
Depressed mood
Weight loss
Insomnia or oversleeping
Fatigue
Indecisiveness
Excessive guilt
And many more...
Symptoms
There are many types of bipolar disorders and related disorders. Some of these can include depression, mania, and hypomania.
Bipolar I Disorder
A person is said to have this when they have had one manic episode which was either succeeded or preceded by major depressive episodes or hypomania. In some cases, this can also cause psychosis.
Bipolar II Disorder
A person is said to have this when they have had one hypomaniac episode and one major depressive episode. The important distinction in this is that the person should not have had a manic episode.
Cyclothymic Disorder
A person is usually diagnosed with this if they have had 1-2 years of symptoms of hypomania and depression.
Other types
These other types of disorders related to bipolar disorder include Cushing’s Disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and disorders caused due to exposure to certain drugs or alcohol.
Symptoms: Children and Teenagers
The symptoms of bipolar disorder are very difficult to pinpoint in teenagers and children, as it is just difficult to gauge if children are just being moody, have an actual trauma or legitimate stress, etc. In many cases it could be other mental illnesses, and not necessarily bipolar disorder itself. Children and teenagers experience bipolar disorder similarly to adults, but their pattern can be much different. They may also experience different types of episodes. Moods can shift all the time whenever they are having an episode. One giveaway of knowing that children or teenagers are having bipolar disorder is that they will be having mood swings which are more severe than their usual mood swings.
Diagnosis
Bipolar disorder can occur at any age, but it is usually diagnosed in people’s teenage years or their early 20’s. Diagnosis should also be done by a licensed professional, and not by self-diagnosis as it is a very serious disorder and should not be taken lightly.
Causes
Like many other mental illnesses, it is very difficult to find a single cause of bipolar disorder, and it usually occurs because of multiple factors.
Genetics: Bipolar disorder is much more prominent in people who have a sibling, parent, or a close relative with this condition. There is research being done to figure out which genes trigger bipolar disorder in humans.
Biological Differences: People diagnosed with bipolar disorder have different physical changes in their brains. The exact significance of these changes is unknown.
Risk Factors
There are multiple factors which can trigger BPD, these are:
Having a close family member with bipolar disorder. Especially if they are directly related to you.
High consumption of alcohol and/or drugs.
High stress caused due to any traumatic event.
Co-occurring Disorders
If a person has bipolar disorder, they may also have other conditions which could even make their BPD worse, some of these are:
Anxiety disorders
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa
Physical health issues, for example, heart diseases, obesity, or thyroid issues.
Alcohol and/or drug intake.
Preventing BPD
There is no universal way to prevent bipolar disorder, but there are some ways in which prevention is possible.
Decline drugs & alcohol
Consumption of drugs and alcohol can actually make your symptoms much worse, and would make them more recurring.
Look for warning signs
Address the symptoms early so that the episodes can be more controlled, and so the triggers can be avoided. Ask family members and friends for help along with consulting your doctor.
Take medications as told
Take your medicines the way the doctor has prescribed them to you. Do not take any medications without asking for expert consultation, and also do not stop taking them before asking the doctor first.
Treatment
Treatments for bipolar disorder are usually straightforward. It can be usually treated or controlled with medication, and psychotherapy. Each therapy for every person depends on multiple factors including which type of BPD they have.
Conclusion
Bipolar disorder can have many types and can manifest very differently in different people, the treatments for it are not “one size fits all”, but instead they have to specifically be tailored to the person needing them. It is also a type of disorder which should not be taken lightly as it is a source of huge discomfort in people’s lives.
References
healthline.com
mayoclinic.org
nhs.uk
psychiatry.org
webmd.com
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