Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings. These can range from extreme climbs (mania) to extreme lows (depression). Episodes of mania and depression usually last several weeks or months. Mania and hypomania are two different types of episodes, but they have the same symptoms. Manic and hypomanic episodes are key features of bipolar disorder, each presenting with distinct changes in mood, energy, and behavior.
Mania is more severe than hypomania and causes more noticeable problems at work, school, and social activities, as well as difficulties in relationships. Mania can also trigger a break with reality (psychosis) and require hospitalization. An irritable mood is a common feature of manic episodes. The vast majority of people with bipolar disorder have experienced at least one major depressive episode that lasts two weeks or more. Because the symptoms caused by a major depressive episode tend to be even more disturbing and worrying than those that occur during a manic episode, bipolar disorder people are more likely to seek help when they feel depressed or soon after coming out of the episode. Severe depression can follow manic or hypomanic episodes, and the most severe forms and severe forms of bipolar disorder may require more intensive treatment.
People with bipolar I disorder usually experience manic episodes that last a week or longer. They may also (but not always) experience episodes of major depression that last at least two weeks. People with bipolar II disorder often experience a combination of hypomanic and depressive episodes that are shorter and less severe. A hypomanic episode is a distinct period of elevated or irritable mood and increased activity lasting at least four days. Severe bipolar episodes of mania or depression can include psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions.
Usually, these psychotic symptoms reflect a person’s extreme mood. People with bipolar disorder who have psychotic symptoms may be misdiagnosed as having schizophrenia. Related disorders such as schizoaffective disorder can present with similar symptoms, making diagnosis challenging. Ken Duckworth leads bipolar disorder discussions that provide information from individuals, family members, and mental health professionals. Along with mood swings, bipolar disorder causes changes in behavior, energy levels, and activity levels. The bipolar disorder experience involves cyclical, intense mood episodes and behavioral changes that clearly differ from a person's usual mood, highlighting the marked shifts associated with the condition.
Bipolar disorder symptoms include a comprehensive set of clinical features such as mood swings, depressive and manic episodes, and other symptoms that may impact daily functioning. Early recognition of these symptoms is important for diagnosis and treatment. Bipolar disorder diagnosed involves assessment by a mental health professional, who may use interviews, questionnaires, and observation to identify the condition. This process often requires distinguishing bipolar disorder from related disorders and other mental health conditions, as comorbidities can complicate diagnosis and management.
Having bipolar disorder along with a substance use disorder can make it difficult to treat either condition and can also affect the outcome of each disorder. Scientists are currently conducting research to determine the relationship these factors have in bipolar disorder, how they can help prevent its occurrence, and what role they can play in its treatment. Stressful life events, such as trauma or significant stressors, can increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder. Keeping a life chart that records daily mood symptoms, treatments, sleep patterns, and life events can help patients and healthcare providers track and treat. Rapid cycling, defined as four or more episodes of mania or depression within a year, is a pattern that can complicate management. Substance abuse can make bipolar episodes (mania and depression) more frequent or severe, and medications used to treat bipolar disorder tend to be less effective when someone uses alcohol or illicit drugs.
When people have symptoms of bipolar disorder and also experience periods of psychosis that are separate from mood episodes, the right diagnosis may be schizoaffective disorder. Time spent on symptoms of depression, meanwhile, outnumbers time spent on hypomanic symptoms by about 35 to one in people with bipolar II disorder. Having substance use disorder can also make it more difficult to get an accurate diagnosis, as the doctor may struggle to identify which symptoms are due to bipolar disorder and which are derived from substance use. People with certain types of bipolar disorder, such as bipolar II disorder, experience hypomania, which is a less severe form of mania.
This leaflet describes the signs and symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depressive illness), a brain disorder that causes unusual changes in mood, energy, activity levels, and ability to perform daily tasks. Bipolar disorder is considered one of the most inherited psychiatric conditions; more than two-thirds of people with bipolar disorder have at least one close biological relative with the condition. Signs and symptoms of bipolar I and bipolar II disorders may include other characteristics, such as anxious distress, melancholy, psychosis, or other. While living with bipolar disorder certainly creates some challenges, sticking to your treatment plan, practicing regular self-care, and relying on your support system can improve your overall well-being and keep symptoms to a minimum. Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that requires a comprehensive treatment plan, often involving both medication and psychotherapy.
Health care providers sometimes prescribe antidepressant medications to treat depressive episodes in bipolar disorder, combining the antidepressant with a mood stabilizer to prevent a manic episode from triggering. Bipolar depression is often treated with a combination of mood stabilizers, antipsychotic medications, and sometimes antidepressants. A depressed mood lasting at least two weeks is a core symptom of bipolar depression, often accompanied by other symptoms such as changes in sleep, appetite, and energy. Bipolar disorder used to be called by other names, such as manic depression and manic-depressive disorder.
Talk therapy is an important part of treatment for bipolar disorder, helping individuals identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Psychotherapy can help manage troubling emotions as part of a comprehensive approach. Ongoing management is essential to manage bipolar disorder, requiring long-term support and guidance from a mental health professional. The national institute provides authoritative research and treatment guidelines for bipolar disorder. Addressing other mental health conditions alongside bipolar disorder is important for effective treatment. Efforts to prevent bipolar disorder focus on early intervention, monitoring, and prompt treatment to stop the progression or worsening of symptoms.
Introduction to Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, sometimes referred to as manic depression, is a serious mental health condition marked by extreme mood swings that include both depressive episodes and manic episodes. These shifts in mood can dramatically affect a person’s energy, behavior, and ability to manage daily responsibilities. For people with bipolar disorder, these mood swings are not just occasional—they are intense and can disrupt relationships, work, and overall quality of life. According to the Mental Health Services Administration, bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness that affects more than 5 million American adults, or about 2% of the adult population. Because this mental health condition can cause significant distress and impairment, ongoing treatment and support are essential for managing symptoms and maintaining stability.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
There are several types of bipolar disorder, each with its own pattern of mood episodes and symptoms. Bipolar I Disorder is defined by the presence of at least one manic episode, which may be severe enough to require hospitalization. People with bipolar I may also experience major depressive episodes, but these are not required for diagnosis. Bipolar II Disorder involves a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, which are less intense than full manic episodes but still cause noticeable changes in mood and behavior. Cyclothymic Disorder, or cyclothymia, is a milder form of bipolar disorder characterized by frequent periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms that do not meet the full criteria for manic or major depressive episodes. Mental health professionals use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) to diagnose bipolar disorder and its subtypes, ensuring that people receive the most accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. Understanding the different types of bipolar disorder is crucial for both patients and providers to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Understanding Bipolar Symptoms
The symptoms of bipolar disorder can vary widely from person to person, but they generally involve significant changes in mood, energy, and behavior. Common symptoms include dramatic mood swings, ranging from depressive symptoms such as persistent sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities, to manic symptoms like elevated mood, increased energy, and impulsive behavior. During depressive episodes, people with bipolar disorder may experience changes in sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of worthlessness. Manic episodes, on the other hand, can lead to risky decision-making, rapid speech, and a decreased need for sleep. Hypomanic episodes are similar to manic episodes but are less severe and do not cause the same level of disruption. In some cases, severe mood episodes can include psychotic symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations. Additionally, substance abuse and drug and alcohol misuse are common among people with bipolar disorder, which can worsen symptoms and complicate treatment. Recognizing the wide range of bipolar symptoms is essential for early intervention and effective management.
