Frequently Asked Questions About Bipolar Disorder

People often refer to life as having its ups and downs. For an individual suffering from some form of bipolar disorder, however, these ups and downs can take the form of extreme, potentially hazardous mood swings. Within this broad description, however, bipolar disorder can affect different people in different ways, and for different reasons.

If you've experienced extreme behavioral and emotional shifts that make you suspect bipolar disorder, you'll want to enhance your understanding of this condition's various forms, causes, symptoms, and treatment options so you can seek the proper care sooner rather than later. Start with the answers to these frequently asked questions.

1. What Forms Can Bipolar Disorder Take?

Although doctors used to refer to bipolar disorder as manic-depression, the condition comes in several shades of these two emotional extremes. Modern medicine recognizes at least four major categories of bipolar disorder, any of which can pose major problems for affected individuals and families.

Bipolar 1 disorder features intense bouts of severe manic thoughts and behavior lasting seven days or more at a time. These periods of restlessness, euphoria, insomnia, and hyperactivity may grow so extreme that they call for short-term hospitalization to protect the affected individual from self-harm. Depressive episodes are not necessary for the diagnosis of Bipolar 1, but they are common.

Bipolar 2 disorder involves less mania and more depression than bipolar 1 disorder. People with bipolar 2 disorder often experience extended bouts of major depression following an episode of mild-to-moderate mania (hypomania). Some individuals have an even milder form of bipolar disorder called cyclothymia.

In addition to the three types of bipolar disorder noted above, all of which seem to have mainly hereditary causes, medical science recognizes another category caused by outside triggers. People who abuse alcohol or drugs, or who suffer from certain underlying health problems, may develop this mood disorder.

2. What Symptoms Should Alert You to a Possible Bipolar Disorder?

Sufferers of bipolar disorder need to recognize the telltale signs of both depression and mania. Depression symptoms typically include obsessive, overwhelming feelings of sadness, despair, or hopelessness. Some individuals feel emotional numbness or detachment, along with appetite changes or aches and pains. They can also lose interest in previously pleasurable activities.

A manic episode will usually produce symptoms such as anger, elation, reckless behavior, inability to concentrate or make decisions, and a seemingly unstoppable rush of energy that interferes with sleep, work, and relationships. Hypomania may produce any of all of these symptoms to a lesser degree.

3. Why Does Bipolar Disorder Require Prompt Care?

Some people who experience bipolar disorder refuse to get their condition evaluated and treated simply because they enjoy the euphoria and feelings or power that accompany the manic episodes. However, these same episodes can lead to behaviors that endanger their physical, financial, and professional well-being.

The crushing depression that follows a high-flying manic episode poses its own dangers. An individual ensnared by a major depressive episode may neglect essential activities, personal hygiene, or even their own safety to the point of considering suicide. Early intervention can help prevent these worst-case scenarios.

4. How Do Mental Health Professionals Treat Bipolar Disorder?

If you receive a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, you may benefit from a combination of treatment options. Mood stabilizing medications can prove invaluable for reducing the wild up-and-down swings of this disorder. Your psychiatrist may prescribe lithium, anticonvulsant drugs, second-generation antipsychotic drugs, or antidepressants.

Psychotherapy can also help many individuals handle their manic and depressive episodes more successfully. You may find that psychotherapy helps you recognize your symptoms and manage the stress associated with them. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you cope with irrational thoughts and feelings.

Your therapist may recommend family therapy as well as individual therapy. This approach can help your loved ones recognize your bipolar episodes for what they are and provide optimal home-based support.

Heritage Mental Health Clinic can determine whether you suffer from bipolar disorder or some other mood disorder, prescribing a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan to help you level your emotional seesaw. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our caring mental health team.