Bipolar Disorder
Almost 6 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder, but therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes may help.
Is Treatment Available In My State?Table of Contents
- What is Bipolar Disorder?
- Types of Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar I and Bipolar II
- What are The Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
- Manic Symptoms
- Depressive Symptoms
- Cyclothymic Disorder
- Is There a Bipolar Disorder Test?
- Comorbid Conditions
- How Many People Have Bipolar Disorder?
- What are the Risk Factors for Bipolar Disorder?
- What are the Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder?
- References
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health condition characterized by recurring depressive, manic, and/or hypomanic mood episodes. Those with bipolar disorder can experience periods of intense happiness, energy, and clarity as well as episodes of deep sadness, fatigue, and confusion. The severity of these mood episodes can be so overwhelming that some affected individuals may contemplate suicide.
Everyone with bipolar disorder experiences manic episodes, which are marked by unusually elevated or irritable moods lasting at least a week and impacting daily functioning. However, not everyone with bipolar disorder experiences depressive episodes.
Types of Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar I and Bipolar II
Bipolar disorder comes in two forms: Bipolar I and Bipolar II.
In Bipolar I, patients experience mania that is at least one week in duration and depression that is at least two weeks in duration. In some cases, mental health professionals may give someone a diagnosis of Bipolar I when these episodes are shorter but intense enough to put that person in the hospital.
In Bipolar II, each stage is shorter, and the symptoms of mania can be less intense. While the manic symptoms may be less severe, Bipolar II patients still need the same support, compassion, and quality of care as those with Bipolar I given the severity of depressive symptoms.
What are The Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder causes elevated moods that can be so severe that the person stops taking care of the basic things in life, ignoring work, family, and even money. Manic episodes can involve impulsive behavior that puts the individual and those around them at risk.
These individuals also experience episodes of deep depression, the polar opposite of their manic behaviors. Suicidal ideation can be experienced in either depressive or manic episodes, so both episodes can be associated with significant risk.
These swings do not only happen for a few days, but for weeks at a time in some cases.
Manic Symptoms
- Excessive energy levels
- Feelings of extreme elation
- Insomnia
- Irritability with others
- Racing thoughts
- Excessive risk taking
Depressive Symptoms
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Low energy levels
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Fatigue
- Feelings of emptiness and detachment
- Avoidance of favorite activities
- Suicidal thoughts
Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic disorder also involves manic and depressive stages, but to a lesser degree than those experienced in bipolar disorder. These down and up swings may not occur as frequently throughout the year, either. When treating cyclothymic disorder, mental health professionals use many of the interventions they use with bipolar disorder.
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Is There a Bipolar Disorder Test?
You cannot test for bipolar disorder with a blood test or a brain scan. The only way to diagnose this disorder is to have a mental health professional assess the individual in a clinical setting.
If you have symptoms that make you believe you may have bipolar disorder, it is best to seek out a trained medical professional for a formal bipolar disorder testing and evaluation.
Comorbid Conditions
During the evaluation process of bipolar symptoms, a mental health professional will consider a differential diagnosis to consider all conditions that can cause symptoms similar to those in bipolar disorder.
This process is just like the core diagnostic procedure. Patients answer questions, fill out questionnaires, and create an overall picture of their mental health for the therapist.
How Many People Have Bipolar Disorder?
It is estimated that 2.6 percent of American adults have this disorder, which translates into around 5.7 million people across the country.
What are the Risk Factors for Bipolar Disorder?
Some people have greater risk factors when it comes to developing this disorder. Those with a specific gene variant may be prone to it, for example, and it tends to run in a family. Environmental factors, such as childhood trauma and family conflict, can also put an individual at risk for bipolar disorder.
What are the Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder?
LifeStance offers comprehensive treatment plans for people with bipolar disorder. Depending on the person’s needs, this may include therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. The purpose of treatment is to enhance general functioning, manage symptoms, stabilize mood, and prevent relapses.
LifeStance also offers online appointments for bipolar disorder to help increase access to high quality care when individuals have difficulty attending onsite appointments.
An online session is similar to an in-person appointment but is conducted online via a computer, phone, or tablet. This remote option can make it more convenient for patients and others (such as family members or other professionals) to attend.
References
Bipolar Disorder FAQ
Bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression) is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood episodes ranging from between mania or emotional “highs” and depression or emotional “lows.”
It is estimated that 2.6 percent of American adults have this disorder, which translates into around 5.7 million people. In other words, two or three American adults out of 100 have this disorder.
No, bipolar is a mood disorder, not a personality disorder. Mood disorders refer to problematic patterns of behavior, while personality disorders are challenges people have in relating to others.
Bipolar disorder symptoms can be quite disabling. Some people with bipolar disorder can get disability benefits for their condition.
You cannot detect bipolar disorder with a blood test or a brain scan. The only way to properly diagnose this disorder is to have a mental health professional evaluate the individual in a clinical setting.
As of now, there is no cure for bipolar disorder, but many people with the disorder are able to achieve stability with on-going treatments that include medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes.
Talk to someone who can help. LifeStance is your resource for finding the right mental health professionals to manage bipolar disorder and other related mental health issues.
