Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental condition that causes intense shifts in mood, energy levels, and behavior. These shifts can last for hours, days, weeks, or months and can interrupt your ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
There are several types of bipolar and related disorders including:
There are several types of bipolar and related disorders including:
- Bipolar I disorder
- Bipolar II disorder
- Cyclothymia
- Other types of bipolar and related disorders that are caused by certain drugs, alcohol, or due to a medical condition such as Cushing’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or stroke
Many people with bipolar disorder experience both hypomanic/manic and depressive episodes. These changing mood states don’t always follow a set pattern, and depression doesn’t always follow manic phases. A person may also experience the same mood state several times with periods of a state of mental tranquility and stability that’s free of mood disturbances called euthymia in between, before experiencing the opposite mood.
Mood changes in bipolar disorder can happen over weeks, months, and sometimes years. An important aspect of mood changes is that they are a departure from your regular self and that the mood change is sustained for a long time. It can be several days or weeks in the case of mania and several weeks or months in the case of depression.
The severity of the depression and manic phases can differ from person to person and in the same person at different times.
Some people with bipolar disorder will have episodes of mania or hypomania many times throughout their life while others may rarely experience them. Signs and symptoms of a manic episode include:
Mood changes in bipolar disorder can happen over weeks, months, and sometimes years. An important aspect of mood changes is that they are a departure from your regular self and that the mood change is sustained for a long time. It can be several days or weeks in the case of mania and several weeks or months in the case of depression.
The severity of the depression and manic phases can differ from person to person and in the same person at different times.
Some people with bipolar disorder will have episodes of mania or hypomania many times throughout their life while others may rarely experience them. Signs and symptoms of a manic episode include:
- Excessive happiness, hopefulness, and excitement
- Sudden and severe changes in mood, such as going from joyful to angry and hostile.
- Restlessness
- Rapid speech and racing thoughts
- Increased energy and less need for sleep
- Increased impulsivity and poor judgment
- Making grand and unattainable plans
- Reckless and risk-taking behavior, such as drug and alcohol misuse
- Psychosis, such as experiencing hallucinations and delusions (in the most severe manic episodes)
Most of the time, people experiencing a manic episode are unaware of the negative consequences of their actions. With bipolar disorder, suicide is an ever-present dancer with some people becoming suicidal in manic episodes, not just in depressive ones.
If a person is having an intense manic episode, especially if they’re experiencing hallucinations and delusions, they may need to be hospitalized to protect themselves and others from harm.
Some people with bipolar disorder can have milder manic-like symptoms called hypomania. When experiencing hypomania, you may feel great and feel like you can get a lot done. You can feel like nothing is wrong during an episode of hypomania, however, family and friends may notice your mood swings and activity level changes and think they’re unusual for you.
After a hypomanic episode, you might experience severe depression. The symptoms of depressive episodes in bipolar disorder are the same as those of major depression, including:
If a person is having an intense manic episode, especially if they’re experiencing hallucinations and delusions, they may need to be hospitalized to protect themselves and others from harm.
Some people with bipolar disorder can have milder manic-like symptoms called hypomania. When experiencing hypomania, you may feel great and feel like you can get a lot done. You can feel like nothing is wrong during an episode of hypomania, however, family and friends may notice your mood swings and activity level changes and think they’re unusual for you.
After a hypomanic episode, you might experience severe depression. The symptoms of depressive episodes in bipolar disorder are the same as those of major depression, including:
- Overwhelming sadness
- Low energy and fatigue
- Lack of motivation
- Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
- Loss of enjoyment of things that were once pleasurable for you
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Uncontrollable crying
- Irritability
- Increased need for sleep
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- A change in appetite that causes weight loss or gain
- Thoughts of death or suicide
The symptoms of a mixed episode include both manic and depressive symptoms together. During a mixed episode, you have the negative feelings and thoughts that come with depression but also feel agitated, restless, and high energy.
Scientists don’t know the exact cause of bipolar disorder, but they believe there is a strong genetic component. Bipolar disorder is considered one of the most heritable psychiatric conditions with more than two-thirds of people with bipolar disorder having at least one close biological relative with the condition. However, just because you may have a biological relative with bipolar disorder, doesn’t necessarily mean you will develop it.
Other factors that scientists believe contribute to the development of bipolar disorder include:
Scientists don’t know the exact cause of bipolar disorder, but they believe there is a strong genetic component. Bipolar disorder is considered one of the most heritable psychiatric conditions with more than two-thirds of people with bipolar disorder having at least one close biological relative with the condition. However, just because you may have a biological relative with bipolar disorder, doesn’t necessarily mean you will develop it.
Other factors that scientists believe contribute to the development of bipolar disorder include:
- Changes in your brain
- Environmental factors such as trauma and stress
To diagnose bipolar disorder, a healthcare provider may use a physical exam, ask about your medical history, and perform medical tests and a medical evaluation.
Treatment for bipolar disorder can help many people, including those with the most severe forms of bipolar disorder. An effective treatment plan usually consists of a combination of the following therapies:
Treatment for bipolar disorder can help many people, including those with the most severe forms of bipolar disorder. An effective treatment plan usually consists of a combination of the following therapies:
- Psychotherapy
- Medications
- Self-management strategies such as education and identifying the early symptoms of an episode or possible triggers of episodes
- Helpful lifestyle habits such as exercise, yoga, and meditation
- Other therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, so treatment is a lifelong commitment. It can sometimes take several months to years before you and your healthcare provider find a comprehensive treatment plan that works best for you.
If you need the assistance and support of a mental health professional at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-5575, to schedule an appointment.
