Bipolar Disorder Help Guide

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Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that affects millions of people every day. Marked by periods of highs and lows, this mental health condition can take a serious toll on the lives of the people that struggle with its symptoms. If you have asked yourself “how do I know if I have bipolar?” you may wonder how to get help. Fortunately, there are a range of options that can help manage bipolar disorder systems and help you live a rich and rewarding life.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder that causes changes in mood, energy, and the ability to function. Most people might experience episodes of depression or elation, usually in response to certain life events. However, for someone with bipolar disorder, these periods of depression or mania are extreme and may not be in response to any particular trigger situation.

2.8 % of the US population has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder
83% of cases are classified as severe
Both men and women are equally affected by bipolar disorder

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is generally broken down into four primary categories. These categories are differentiated from each other by the presence or absence of certain symptoms.

Bipolar I Disorder – The individual has experienced one or more episodes of mania. Most will experience both mania and depression, but depression is not necessary for a diagnosis. This type of bipolar has manic episodes that last at least 7 days or be so severe hospitalization is required.
Bipolar II Disorder – The individual experiences depressive episodes shifting back and forth with hypomanic episodes.
Cyclothymic Disorder or Cyclothymia – a chronically unstable mood state in which an individual would experience hypomania and mild depression for at least two years. There may be brief periods where no symptoms are present, but these are generally short-lived.
Bipolar Disorder, “other specified” and “specified” – when an individual does not meet the criteria for bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder or cyclothymia but still experiences periods of clinically abnormal mood elevation and depression.

How Do I Know if I have Bipolar?

Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness that causes dramatic shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to think clearly. People with bipolar experience high and low moods, known as mania and depression, which differ from the typical difficulties that most people experience. This mental illness has an onset of the mid-twenties but can first occur in the teenage years. If left untreated bipolar disorder symptoms can take a heavy tolls on the individual’s life.

Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, because the full range of symptoms may not always be obvious. Bipolar disorder can make the people living with it feel like they are on an emotional roller coaster; however, symptoms may be more mild and not wholly obvious to the person living with the disorder.

Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder Mania or Hypomania

Extremely energetic, cheerful, or wired
Intense sense of confidence and well being
Feelings of euphoria
Lack of need for sleep

It can also include:

Highly distracted
Indecisiveness
Poor judgement
Risk-taking
Racing mind
Excessive talkativeness

Mania is more severe and can cause someone to have a break from reality. When this psychosis occurs, the person may be hospitalized or need inpatient care.

Signs and Symptoms of Major Depressive Episodes

Depressive episodes may last for several days or weeks, or longer. Often it may not be obvious that depression episodes are related to bipolar disorder and you may wonder, “How do I know if I have bipolar depression?” Bipolar depression often effects an individual’s ability to engage in their day-to-day life. Symptoms include:

Excessive sadness, loneliness, or emptiness
Fatigue
Feeling excessively worthless or guilty
Feeling of hopelessness
Difficulty with memory, concentration and decision making
Preoccupation with death or suicidal thoughts
Severe sense of fatigue
Significant changes in appetite

Causes of Bipolar Disorder

Like many mental health disorders, the exact cause of bipolar disorder is largely unknown. Research has shown that there can be a number of factors that may contribute to the onset of BPD, including:

Genetics – chances are increased if a parent or sibling has the disorder, but a genetic predisposition for the disorder does not mean someone will necessary develop the disorder as well.
Stress – a stressful event such as death in the family, an illness, a difficult relationship, divorce, or financial problems may trigger manic or depressive episodes.
Brain Structure and Function – Some evidence suggests that there is a difference in the average size or activation of some brain structures with people with bipolar disorder

Risk Factors for Untreated Bipolar Disorder

It could take years to be diagnosed properly with bipolar disorder, which is why you may ask yourself “how do I know if I have bipolar?” Certain symptoms of bipolar disorder match other mental illnesses. The ups and downs of bipolar disorder can last for exceptionally long periods of time causing difficulty in pinpointing they type of disorder involved.

Because periods between cycles can last for weeks or months, untreated bipolar disorder can cause serious disruption in an individual’s life and relationships. Depressive episodes can lead to poor health and suicidal ideation, but can also mistaken for other types of depression which makes many people wonder “how do I know if I have bipolar depression?” Manic episodes can result in an individual engaging in life-endangering and risky behavior, but may also appear to be general elation, excitement, or talkativeness.

Those with bipolar disorder can also have other mental illnesses as well. Often, people with BPD may also be diagnosed with:

Anxiety
ADHD
PTSD
Substance abuse disorders – dual diagnosis
Eating Disorders
Physical Health problems such as heart disease, thyroid problems and/or headaches or obesity

The Bipolar Disorder Stigma

The complexity of symptoms makes bipolar disorder difficult for many people to understand. Family, friends, coworkers, and teachers may not realize that someone is struggling with BPD and attribute symptoms to poor decision-making or a lack of self-control. which causes an elevated fear of judgment and stigma for those who experience it. Often, this stigma prevents people from seeking the help that they need.

Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

While there is no cure for bipolar disorder, it is a highly treatable condition. Symptoms are managed in several ways, including:

Psychotherapy – which may include family and group therapy, as well as individual counseling
Medications – mood stabilizers, antipsychotic medications, antidepressants
Self-management strategies – that include recognizing cycles of the disorder
Complementary Health Approaches – Adequate sleep, healthy diet, regular exercise, meditation, yoga, and other holistic approaches.

Supporting a Loved One with Bipolar Disorder

Supporting a loved one with bipolar disorder will greatly increase the chances of successful treatment outcomes for the individual living with BPD. Often the best thing that you can do to support your loved one with bipolar disorder is to understand what this disorder is and how it affects the individual. Other strategies for supporting a loved one with bipolar disorder include:

Pay attention to warning signs that may identify an episode is coming on – learning what “triggers” episodes can be extremely helpful in managing symptoms.
Avoid drugs and alcohol – using recreational drugs can cause episodes to occur more frequently
Take medications exactly as directed. Do not give in to the temptation of stopping treatment. Do not reduce your dose of prescribed medication.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment in Los Angeles, CA

Living with bipolar disorder can take a heavy toll on your life. Our compassionate and patient mental health professionals, doctors, and therapist design individual treatment plans that for the foundation of a new tomorrow for those with bipolar disorder. We combine evidence-based treatment options, holistic therapies to personalize your treatment experience. For more information about bipolar disorder treatment, contact us today.