This is a mental health disease in which an individual experiences mood changes from mania to depression. Fortunately, several treatment options are available nonetheless it is difficult to treat bipolar disorder. This is not a rare mental condition and affects about 5 million people in the U.S. according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
This mental disorder is known as bipolar disorder and manic depression. Check below the main symptoms of bipolar disorder:
- Low mood or depression
- Extremely increased mood or mania
In this document, we will talk about bipolar treatments, symptoms, causes, and others.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymia are three types of bipolar disorder. Check these types below in detail:
Bipolar I
In this type of bipolar disorder, at least one manic or hypomanic episode may occur. Hypomanic episodes usually are less severe than manic. In severe cases, major depression may occur after the manic episode. Bipolar I usually affects men and women equally.
Bipolar II
Patients who experience this type of bipolar disorder will notice one major depressive episode, which may last up to two weeks. Bipolar II is more common in females.
Cyclothymia
Symptoms that a person experiences in this type of bipolar disorder are less severe than with Bipolar I and Bipolar II episodes.
However, there are symptoms that are not associated with these three types of bipolar disorder. Therefore, you may get a diagnosis of other specified or unspecified bipolar and related disorders.
Symptoms
If you experience at least one episode of mania or hypomania, you may be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Check below some examples:
Bipolar I
Commonly, the symptoms are different among patients. It depends on the severity of the bipolar disorder experience and other factors. Examples include:
- Suddenly flying from one idea to the next
- Rapid and loud speech
- Inflated self-image
- Excessive spending
- Hypersexuality
- Substance abuse
- Elevated levels of energy and decreased need for sleep
In some cases, people who experience Bipolar I may notice manic and depressive symptoms at the same time. Therefore, their mood may change from one pole to another during the one day.
Bipolar II
Symptoms of Bipolar II include:
- Increased libido and energy
- Reckless behaviors
- Risky pleasure-seeking behaviors
- Exuberant and elated mood
- Increased confidence
- Extreme ability to concentrate on projects at home or work
- A reduced necessity for sleep
Cyclothymia
Check below the most common symptoms of this type of bipolar disorder:
- Racing thoughts
- Tendency to be easily distracted
- Concentrating problems
- Excessive physical activity
- Prolonged speech
- Extreme optimism
This condition does not have a serious impact on your daily life.
Mania, Hypomania, and Major Depressive Episodes
Impulsive behavior or you may feel untouchable and invincible may occur if a person experiences a manic episode. Check some behavior examples below:
- Going on spending sprees
- Misuse of alcoholic beverages and drugs
- Sex without any protection
Check below other ways of impulsiveness that may occur:
- Drive faster than usual
- Big investment on a whim
- Sudden quit the job
Hypomania is usually associated with Bipolar II. People who experience hypomania will notice the same symptoms but less severe. You may feel very energized and productive.
Lethargy, lack of motivation, and sadness may occur when an individual experiences a major depressive episode. In most cases, a person who experiences these episodes will notice at least five of the following symptoms. For example:
- Problems with focusing, concentrating, and making decisions
- Thoughts of death, dying, or suicide
- Guilt or worthlessness sense
- Appetite and weight changes
- Lack of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Persistent restlessness
- Loss of energy
- Long-lasting low mood caused by hopelessness, deep sadness, or emptiness
Additionally, not everyone with bipolar disorder experiences major depressive episodes. Symptoms you will notice depend on the type and severity of the bipolar disorder you experience.
Bipolar Disorder in Children
This mental condition is difficult to diagnose in children because they show different symptoms from those seen in adults. Several symptoms that occur in children can usually occur due to another condition such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, mood changes may occur in all children but bipolar disorder causes are usually distinct and noticeable mood symptoms. Check below some manic symptoms in children:
- Fast speech and subject change
- Trouble concentrating and focusing
- Behaviors that may lead to harmful effects
- Sleeping disturbances and not feeling tired after sleep loss
Check some depressive symptoms in children below:
- Little or much sleeping
- Acting very sad or crying frequently
- Guilt or worthlessness feelings
- Increased or even loss of appetite
- Suicide or death thoughts
- Frequent headaches or stomachaches
In rare cases, child mood, and behavior issues may suggest other health conditions including depression or ADHD. Moreover, a child may experience bipolar disorder and one of the previous mental conditions at the same time.
Treatment Options
The following treatment methods can help you to manage bipolar disorder symptoms. For example medicines, counseling and lifestyle measures, and natural remedies.
Medicines
Physicians usually prescribe the following medicines to treat bipolar disorder. Examples include:
- Mood stabilizers (such as Lithium)
- Antipsychotics (including Olanzapine)
- Antidepressant medicines (such as Fluoxetine)
- Benzodiazepines
Psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy
This treatment option involves talk therapy that usually helps you determine and address unwanted thoughts and change undesired behavior patterns. In addition, your healthcare professional can support you with:
- Understanding thought patterns
- Practicing more helpful coping strategies
- Manage distressing emotions
Other Treatments
Check below other treatment methods:
- Supplements
- Acupuncture
- Sleep medicines
- Electroconvulsive therapy
In any case, you should use any of the previous treatment options with a doctor’s approval only. Otherwise, it may lead to unpleasant results.
Natural Remedies
There are some natural treatments that may help with this mental disorder. The following natural remedies may interact with the medicines you are using. That’s why it is advised to consult with your physician before using any of them. Examples include:
- S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is an amino acid supplement that is usually used to lessen major depression symptoms and other mood disorders. It should be used under medical supervision because it may interact with other drugs.
- Rhodiola Rosea is a plant that may help with moderate depression, according to a review.
- Omega-3 fatty acids could help with Bipolar I symptoms, as per research. Furthermore, one study suggests that this supplement may help in the treatment of depression symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Lifestyle Changes
Certain lifestyle modifications may help to decrease the severity of this mental disorder. For example:
- A balanced diet
- Regular exercise
- Try to lose weight if you are overweight
- Weekly therapy or counseling
However, improvements noticed using these lifestyle changes were not significant but they could help in the bipolar disorder treatment if are used alongside medicines and therapies.
Risk Factors
While bipolar disorder is one of the most common mental disorders, researchers have not found the exact cause of this condition. Check below the potential factors that provoke bipolar disorder:
- Genetics (you are at increased risk of developing bipolar disorder if one of your parents has this mental disease)
- Brain
- Environmental Factors (such as extreme stress, traumatic experiences, physical illness, and others)
Frequently Asked Questions
How to prevent bipolar disorder?
It is not possible to prevent this condition at all. However, you can take steps to decrease the severity of mood episodes and reduce the chance of additional episodes. Talk with a healthcare provider for more details.
How someone can live a normal life with bipolar disorder?
The only way to feel more in control is early diagnosis and treatment. Once mood episodes occur, it may become challenging to manage the symptoms. Ask your physician if you have any questions.
What are medicines that physicians usually prescribe for bipolar disorder?
Medicines include lithium, valproic acid, divalproex sodium, carbamazepine, and lamotrigine. In any case, you should not use any of the drugs listed above without a physician’s prescription because it may lead to unpleasant adverse reactions.
