There are many mental health disorders in the world, and Bipolar Disorder is one of them. It is one of the most common mental disorders in the world. According to studies, 1 out of every 100 people is diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at some point of time in their lives.
If you are someone who wants to know more about bipolar disorder, you have come to the right place. Keep on reading this article till the end to learn more…
Bipolar Disorder
Wondering what is bipolar disorder? Let me explain it to you!
Sometimes known as manic depression, bipolar disorder is one of the most common mental health disorders of all time. It is a life-long mental condition that is characterized by severe mood swings and other mental health issues.
Generally, it is known to be a mental health condition that leads to extreme mood shifts. However, that is not the only thing that happens if you have bipolar disorder. There are shifts in your energy as well as your behavior.
People who have bipolar disorder often have two extreme periods of emotions— manic and depressive.
In the manic episode, they experience extremely elevated energy. They are overly energetic and happy. In the depressive episode, they are sluggish, full of despair, and extremely sad. And because these two episodes of emotions are totally different from each other (let’s say they are polar opposites), this disorder is termed bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
While you might think that it is very easy to know if you have bipolar disorder or not, that is not true. This is because the symptoms of this mental health disorder are very common. They can be seen in almost everyone.
Anyone can feel sad and have depression, and anyone can be overly happy and energetic. So what makes a person bipolar?
The symptoms of this disorder can be classified broadly into two types. Here are the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder that you must check for:
1. Mania
In the manic episode of bipolar disorder, people can experience:
- Easily distracted
- Full of energy
- Feel self-important
- Insomnia due to high energy
- Delusional
- Elevated
- Not eating or overeating
- Schizophrenia (severe case)
2. Depression
During this phase of sadness or depression, the person may face the following:
- Lack of energy
- A feeling of emptiness and void
- Lack of appetite
- Insomnia
- Loss of interest
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Feeling of irritation
- Suicidal (extreme cases)
There is yet another category that you should know about, and that is called Hypomania. In this episode, people who have bipolar disorder are in their second stage. It is often said to be a part of bipolar II-type disorder. The symptoms that people experience in this type of bipolar disorder are very similar to that of the manic episode. However, they are much milder.
In hypomania, people will not be delusional, or they will not hallucinate. However, they generally tend to forget the actions that are happening around them.
Causes Of Bipolar Disorder
Now that you know what bipolar disorder is, it is best to understand the causes of this mental health disorder. Here are some of them that you might find helpful:
- Environmental factors.
- Excessive stress.
- Genetic factors.
- Life-changing events.
- Neurological factors.
Diagnosis Of Bipolar Disorder
The diagnosis of this manic depression is extremely crucial. Here are some of the ways in which bipolar disorder can be diagnosed:
- Physical examination.
- Medical tests, including blood tests.
- Mental health evaluation questionnaires.
Bipolar Disorder Treatments
Now that you know almost everything about Bipolar Disorder, you must be wondering, how can I treat this?” Well, in case you are looking for the treatments for Bipolar Disorder, I have got you covered.
Here are some of the ways in which you or your doctor can help you treat this manic depression:
- Medication
- Psychotherapy
- Lifestyle changes
- Recognizing the triggers
It is important to understand that bipolar disorder is a long-term disorder that might not be cured for life. However, the treatment options for bipolar disorder might make it better for the person living with this disorder and provide them with short-term relief.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):-
Now that you have almost reached the end of this article, I hope that most of your queries have been answered. However, here are some of the questions that readers frequently ask about bipolar disorder. You might want to take a look at them to learn more about the same.
1. Is Bipolar Disorder The Same As Borderline Personality Disorder?
Ans: A lot of people often confuse bipolar disorder with borderline personality disorder and vice versa. However, this is mainly because abbreviations of both disorders are the same— BPD. At the same time, both disorders have similar symptoms, like mood swings and impulsiveness. However, both disorders are different.
2. Can You Treat Bipolar Disorder?
Ans: It is possible to treat or control bipolar disorder. However, the treatment for this mental disorder is done with the help of a variety of methods. From therapy to medications and other necessary supportive care— everything is combined to deal with bipolar disorder.
3. Is Bipolar Disorder Common?
Ans: In case you think that Bipolar Disorder is rare, that is not true. It is said that 1 in every 100 people is diagnosed with bipolar disorder at least once in their lives. This means that the disorder is very common.
Wrapping It Up!
Formerly known as manic disorder or depression, bipolar disorder is one of the most common mental health disorders that is characterized by extreme mood swings, shifts in energy levels, depression, anxiety, and a lot more. While it is generally a life-long condition, bipolar disorder can be treated and brought under control with the help of medication and psychotherapy.
In case you were searching for some information regarding bipolar disorder, I hope that this article has been of help to you. If there are any other queries related to the same, please feel free to write them down in the comment section below. Till then, stay safe and keep fighting!
Read Also: