Bipolar Disorder

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings. This condition is also called manic-depressive illness or manic depression. Both men and women can have bipolar disorder. People of all ages can have it.

Are there different kinds of bipolar disorder?

Yes. There are several different kinds of bipolar disorder. Which kind you have depends on how quickly you move from manic episodes to depression and back again, as well as how severe your symptoms are.

Symptoms

What are symptoms of bipolar disorder?

At times, a person who has bipolar disorder may feel very happy, full of energy and able to do anything. The person may not want to rest when feeling this way. This feeling is called mania (say: “may-nee-ah”). At other times, a person who has bipolar disorder may feel very sad and depressed.

The person may not want to do anything when he or she feels this way. This is called depression. People who have bipolar disorder can quickly go from mania to depression and back again.

Other signs of mania include the following:

  • Feeling very irritable or angry
  • Thinking and talking so fast that other people can’t follow your thoughts
  • Not sleeping at all
  • Feeling very powerful and important
  • Having trouble concentrating
  • Spending too much money
  • Abusing alcohol and drugs
  • Having intercourse without being careful to prevent pregnancy or disease

Other signs of depression include the following:

  • No interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy, including intercourse
  • Feeling sad or numb
  • Crying easily or for no reason
  • Feeling slowed down, or feeling restless and irritable
  • Feeling worthless or guilty
  • Change in appetite; unintended change in weight
  • Trouble recalling things, concentrating or making decisions
  • Headaches, backaches or digestive problems
  • Problems sleeping, or wanting to sleep all of the time
  • Feeling tired all of the time
  • Thoughts about death and suicide

Causes & Risk Factors

What causes bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder may be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. It sometimes runs in families. If you have a parent who has bipolar disorder, you have a greater chance of having it.

Treatment

How is bipolar disorder treated?

Your family doctor can treat bipolar disorder. Your family doctor may want you to see a psychiatrist too. You and your doctors will work together to control your mood swings and make sure you stay well.

Bipolar disorder is treated with medicines to stop the mood swings. Mood stabilizers are used to even out highs and lows in your mood. Antidepressant medicine can help reduce the symptoms of depression. Your doctor may add other medicines as you need them. These medicines don’t start to work right away, but you will start to notice a difference in your moods after a few weeks. Be sure to take your medicines just as your doctor tells you.

Counseling can help you with stress, family concerns and relationship problems. It’s important to get counseling if you have bipolar disorder.

Some people who have bipolar disorder don’t want to get treatment. Often, they don’t realize how much it affects their lives and the lives of the people around them. Also, they feel very productive and powerful during the manic phase and are reluctant to give this up.

What can I do to help myself get better?

  • Share all of your symptoms, health history and family health history with your doctor. Many people who have bipolar disorder are not correctly diagnosed. A correct diagnosis give you the best chance at getting helpful treatment.
  • Read about bipolar disorder and tell your family what you learn. Your doctor can suggest resources to help you learn more.
  • Have a regular routine. Go to bed and wake up at about the same time every day. Eat meals that are good for you and exercise at regular times.
  • Take your medicine every day, and don’t stop taking it even if you start feeling better. It may take time for your medicine and therapy to have an effect on your life. Try to be patient and stay focused on your goals.
  • Avoid caffeine and over-the-counter medicines for colds, allergies and pain. Ask your doctor before you drink alcohol or use any other medicines.
  • Try to avoid stress.
  • Learn the early warning signs of your illness. Tell your doctor when you notice changes in your mood or behavior.
  • Join a support group. You and your family can share information and experiences with the support group.

Questions

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

  • What treatment is best for me?
  • Are there any support groups in my area?
  • Will I have to take medicine for the rest of my life?
  • What can I do at home to help myself?
  • Should I make any changes to my diet?
  • What exercises should I do?
  • What medicines should I take?
  • Will my children also have bipolar disorder?
  • If my symptoms get worse, when should I call my doctor?
  • What should I do if I start thinking about suicide?

Citations

Bipolar 1 Disorder

Bipolar 1 disorder is a mental health disorder in which a person has episodes of emotional highs (mania), and may also have episodes of emotional lows (depression) in addition to highs. Bipolar 1 disorder is different from other bipolar disorders because it involves extreme manic episodes. These episodes last at least one week or involve symptoms that are so severe that hospitalization is needed to keep the person safe.

