Exploring Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Types

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Previously known as manic depression, bipolar disorder is a mental health condition in which a person experiences bouts of high (mania) and low mood (depression). These bipolar disorder-related mood swings affect their emotions, temper, behaviour, thinking abilities, and energy levels.

A person can experience episodes of bipolar disorder either once in a while or multiple times in a year. While bipolar disorder is a lifelong ailment, with the right treatment plan and support, you can control your mood swings and other bipolar disorder symptoms and lead a happy and productive life. 

What are the Different Bipolar Disorder Types?

Bipolar disorder is broadly divided into three categories, depending on different bipolar disorder diagnoses. These include the following -  

• Bipolar Disorder I - If a person experiences at least one episode of extreme highs (mania) that lasts for more than 7 days, it is called bipolar disorder I. If left untreated, the high bouts can last up to 3 to 6 months. In most people, mania is preceded or followed by a depressive mood that can stay for around 6 to 12 months without proper treatment.
• Bipolar Disorder II - With bipolar disorder II, one experiences at least one major episode of depression and hypomania. Most people with bipolar disorder type II are unlikely to have a maniac episode.
• Cyclothymic Bipolar Disorder - Also known as cyclothymia, in this type of bipolar disorder, you are likely to experience frequent episodes of depression and hypomania. The symptoms usually last for a minimum of 2 years. Although the symptoms of cyclothymia are milder than bipolar I and II, it can grow into bipolar disorder.

Other Bipolar Disorder Types

• Mixed Bipolar Disorder - If one experiences depression and mania simultaneously, it is most likely to be a mixed bipolar disorder state. With this bipolar disorder type, one may experience feelings of despair or hopelessness while also feeling extremely energised or excited at the same time.
• Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder - If one experiences bouts of mania, depression, hypomania, or mixed within 1 year, it could be a cycling bipolar disorder. The switch from depression to mania may happen on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

What are the Common Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder can affect anyone, regardless of gender. However, according to a study, depressive episodes are one of the first and dominant bipolar disorder symptoms in females in comparison to males.

According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), the symptoms of bipolar disorder are likely to vary from one person to another. However, the common bipolar disorder symptoms include the following:

Symptoms of mania when you have bipolar disorder are:

• Unusual sense of happiness and positivity
• Feeling restless and overly active or energetic
• Having multiple lines of thought at once
• Lack of focus
• Decreased need for sleep
• Becoming more social than usual

On the other hand, the hypomania bipolar disorder symptoms are more or less similar but milder and more manageable than mania. Symptoms of depression with bipolar disorder include:

• Feeling depressive, sad, and negative
• Exhaustion, less energy
• Feeling clueless and worthless
• Feeling of guilt
• Difficulty making decisions and concentrating
• Feeling irritated
• Excessive or no sleep
• Suicidal thoughts

Symptoms of psychosis bipolar disorder are:

• Delusions
• Hallucinations

What are the Causes of Bipolar Disorder?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the cause of bipolar disorder is not clearly known. A combination of different factors may lead to bipolar disorder. However, some common causes of bipolar disorder include the following:

• Genetics: If a close family member or relative has bipolar disorder, one has the likelihood of acquiring this condition increases.
• Biological: Hormonal or neurotransmitter imbalances affecting the brain can also be one of the bipolar disorder causes.
• Environmental: Events of mental stress, trauma, abuse, or loss of someone or something important may also trigger the initial symptoms of bipolar disorder.

What are Bipolar Disorder Risk Factors?

The risk factors and causes of bipolar disorder are mostly the same as the causes, including:

• If a sibling or parent (first-degree relative) has bipolar disorder, one may be at risk of having this condition.
• Events that lead to extreme stress, trauma, or loss of a loved one can also lead to bipolar disorder.
• If one is indulged in excessive alcoholism or drug abuse, the person is most likely to be at risk of developing bipolar disorder.

How is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed?

To diagnose bipolar disorder, the doctor may perform the following assessment test:

• Physical exam to understand the reason behind bipolar disorder 
• Psychiatric assessment to understand the bipolar disorder type
• Mood charting to assess the mood swings in relation to bipolar disorder
• A comparison of the symptoms to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5 - a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association) criteria for bipolar disorder and similar conditions

What are the Treatments for Bipolar Disorder?

Treatment of bipolar disorder aims to help a person or caregiver manage the person's mood and minimise the intensity of the symptoms. Here is how:

Medications

The doctor is likely to prescribe medications to help manage the mood swings. Bipolar disorder medications may include the following:

• Mood stabilisers, such as valproic acid lithium, divalproex sodium, lamotrigine, and carbamazepine, may be useful to calm down during an episode of bipolar disorder.
• Antipsychotics, including risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, lurasidone, aripiprazole, and asenapine, are some of the proven medications to treat bipolar disorder.
• Antidepressants, like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), may be effective in managing depression with bipolar disorder.
• Antidepressant-antipsychotics, such as a combination of fluoxetine and olanzapine, may provide relief by stabilising the bipolar disorder-related mood swings.
• Anti-anxiety medications, like benzodiazepines, can help lower the anxiety level and improve sleep when dealing with bipolar disorder.

Psychotherapy

The doctor may also recommend the following, depending on the individual needs. These include:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for bipolar disorder management 
• Family-focused therapy for coping with bipolar disorder

Are There Any Alternative Treatments for Bipolar Disorder?

Some of the other bipolar disorder treatment plans include the following: 

• Self-management strategies: Educate yourself about bipolar disorder. It will help you understand the condition so that you can recognise the early symptoms.
• Complementary bipolar disorder therapies: These include meditation, lifestyle modifications, exercise, and self-care.

What is the Outlook for Bipolar Disorder?

As bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, one needs to be under continued treatment. With proper treatment and care, a person can live a fulfilling, happy, and productive life.

Bipolar Disorder and Suicide: How Are These Related?

Bipolar disorder can lead to intense episodes of highs and lows. At times, it could be a combination of these extremes, at the same time, and hard to manage. When a person has bipolar disorder and experiences depression, the mood may dip even more. This drop can make one prone to having suicidal thoughts. 

When one is on the other extreme of the mood and feels super high, there is a tendency to take risks increases, or one may hallucinate. If one is in this state of bipolar disorder, the person may end up hurting himself.

So, here is a list of scenarios that may increase the chances of suicide of a person with bipolar disorder:

• When one is in the early period of the diagnoses
• If one has a history of suicide in your family
• If one has attempted suicide previously
• If one is younger than 35 years
• If one experiences severe episodes of depression
• If one has left your condition untreated

Bottom Line

Bipolar disorder is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. However, with long-term and continuous bipolar disorder treatment like medication and talk therapy, one can manage the symptoms and lead a healthy and purposeful life. Therefore, it is crucial to visit the healthcare team regularly to keep track of bipolar disorder treatment plans and symptoms. Remember that your healthcare providers and loved ones are there to support you. At Metropolis Healthcare, we ensure your wellness. Get yourself tested and keep your blood parameters in control seamlessly. Get in touch with us for home testing.