Everyone experiences ups and downs, but with bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression), these peaks and valleys are far more pronounced than they may seem. Bipolar disorder causes severe shifts in mood, energy, thinking, and behavior, ranging from the highs of mania to the depths of depression. More than just a brief good or bad mood, the episodes of bipolar disorder can last for days, weeks, or even months. These mood changes are so powerful that they can significantly impact your school or job performance, damage relationships, and disrupt your daily functioning.
During a depressive episode, you might feel too tired to get out of bed, overwhelmed by self-loathing and a sense of hopelessness in difficult situations. While the exact causes of bipolar disorder aren’t fully understood, it’s often considered to be hereditary. The initial manic or depressive episode typically occurs in the teenage years or early adulthood. The signs can be subtle yet confusing, often leading to ignorance or misdiagnosis, which results in needless suffering.
Since bipolar disorder tends to worsen without treatment, it’s crucial to understand its symptoms. Recognizing the problem is the first step toward feeling better and getting your life back on track.
Signs of Bipolar Disorder
There are several types of bipolar and related disorders, which may involve episodes of mania or hypomania and depression. The symptoms can cause unpredictable changes in mood and behavior, leading to significant distress and challenges in life.
Although bipolar disorder can manifest at any age, it’s typically diagnosed in the early teenage years or early 20s.
- Bipolar I Disorder:
- You have experienced at least one manic episode, which may have been preceded or followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes. In some cases, mania can trigger a break from reality (psychosis).
- Bipolar II Disorder:
- You have experienced major depressive episodes and at least one hypomanic episode, but you have never had a full manic episode.
- Bipolar II disorder isn’t a milder form of bipolar I disorder; it’s a distinct diagnosis. While the manic episodes of bipolar I disorder can be severe and dangerous, individuals with bipolar II disorder can experience prolonged periods of depression, which can cause significant impairment.
- Cyclothymic Disorder:
- This diagnosis might apply if you have experienced numerous periods of hypomania symptoms and periods of depressive symptoms for at least two years (or one year in children and teenagers). The symptoms are less severe than those of full-blown mania or major depression.
- Other Types:
- This category includes bipolar and related disorders induced by substances (like alcohol) or due to a medical condition, such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, or Cushing’s disease.
Mania and Hypomania
While mania and hypomania are distinct types of episodes, they often share similar symptoms. Mania is more severe than hypomania and leads to more noticeable problems at work, school, and in social activities, as well as relationship difficulties. Mania can also trigger a break from reality (psychosis) and often necessitates hospitalization.
Both manic and hypomanic episodes typically include three or more of these symptoms:
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Usually upbeat, jumpy, or wired mood
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Increased activity, energy, or agitation
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Exaggerated sense of well-being and self-confidence
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Decreased need for sleep
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Unusual talkativeness
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Racing thoughts
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Distractibility
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Poor decision-making
Major Depressive Episode
A major depressive episode includes symptoms severe enough to cause noticeable difficulty in daily activities, such as work, school, social events, or relationships. This episode typically includes five or more of these symptoms:
- Depressed mood, such as feeling sad, empty, or hopeless. In children and adolescents, this may appear as irritability.
- Marked loss of interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities.
- Significant weight loss when not dieting, or weight gain; or a decrease or increase in appetite.
- Insomnia (difficulty sleeping) or hypersomnia (sleeping too much).
- Psychomotor agitation (restlessness) or retardation (slowed movements) observable by others.
- Fatigue or loss of energy.
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt.
- Reduced ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness.
- Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or specific plan for committing suicide.
Living with Bipolar Disorder
The signs and symptoms of bipolar I and bipolar II disorder can include various features such as anxious distress, melancholia, or psychosis. The presentation of symptoms may also include diagnostic specifiers such as mixed features or rapid cycling. Furthermore, bipolar symptoms can occur during pregnancy or vary with the seasons.
While there is no definitive cure for bipolar disorder, getting treatment at the initial sign of any mental health disorder can help prevent bipolar disorder or other mental health conditions from worsening. If you are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a proper treatment plan can help you manage symptoms and prevent full-blown episodes of mania or depression. If you or someone you know needs help with managing bipolar disorder, give us a call at 866-478-4383 to discuss your options.