Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Possible Treatments (+TEST)

According to the WHO, 40 million people worldwide live with bipolar disorder. Some of them have episodes several times a year, and others can experience them rarely.

A common misconception is that this disorder is just about having mood swings. However, it’s not as simple as that. The truth is a severe mental condition that can negatively affect one’s quality of life.

In this article, we’ll explore the symptoms, causes, and types of bipolar disorder, as well as possible treatments for this condition.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration shifts. Everyone has ups and downs, but with bipolar disorder, these changes are severe.

The changes range from episodes of extreme highs called mania to extreme lows called depression. Unlike ordinary mood swings, the mood changes of bipolar disorder are so intense that they may interfere with relationships, productivity at work, and everyday life.

• A manic episode or mania is an episode of irritability, hyperactivity, sleeplessness, and reckless behavior. Despite being very active, the person is scattered and unproductive, with severe consequences for the person.
• Depressive episodes are marked by low energy and activity, apathy, and difficulty performing everyday tasks. People with bipolar disorder often have repeated thoughts of suicide.

Causes of bipolar disorder: genetics vs. environment

There is no one apparent cause of bipolar disorder.

It results from a combination of genetic and environmental causes. Certain factors may trigger episodes in people who are predisposed to the condition.

Is bipolar disorder genetic?

According to multiple studies, bipolar disorder is highly likely hereditary. It is more likely to develop this condition if someone in your immediate family has it. The risk is higher if your parents or your twin has been diagnosed with the condition.

Researchers are yet to determine the particular genes responsible for the disorder. It is clear that more than one gene is involved. However, not everyone with an inherited vulnerability develops the disease.

Therefore, genes are not the only cause. Bipolar disorder is also associated with an imbalance in certain chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. However, healthcare providers base their diagnosis on a patient’s symptoms and history rather than brain imaging.

Environmental factors

Research indicates that external factors can trigger episodes of mania or depression. Environmental influences may also make existing symptoms worse.

For instance, changes in the seasons, such as the change from winter to spring, can trigger bipolar episodes in some people.

Stressful life events and trauma can trigger the disorder in someone with a genetic vulnerability. Such events involve major life changes, such as losing a loved one, going away to college, losing a job, or moving. Positive life events such as getting married can also trigger an episode.

Substance use also can cause mood swings.

Furthermore, research shows that certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders or multiple sclerosis, have been associated with an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder.

The types of bipolar disorder

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-V), there are three main types of bipolar disorder based on the nature and severity of symptoms.

Bipolar I disorder

It is the classic form of this disorder and was originally called “manic depression” or manic bipolar disorder.

This type of bipolar disorder is characterized by a sudden, extreme mood shift and rapid changes in behavior that last for at least seven days. Depressive episodes may also occur, often lasting for at least two weeks.

Bipolar I disorder with psychotic features

Bipolar I disorder with psychotic features typically causes psychotic symptoms during a manic episode in some people. These episodes cause hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, and a lack of awareness of reality.

Bipolar II disorder

Frequent episodes of major depression characterize Bipolar II. Bipolar depression episodes seem very similar to episodes of major depression. The main factor that separates these two conditions is the presence of manic episodes. A single episode of mania can lead to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder rather than major depression.

People with this type of disorder experience a less severe form of mania called hypomania, but it still involves symptoms such as elevated mood, increased energy, and impulsivity.

Rapid cycling bipolar disorder

This type of bipolar disorder is characterized by frequent mood swings, with periods of hypomanic symptoms followed by periods of depressive symptoms.

These symptoms are less severe than those experienced in Bipolar I or II types, but they still significantly impact daily functioning. There can be mild symptoms that last for one to two years.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder

Typically, bipolar disorder is diagnosed in late adolescence or early adulthood. Symptoms can appear in children, pregnant women, or after childbirth.

The symptoms of bipolar disorder can vary depending on the type and severity of the condition, but there are some common ones.

