Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Treatment, and Management

Do you ever see your friend who behaves weirdly sometimes they are happy, but other times they feel aggressive or depressed. It must be because of bipolar disorder. In this condition, people have two types of personalities. However, you can treat the condition with therapies, lifestyles, and medications. Furthermore, when a person feels emotionally high called mania and when feels low called hypomania. 

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar Disorder, formerly known as manic depression. It is a mental disorder in which a person faces rapid mood swings and behavioural and energy level changes. In this condition, manic and hypomanic conditions can be seen. In manic, the emotions and behaviour are high. They behave abnormally energetically and happily. Similarly, in hypomanic conditions, a person seems depressing behaviour. However, the two of each lasted from days to weeks.

Globally, the conditions affect 2-3% of people. But in the U.S., approximately 3% of people have bipolar illness. It is most likely to be noticed in the age group of 20 and 25 years old. It grows rapidly if you are at the stage of work, education, social life, family, and cognition. Furthermore, people with manic depression may have financial, social or work-related problems. 

Symptoms 

Here are the major symptoms that are noticeable in the person with the disorder. However, it can be hypomania or mania. So, let’s check them out:

Hypomania or Mania

Hypomania and mania are two different conditions, but they share the same symptoms. However, mania is more dangerous than hypomania.  

• Extremely active and energetic
• Highly good and active mood
• Restlessness
• Increased sex drive
• Concentration difficulty
• Jumping from one thought to another
• Unusually rapidly talking 
• Experiencing hallucinations and delusions
• Risk-taking behaviour
• Sleep deprivation

Depressive symptoms

Here are some of the depressive symptoms that can be seen in patients. These symptoms contribute to and complicate your day-to-day activities. 

• Anxiety and overwhelming sadness
• Loss of interest or feeling
• Sleep pattern changes (waking up too early, excessive sleep, and difficulty in sleep)
• Lack of motivation
• Low energy and high mood swings
• Difficulty in day-to-day tasks
• Feeling too guilty for no mistakes
• Uncontrollable crying
• Suicidal ideation
• Weight gain or loss
• Feeling invaluable

Types of bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder can be of various types depending on the stage of your condition. If you have this disorder, it is important to know the type. 

1. Bipolar 1

People may have manic episodes for a week or two. In this condition, you may feel an extreme increase in energy and mood changes. Depressive disorders are also noticeable in the patients. Sometimes, they can be severe and require proper medication and treatment. 

2. Bipolar II disorder

In this disorder, a person may feel hypomania episodes for four days to a week. They can also feel at least one depressive episode during the disorder. People with this disorder can also face other mental illnesses, such as anxiety disorder. Later, it can stretch and cause severe depression. 

3. Cyclothymia

Cyclothymia is a condition in which you get both hypomania and mania symptoms for over 2 years. Moreover, it is a mild form of bipolar disorder. Sometimes, people can develop into bipolar 1 or bipolar 2. 

Treatment and Complications of Bipolar Disorder

Treatment:

The disorder has treatment, however, if the condition is not treated at the right time, it can last over 6 months. Moreover, depressive episodes can also last longer than six months to a year. The disorder can be treated by multiple treatments, such as:

1. Medicines: Medicines can be used to treat the disorder and mood swings. It helps in balancing the mood and also prevents episodes of mania and depression. If you have had the disorder for a longer time, the medicine is beneficial for you. Furthermore, you will have to take the medicine for the rest of your life even if you feel better. 

2. Mental health assessment: Regular attending the sessions and taking talk therapies can be helpful in the treatment of the disorder. In talk therapy, your doctor asks you a list of questions and you must answer them. Moreover, you can share your feelings with the doctor.

3. Lifestyle changes: You should make some changes in your lifestyle such as proper sleep, yoga, exercise, and diet. 

Complications:

Here are the major complications of Bipolar Disorder such as:

• Drug and alcohol misuse
• Suicide attempts
• Financial problems
• Poor performance in activities

Last Line

Bipolar disorder should be treated as soon as possible as it can lead to death by suicide. It can affect in two ways: Mania and Hypomania. In mania, it is noticeable that a person has peak emotions, energy and good mood. Whereas in hypomania, a person can have a loss of interest, restlessness, behavioural changes and more. Changing your lifestyle, therapies, and medicines can make a person fit and live their life normally. 

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