What increases the risk?

The cause of this condition is not known. However, certain factors make you more likely to have bipolar disorder, such as:

  • Having a family member with the disorder.
  • An imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters).
  • Stress, such as illness, financial problems, or a death.
  • Certain conditions that affect the brain or spinal cord (neurologic conditions).
  • Brain injury (trauma).
  • Having another mental health disorder, such as:
    • Obsessive compulsive disorder.
    • Schizophrenia.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of mania include:

  • Very high self-esteem or self-confidence.
  • Decreased need for sleep.
  • Unusual talkativeness or feeling a need to keep talking. Speech may be very fast. It may seem like you cannot stop talking.
  • Racing thoughts or constant talking, with quick shifts between topics that may or may not be related (flight of ideas).
  • Decreased ability to focus or concentrate.
  • Increased purposeful activity, such as work, studies, or social activity.
  • Increased nonproductive activity. This could be pacing, squirming and fidgeting, or finger and toe tapping.
  • Impulsive behavior and poor judgment. This may result in high-risk activities, such as having unprotected sex or spending a lot of money.

Symptoms of depression include:

  • Feeling sad, hopeless, or helpless.
  • Frequent or uncontrollable crying.
  • Lack of feeling or caring about anything.
  • Sleeping too much.
  • Moving more slowly than usual.
  • Not being able to enjoy things you used to enjoy.
  • Wanting to be alone all the time.
  • Feeling guilty or worthless.
  • Lack of energy or motivation.
  • Trouble concentrating or remembering.
  • Trouble making decisions.
  • Increased appetite.
  • Thoughts of death, or the desire to harm yourself.

Sometimes, you may have a mixed mood. This means having symptoms of depression and mania. Stress can make symptoms worse.

How is this diagnosed?

To diagnose bipolar disorder, your health care provider may ask about your:

  • Emotional episodes.
  • Medical history.
  • Alcohol and drug use. This includes prescription medicines. Certain medical conditions and substances can cause symptoms that seem like bipolar disorder (secondary bipolar disorder).

How is this treated?

Bipolar disorder is a long-term (chronic) illness. It is best controlled with ongoing (continuous) treatment rather than treatment only when symptoms occur. Treatment may include:

  • Medicine. Medicine can be prescribed by a provider who specializes in treating mental disorders (psychiatrist).
    • Medicines called mood stabilizers are usually prescribed.
    • If symptoms occur even while taking a mood stabilizer, other medicines may be added.
  • Psychotherapy. Some forms of talk therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can provide support, education, and guidance.
  • Coping methods, such as journaling or relaxation exercises. These may include:
    • Yoga.
    • Meditation.
    • Deep breathing.
  • Lifestyle changes, such as:
    • Limiting alcohol and drug use.
    • Exercising regularly.
    • Getting plenty of sleep.
    • Making healthy eating choices.

A combination of medicine, talk therapy, and coping methods is best. A procedure in which electricity is applied to the brain through the scalp (electroconvulsive therapy) may be used in cases of severe mania when medicine and psychotherapy work too slowly or do not work.

Follow these instructions at home:

Activity

  • Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider.
  • Find activities that you enjoy, and make time to do them.
  • Exercise regularly as told by your health care provider.

Lifestyle

  • Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink a day for nonpregnant women and 2 drinks a day for men. One drink equals 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1½ oz of hard liquor.
  • Follow a set schedule for eating and sleeping.
  • Eat a balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean meat.
  • Get 7–8 hours of sleep each night.

General instructions

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Think about joining a support group. Your health care provider may be able to recommend a support group.
  • Talk with your family and loved ones about your treatment goals and how they can help.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Where to find more information

For more information about bipolar disorder, visit the following websites:

Contact a health care provider if:

  • Your symptoms get worse.
  • You have side effects from your medicine, and they get worse.
  • You have trouble sleeping.
  • You have trouble doing daily activities.
  • You feel unsafe in your surroundings.
  • You are dealing with substance abuse.

Get help right away if:

  • You have new symptoms.
  • You have thoughts about harming yourself.
  • You self-harm.

Bipolar 2 Disorder

Bipolar 2 disorder is a mental health disorder in which a person has episodes of emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). Bipolar 2 is different from other bipolar disorders because the manic episodes are not as high and do not last as long. This is called hypomania. People with bipolar 2 disorder usually go back and forth between hypomanic and depressive episodes.