Symptoms of manic and hypomanic episodes

In this state, a person may feel extreme highs and engage in risky behavior. However, this does not necessarily mean a person is violent or dangerous. Although hypomanic episodes share the same symptoms, they are less extreme than manic hypomanic episodes.

Common symptoms of a manic episode include:

• Talking very fast about a lot of different things
• Feeling incredibly powerful, talented, or important
• Feeling euphoric (extreme highs)
• Feeling irritable or touchy
• Having a jumpy or wired feeling
• Having a decreased need for sleep and loss of appetite
• Having racing thoughts
• Having ideas that they can do many things at once
• Tendency to engage in risky behavior such as reckless sex, excessive drinking, and impulsive spending

Hypomanic episodes, however, may include increased energy and decreased need for sleep. And despite the symptoms, it is possible to keep normal functioning in everyday life.

Symptoms of depressive episodes

As previously learned, depressive episodes occur more often with Bipolar II disorder. Depression can be more difficult to deal with for some people than manic or hypomanic episodes. A contrast between high and low moods can make depression seem more severe than manic episodes.

Depressive episodes include:

• Extreme anxiety or hopelessness
• Feeling of restlessness
• Trouble falling asleep or waking up
• Increased appetite and weight gain
• Talking slowly or feeling like there is nothing to say
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Sluggish and unable to do the simple tasks
• Apathy or indifference to all activities
• Decreased or absent sex drive
• Suicidal or death-related thoughts

Bipolar disorder test

This test was adapted from Goldberg’s Bipolar Spectrum Screening Questionnaire. The test contains 12 items and is designed to detect the symptoms associated with bipolar disorder.

Please note that no test will definitively diagnose bipolar disorder. This instrument can help identify whether a person meets the criteria for this diagnosis.

If you or someone you know have mental health concerns, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional for further assessment and treatment.

Does bipolar disorder ever go away?

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition that requires ongoing management throughout a person’s life.

While symptoms may fluctuate and there can be periods of remission, bipolar disorder does not simply “go away” on its own.

However, with proper treatment and self-care strategies, many people with bipolar disorder can effectively manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives.

Can you ever feel normal with bipolar?

Everyone’s journey with bipolar disorder is unique. What feels normal for one person may differ from another.

For example, for someone with bipolar disorder, feeling normal may mean experiencing a stable mood, engaging in daily activities, maintaining relationships, and pursuing personal goals.

But yes, many people with bipolar disorder can achieve a sense of normalcy and stability with proper treatment, self-care, and support.

The key is to work closely with mental health professionals, stay committed to treatment, and develop a lifestyle that promotes stability and well-being.

Possible treatments for bipolar disorder

Most commonly, bipolar disorder is treated through a combination of medication and psychotherapy. It requires long-term treatment to prevent relapse and manage symptoms.

Medication

Medication treatment for the condition is highly individualized. It depends on the types and severity of symptoms one experiences. It may include different types of medications:

• Mood stabilizers, such as lithium
• Anticonvulsants to stabilize mood swings
• Antidepressants to alleviate depressive symptoms

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an alternative medical treatment for those who have not responded to other front-line treatments. It is effective in relieving severe mania or depression.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can be effective for people living with bipolar disorder as an adjunctive treatment alongside medication. For example, here we looked closer at types of psychotherapy for depression treatment.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the first-line approach for treating bipolar disorder. It is based on the premise that mood problems can be managed by changing dysfunctional interpretations of stressful events.

Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT)

Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy may also be used to treat this condition. It focuses on regulating basic daily habits to help symptom management. This mode of treatment focuses on daily routines such as sleeping, eating, and exercising.

Final thoughts

People living with mental health conditions can have a better, fulfilling life and maintain healthy relationships. An experienced therapist can help you learn skills to cope with bipolar symptoms in a non-judgmental environment effectively.

Online therapy with Calmerry is a good tool for developing coping mechanisms, maintaining motivation, and taking care of yourself.