What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness. "bi" stands for two, so as the name may suggest, a person with bipolar disorder has two moods. These two moods shift from the extremes on both sides of the spectrum. Sometimes, a person with bipolar disorder may experience episodes of mania. In this state, a person has an extremely elevated mood. This very person can experience extreme lows, or depression.

Bipolar disorder often causes people to have trouble managing their daily tasks such as working, going to school, and maintaining regular relationships. The average age that someone develops bipolar disorder is around 25 years old.

Bipolar Disorder Types

Bipolar disorder has several types and disorders related to it. Let’s review each type:

Bipolar 1

Bipolar 1 disorder, or manic depressive disorder, is a mental illness that involves at least one manic episode. This manic episode is an extremely elevated mood and/or extremely high energy level, usually followed by abnormal behavior that affects a person’s life. In addition, a person with this type of bipolar disorder will suffer from episodes of depression. These cycles of manic and depression will continue into this person’s future.

Bipolar II

Like bipolar ! disorder, bipolar II disorder involves cycling moods of highs and lows. The difference between the two is that a person with bipolar II does not have mania levels of highs. However, like bipolar I, a person with bipolar II still suffers from depression.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Comparing cyclothymic disorder to bipolar I and bipolar II disorders, it is relatively mild. A person with this disorder will have moods of mild depression and then moods of an elevate mood called hypomania. These highs and lows of a person with cyclothymic disorder never reach full on mania or major depressive levels.

Symptoms

Symptoms of mania and hypomania

Let’s discuss the symptoms of both mania and hypomania. Some symptoms of mania and hypomania include:

Upbeat in energy or activity

Energetic, or amped feelings

Overconfidence, extreme sense of well-being

Less sleep required

Lots of talking

Impulsive spending

Decision making that lacks judgment

Feelings of being distracted

Higher than usual sex drive

Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder

Here are some symptoms of major depressive episodes:

Feeling sad, hopeless, having a feeling of emptiness

Lack of interest for once loved activities

Low energy or low motivation

Big changes in weight, such as weight gains and weight losses

Sleeping too little or sleeping too much

Feeling heavy guilt for little to no reason

Lack of concentration, very indecisive behavior

Thinking, planning, or attempting suicide

Can I Be Cured of Bipolar Disorder?

While there is no cure for bipolar disorder, there are treatment options to manage the symptoms. Treatment options include psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy. Most psychotherapy will focus on behavioral strategies you can use to help keep your symptoms more under control. These might include sleeping on a very regular schedule, eating consistently, and identifying situations that might prompt a mood episode. In addition, medications such as mood stabilizers and antipsychotics, can be used to treat the highs and lows of bipolar disorder.

Get Treatment Today

Are you looking for treatment from bipolar disorder? There is hope. Contact a licensed medical professional today.