Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Types, Medication, and Treatment

What is Bipolar Disorder?

The word bipolar means two extremities or two furthest points of a limit. In bipolar disorder, before known as manic depression, people suffer from two extremities or episodes of mood swings ranging from elevated happiness (elation) or manic highs to feeling low mood or episodes of depression. 

Bipolar Disorder Definition

Bipolar disorder also known as Manic depression is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings which also include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).

Types of Bipolar Disorder

There are three main types of Bipolar Disorder:

• Bipolar I
• Bipolar II
• Cyclothymic Disorder

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

10 basic symptoms of bipolar anxiety found in the majority of cases

• Depressed mood
• Weight loss
• Either insomnia or sleeping too much
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Suicidal Thoughts
• Feeling inappropriate guilt
• Indecisiveness
• Anxious distress
• Psychosis
• Euphoria

Bipolar I Disorder

• The severe manic episodes along with psychosis in which it is difficult to differentiate between reality and what is not real are called mania and the person being diagnosed with Bipolar I.
• People with Bipolar I experience depressive episodes also but these symptoms are not examined for the diagnosis of Bipolar I rather manic episodes are observed.
• During a manic phase, the person feels more impulsive than usual, feels invincible, and takes harsh decisions on a whim.
• Racing thoughts, sleeplessness, and rapid speech are also some symptoms.
• Symptoms of psychosis are also experienced where the person finds it difficult to differentiate between what is real and what is not real; hallucinations are also observed.
• Bipolar I includes shifts in moods that are abnormal to the person’s usual behavior which can last for a whole day.
• If the manic episodes last for more than a week, immediate hospital care is needed.

Bipolar II Disorder

• Similar to Bipolar I, Bipolar II also includes elation and depressive lows, but here depressive episodes are more severe and the manic episodes are subordinated and this minor manic symptomatic type is called hypomania.
• Hypomania symptoms are less severe than mania.
• The minor mood changes may in hypomania be noticed by the ones who are close to you.
• Major depressive symptoms may include feeling deep sadness, anger, guilt, hopelessness, loss of energy, changed sleep pattern, change in appetite, and suicidal thoughts.
• For the person to be diagnosed with Bipolar II, the person should have had at least one dominant episode of depression which can last for 2 weeks or longer, and one of hypomania which can last up to 4 days.
• Similar to Bipolar I, it also includes psychosis but only during the period of depression.
• The person can experience both depression and hypomania symptoms at the same time.

Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia)

• Cyclothymia may occur from the age of 6 and can evolve into Bipolar I or Bipolar II.
• In this type of bipolar disorder, both the episodes of elation (highs) and depression (lows) do not meet the severity of hypomania and depression, i.e., Bipolar I and Bipolar II, but still, need to be taken care of. 
• The symptoms may last for over 2 years or longer and may come and go.
• The period of interval or absence between episodes is no longer than 2 months.
• Cyclothymic Bipolar Disorder may be less severe and is manageable but they tend to last longer than Bipolar I and Bipolar II which makes it difficult to focus and find balance in daily life activities.

Causes and Contributing factors

Though it is unknown exactly why people are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, some possible factors include

Is bipolar disorder genetic?

• Bipolar disorder is frequently inherited, with genetic factors accounting for approximately 80% of the cause of the condition. If any of your blood relatives have bipolar disorder, there are chances that you might develop it too.
• Though it is not necessary even if most people in your family have or had a history of bipolar disorder, you may not develop it.
• You can still develop it even if you don’t have any family history of bipolar disorder.

 Brain or Neurotic Structure

• One of the reasons for having bipolar disorder is brain chemistry.
• Unhealthy neural connections are a major contributing factor and the brain sends confusing signals that result in unusual thoughts and behavior.
• Even psychotic phases like paranoia and hallucinations in extreme cases. Excessive a neurotransmitter called dopamine is also a factor.

Environmental Factors

• Outside forces can also play a role in attributing bipolar disorder. Mental and physical stress, health condition, and past trauma are the most typical factors.
• You might also have other mental health conditions like eating disorders, anxiety, phobias, substance use disorders, and ADHD.
• The occurrence of these conditions depends on the severity of your bipolar phase, for example, anxiety generally occurs with a depressive episode, and substance use can occur with a manic episode.
• Medical conditions that can develop with bipolar disorder are migraine, heart disease, diabetes, and thyroid diseases.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but it doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be taken care of. With the help of possible treatments, it can be managed and your daily life is not affected by keeping the symptoms minimum.

Medication For Bipolar Disorder

Many people use medication treatment for bipolar disorder like

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is also the most common and effective treatment for bipolar disorder. It includes:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy is ‘talk therapy’ where the patient talks about the symptoms with a trained practitioner and learns about his condition to try and understands his thought patterns and learn coping strategies.
• Psychoeducation is trying to understand bipolar disorder and possible treatment which also helps in the long run.
• One can notice or recognize the disorder in early stages in other people and help them too with their own experiences and coping methods.
• Interpersonal or social rhythm therapy where one can better by focusing on having a balanced daily routine, like having a regular sleep cycle, eating healthy, and regular exercising.
• Electroconvulsive therapy where one treated with controlled seizures given to the brain to regulate the neurological order.
• Acupuncture where pressure points are targeted through needles by a trained professional and meditation also helps.

Taking supplements

• Taking supplements may help in stabilizing mood and may lower the symptoms when combined with therapy.
• Omega 3 is shown to be helpful with depressive symptoms according to research done.
• Rhodiola Rosea plant is suggested to be helpful while dealing with depression.
• S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is a supplement with amino acids which also helps with depressive symptoms and other disorders related to moods and thoughts.

 Summary

Coping and finding a balance between the two ends of highs and lows related to bipolar disorder is difficult but talking about it with a trained professional or in general opening your thoughts with your close ones will give you hope and strength to improve yourself.

Talking is always the first step. And if you find or think someone might be going through it, talk to them and help those who are mentally confused about the disorder. It might encourage them to find help.