What are the causes?

The cause of this condition is not known.

What increases the risk?

The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:

  • Having a family member with the disorder.
  • An imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters).
  • Stress, such as a death, illness, or financial problems.
  • Certain conditions that affect the brain or spinal cord (neurologic conditions).
  • Brain injury (trauma).
  • Having another mental health disorder, such as:
    • Obsessive compulsive disorder.
    • Schizophrenia.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of hypomania include:

  • Very high self-esteem or self-confidence.
  • Decreased need for sleep.
  • Unusual talkativeness or feeling a need to keep talking. Speech may be very fast. It may seem like you cannot stop talking.
  • Racing thoughts or constant talking, with quick shifts between topics that may or may not be related (flight of ideas).
  • Decreased ability to focus or concentrate.
  • Increased purposeful activity, such as work, studies, or social activity.
  • Increased nonproductive activity. This could be pacing, squirming and fidgeting, or finger and toe tapping.
  • Impulsive behavior and poor judgment. This may result in high-risk activities, such as having unprotected sex or spending a lot of money.

Symptoms of depression include:

  • Feeling sad, hopeless, or helpless.
  • Frequent or uncontrollable crying.
  • Lack of feeling or caring about anything.
  • Sleeping too much.
  • Moving more slowly than usual.
  • Not being able to enjoy things you used to enjoy.
  • Desire to be alone all the time.
  • Feeling guilty or worthless.
  • Lack of energy or motivation.
  • Trouble concentrating or remembering.
  • Trouble making decisions.
  • Increased appetite.
  • Thoughts of death or desire to harm yourself.

How is this diagnosed?

To diagnose bipolar 2 disorder, your health care provider may ask about your:

  • Emotional episodes.
  • Medical history.
  • Alcohol and drug use. This includes prescription medicines. Certain medical conditions and substances can cause symptoms that seem like bipolar disorder (secondary bipolar disorder).

How is this treated?

Bipolar 2 disorder is a long-term (chronic) illness. It is best controlled with ongoing (continuous) treatment rather than being treated only when symptoms occur. Treatment may include:

  • Psychotherapy. Some forms of talk therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can provide support, education, and guidance.
  • Coping strategies, such as journaling or relaxation exercises. Relaxation exercises include:
    • Yoga.
    • Meditation.
    • Deep breathing.
  • Lifestyle changes, such as:
    • Limiting alcohol and drug use.
    • Exercising regularly.
    • Getting plenty of sleep.
    • Making healthy eating choices.
  • Medicine. Medicine can be prescribed by a health care provider who specializes in treating mental disorders (psychiatrist).
    • Medicines called mood stabilizers are usually prescribed.
    • If symptoms occur even while taking a mood stabilizer, other medicines may be added.

A combination of medicine, talk therapy, and coping methods is the best way to treat this condition.

Follow these instructions at home:

Activity

  • Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider.
  • Find activities that you enjoy, and make time to do them.
  • Exercise regularly as told by your health care provider.

Lifestyle

  • Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink a day for nonpregnant women and 2 drinks a day for men. One drink equals 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1½ oz of hard liquor.
  • Follow a set schedule for eating and sleeping.
  • Eat a balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean meats.
  • Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

General instructions

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Think about joining a support group. Your health care provider may be able to recommend a support group.
  • Talk with your family and loved ones about your treatment goals and how they can help.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Where to find more information

For more information about bipolar 2 disorder, visit the following websites:

Contact a health care provider if:

  • Your symptoms get worse.
  • You have side effects from your medicine, and they get worse.
  • You have trouble sleeping.
  • You have trouble doing daily activities.
  • You feel unsafe in your surroundings.
  • You are dealing with substance abuse.

Get help right away if:

  • You have new symptoms.
  • You have thoughts about harming yourself or others.
  • You harm yourself.

Summary

  • Bipolar 2 disorder is a mental health disorder in which a person has episodes of hypomania and depression.
  • Bipolar 2 is best treated through a combination of medicines, talk therapy, and coping strategies.
  • Talk with your family and loved ones about your treatment goals and how they can help.

Seek Additional Information

15585

Sign up to receive the trending updates and tons of Health Tips

Join SeekhealthZ and never miss the latest health information

15856