Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, which used to be known as manic-depressive disorder, is a mental health condition characterized by extreme shifts in mood and energy. While everyone experiences emotional highs and lows, in some capacity, bipolar is a more severe shift that can impact the way you function in your life in a substantial way. An estimated 4.4% of adults in the United States will experience bipolar disorder at some point in their lifetime.

The emotional lows experienced with bipolar disorder are similar to the sad and hopeless feelings of depression. However, with bipolar disorder, your mood also shifts to euphoric and energetic feelings, also known as mania. For some, these mood swings may occur rarely or multiple times within a year.

What does bipolar disorder feel like?

Bipolar disorder is a difficult thing to diagnose, especially when you’re younger. Sometimes it is hard to tell if you’re going through hormone changes or if mental health problems are the concern. For others, experiencing the emotional and energetic high feels great which means someone might be less likely to seek help. Some of the symptoms may also be attributed to another illness or issue — not just strictly bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder symptoms can be broken down into two categories: mania and depression. If you’re not sure, keeping track of your mood changes can help. If symptoms don’t follow monthly patterns or last longer than a week — it’s worth taking a bipolar screen. Taking a screen and getting answers is also helpful if you notice a change that doesn’t feel normal for you or your friends.

Mania

Excessive energy
Racing thoughts
Extreme euphoric feelings
Easily irritated or distracted
Decreased need for sleep
Exaggerated self-confidence
Uncharacteristically poor judgment
Unusual change in behaviors — shopping for odd items in odd ways (like an unusual amount of things), increase in pleasurable activities that are not normal for that person.
Changes in beliefs that seem strange.
Potential signs of psychosis

Depression

Irritability
Loss of energy
Restlessness
Chronic pain
Digestive issues
Feelings of hopelessness
Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood
Changes in sleep patterns
Differences in appetite
Fluctuating weight
Difficulty concentration
Thoughts of suicide or death

What are the different forms of bipolar disorder?

Research has shown that bipolar disorder tends to run in families, and it is usually triggered by environmental factors. Your brain structure, development, and chemistry can also play a role. Here are some of the different ways that depression manifests itself:

Bipolar I Disorder

Bipolar I Disorder is diagnosed when a person has experienced one or more episodes of mania. Most people with Bipolar I will likely experience both mania and depression. The episodes of mania must last for at least a week.

Bipolar II Disorder

Bipolar II is a subset of bipolar disorder that includes both a major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode. Hypomania is a less severe type of mania, which includes all of the same symptoms, and lasts for a shorter period of time.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Cyclothymic Disorder, also known as cyclothymia, includes episodes of both hypomania and depressive symptoms that occur regularly. The mood shifts may not be as extreme, compared to Bipolar I and Bipolar II Disorder, but it could progress later to more severe symptoms of mania and depression.

How to live with bipolar disorder

Talk about it

While bipolar disorder can feel extremely isolating, remember that millions of people have struggled with their mental health in some way. Sharing what you’re going through can be very healing, and you may learn from other's experiences, as well.

Therapy

Therapy can be an amazing resource to help you with your bipolar disorder. It can help transform the way that you're feeling, and give you the tools to handle the emotions associated with bipolar disorder. If you think that the cost of therapy won’t fit with your budget, here are five out-of-the box ways to work therapy into your life.

Meditation

Meditation can also be a great resource for those with bipolar disorder. With commitment and practice, you can begin to assess the highs and lows that you experience, and to shift the negative thinking you may be experiencing. Meditation can help you create some space between those thoughts and your reactions. If you’re ready to give meditation a try, use these 10 easy steps to meditation as a guide to get started.

A healthy lifestyle

While not a replacement for treatment, eating a healthy diet, drinking more water, exercising regularly and getting a good night’s rest can help when you’re working through the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Just general lifestyle changes can be a really powerful way to support your treatment with bipolar disorder.

Medication

Medication can be a great addition to a treatment plan, and there are multiple different types of medications for your symptoms of bipolar disorder. Your doctor can help you decide which medication is best for you and what can help your bipolar disorder in the most efficient way.

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but with a combination of treatments, many people are able to stabilize their mood and aren’t prohibited by the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Take a free mental health screen

A mental health screen is a simple series of questions to help you check in with your mental health. Mental Health America’s online screening tool is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Your results aren’t a diagnosis, but they’re a great place to start and a baseline to figure out next steps. We encourage you to share them with your doctor so they can help you get any support you may need.

TAKE A SCREEN TODAY