Bipolar Disorder Overview
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness marked by extreme shifts in mood. Symptoms can include an extremely elevated mood called mania. They can also include episodes of depression. Bipolar disorder is also known as bipolar disease or manic depression. People who have bipolar disorder can have periods in which they feel overly happy and energized and other periods of feeling very sad, hopeless, and sluggish. In between those periods, they usually feel normal. You can think of the highs and the lows as two “poles” of mood, which is why it’s called “bipolar” disorder.
Types of bipolar disorder
There are three main types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymia.
Bipolar I
Bipolar I is defined by the appearance of at least one manic episode. You may experience hypomanic or major depressive episodes before and after the manic episode. This type of bipolar disorder affects men and women equally.
Bipolar II
People with this type of bipolar disorder experience one major depressive episode that lasts at least two weeks. They also have at least one hypomanic episode that lasts about four days. This type of bipolar disorder is thought to be more common in women.
Cyclothymia
People with cyclothymia have episodes of hypomania and depression. These symptoms are shorter and less severe than the mania and depression caused by bipolar I or bipolar II disorder. Most people with this condition only experience a month or two at a time where their moods are stable
Symptoms can include:
- jumping from one topic to another in conversation
- insomnia and sleeping problems
- a sense of guilt, which may be misplaced
- having racing thoughts that come and go quickly
- difficulty focusing and remembering
- anxiety about minor issues and extreme sadness
- a feeling of gloom, despair, and hopelessness
- extreme tiredness, fatigue, and listlessness
- denying or not realizing that anything is wrong
- eating more or eating less, weight loss or weight gain
- pain or physical problems that do not respond to treatment
- an inability to enjoy activities or interests that usually give pleasure
- an inability to face going to work or school, possibly leading to under performance
- irritability, sensitivity to noises, smells, and other things that others may not notice
Treatment for bipolar disorder
Our mental health experts have an intimate knowledge of bipolar disorder in all its forms, and they understand that its symptoms can often feel overwhelming. You may feel hopeless at first, but we want to restore your hope for what lies ahead. We will help to provide clarity around your current situation, allow you to start making peace with your mental health challenges and support you in moving more confidently towards your goals.
Treatment aims to stabilize the person’s mood and reduce the severity of symptoms. The goal is to help the person function effectively in daily life. Psychotherapy can help relieve symptoms and equip a person to manage bipolar disorder. Through cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) and other approaches, the individual can learn to:
- recognize and take steps to manage key triggers, such as stress
- identify early symptoms of an episode and take steps to manage it
- work on factors that help maintain a stable mood for as long as possible
- engage the help of family members, teachers, and colleagues
we have a wealth of knowledge and experience with the condition and can help you take the right steps to move forward in improving your quality of life.