BIPOLAR DISORDER

What is bipolar disorder?


Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that is marked by extreme mood changes that oscillate from elevated moods to low and depressive moods. These extremely high moods are known as mania or hypomania(less intense than mania) while low moods are called depressive episodes. Bipolar disorder severely affects one's day to day activities, mood, behavior and even relationships. However, with appropriate treatment and support, one will be able to manage their symptoms effectively and stabilize their moods.

Every individual experiences mood changes from time to time but people with bipolar disorder experience these mood shifts in intense and extreme levels. These extreme mood changes can adversely affect one's energy levels, sleep, decision making, perceptions and behavior which can make it hard for them to function and become productive. 

Types of bipolar related disorders

Bipolar I disorder 

One experiences at least one manic episode and depressive episode. At other times in the manic episode, one may experience psychosis.

Bipolar II disorder

This is marked by a hypomania and depressive episode, there is no manic episode. People with hypomania may feel energized and able to function well but this does not last as it followed by a depressive episode.

A popular misconception about bipolar II disorder is that it is less intense than bipolar I, on the contrary, people with bipolar II disorder may experience longer periods of depressive episode than those of bipolar I disorder. 

Cyclothymic disorder

One experiences at least one year of hypomania and depressive episodes, although the depressive episodes are less severe. 

Manic Episodes

A manic or hypomania episode is marked by elevated moods. A hypomania is less intense than mania. 

Symptoms include:-
  • Having high energy levels
  • Excessive talkativeness
  • Sleeping too little yet not feeling exhausted
  • Inability to focus
  • Very high self confidence
  • Engaging in risky behaviours
  • Poor decision making
  • Having racing thoughts

Depressive Episodes

Depressive episodes are marked by intense feelings of sadness and despair. The symptoms in this episode includes:-
  • Experiencing low energy levels
  • Deep feelings of sadness and emptiness
  • Experiencing changes in sleep patterns ( too much or too little)
  • Experiencing changes in appetite ( too much or too little) 
  • Loss of interest in activities you previously enjoyed
  • Feeling very tired or fatigued
  • Unusual irritability
  • Withdrawal from social situations
  • Inability to concentrate on anything
  • Having suicidal thoughts or making suicidal attempts

Psychosis

When the elevated moods and low moods and very intense, one might experience psychosis. Psychosis is a condition whereby one is unable to distinguish their imagination and what is reality. They include symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. Hallucinations involves seeing or hearing things that do not exist while delusions includes having false beliefs of who a person is and what is true e.g believing that one is a figure of authority or a celebrity when they actually aren't. 

Symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and teens

It may be difficult to detect the symptoms of bipolar disorder in children because it is hard to differentiate from the normal mood shifts in children. It is also difficult to evaluate whether it is as a result of psychological or environmental influences or a sign of a mental health disorder other than bipolar disorder. 

The distinct difference between the symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and adults is that in the former, they usually experience rapid spontaneous shifts between the manic and depressive episodes.

Causes

1) Childhood trauma

Experiencing any kind of trauma when you were a child can increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder. These can include childhood neglect, any form of abuse, grief and traumatic events. All these impair your ability to manage your emotions.

2) Family relations

It is more likely to develop bipolar disorder if any of your family members has it. But if there are none, chances are that they've just not been diagnosed for it. However, having 'bipolar genes' is not an exclusive cause.

Strained family relations may also play a part in developing bipolar disorder. This is because one's surroundings may affect their emotional processes and being in an unstable home can contribute to this.

3) Stressful life events

Life's stressful events may set one off balance and increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder. These events can include experiencing loss/ grief, financial difficulties, being in a toxic workplace environment, strained relationships/ break ups, being abused etc.

4) Certain medications and drugs/alcohol

Certain medications may cause symptoms of bipolar disorder. For example, there are certain types of medications when taken cause mania or hypomania as a side effect e.g thyroid medications hence it is important to inquire from your doctor on any side effects of your medication. Furthermore, some recreational drugs and alcohol cause mania or hypomania but it is difficult to distinguish between the effects of drugs and alcohol and symptoms of mental health. 

5) Brain chemistry

It is believed that the malfunctioning of the neurotransmitters in the brain (brain chemicals) could affect or increase the chance of developing bipolar disorder. 

Treatments

Treatments for bipolar disorder includes medication and psychotherapy.
  • Medications
Depending on your current mood episode or severity of your symptoms, a psychiatrist will administer the necessary medications to use to help you manage your symptoms. Hence, it is important to see a psychiatrist once you experience the symptoms of bipolar disorder. 
  • Psychotherapy
There are different types of therapy and this includes cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy and group therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Through CBT, you will be able to understand how your feelings, thoughts and behaviors influence each other and be able to change destructive ones to positive and rational ones.

Interpersonal therapy

This looks at how your interpersonal relationships affect your thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

Group therapy

Through this, you meet a group of people who have the same experiences with bipolar disorder and share in those experiences and ways each of them has been able to manage their symptoms. The aim of this is to foster a support system while sharing knowledge on how to cope with bipolar disorder.

Take out

Having bipolar disorder is not something to be worried about or ashamed of but it is important to understand that with proper treatment and psychosocial support, one can successfully manage their symptoms and live productively with it. It is also important to take note of any emotional changes that you experience to prevent the symptoms from being severe before starting treatment.

Article by Faith Chepkwony
chepkwonyfaith13@gmail.com



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