How To Tell If You Are Bipolar – Bipolar disorder (formerly known as bipolar disorder or manic-depressive disorder) is a mental illness that causes abnormal changes in mood, energy, activity level, concentration, and ability to perform daily tasks.
There are three types of bipolar disorder. All three types involve significant changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These emotions range from extreme “up” behavior, happy, irritable, or energetic (called manic episodes) to periods of extreme “down”, sad, apathetic, or despair (called depressive episodes). Less severe periods of mania are called hypomanic episodes.
How To Tell If You Are Bipolar
Sometimes, a person may experience symptoms of bipolar disorder that do not fit into the three categories above, which are called “other specified and unspecified bipolar disorders and related disorders.”
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Bipolar disorder is usually diagnosed in late adolescence (adolescence) or early adulthood. Sometimes, children experience bipolar symptoms. Although symptoms can change over time, bipolar disorder usually requires lifelong treatment. Following a prescribed treatment plan can help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
People with bipolar disorder experience periods of unusually intense emotions, changes in sleep patterns and activity levels, and unusual behaviors—often unaware of the harmful or adverse effects they may be experiencing. These distinct periods are called “emotional episodes.” Mood episodes are very different from normal human emotions and behaviors. During an attack, symptoms last most of the day. Episodes may also last longer, such as days or weeks.
Sometimes people have manic and depressive symptoms in the same episode, which is called an episode with mixed features. People who experience episodes with mixed features may feel very sad, empty or hopeless, and feel very energetic at the same time.
A person can have bipolar disorder, even if their symptoms are less extreme. For example, some people with bipolar II disorder experience hypomania, a less severe form of mania. During a hypomanic episode, a person may feel very well, able to complete work and go about their daily lives. The person may not feel anything is wrong, but family and friends may think that changes in mood or activity level may be bipolar. Without proper treatment, people with hypomania may develop mania or severe depression.
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Proper diagnosis and treatment can help people with bipolar disorder lead healthy and active lives. The first step is to talk to a doctor or other licensed health care provider. A health care provider can complete a physical exam and order any necessary medical tests to rule out other conditions. The health care provider may then conduct a mental health evaluation or provide a referral to a trained mental health care provider, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or clinical social worker experienced in diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder.
Mental health care providers typically diagnose bipolar disorder based on a person’s symptoms, lifetime medical history, experiences, and, in some cases, family history. Accurate diagnosis is especially important in young adults. You can find tips for talking to your health care provider in the Tips for Talking to Your Health Care Provider About Your Mental Health Fact Sheet.
Many people with bipolar disorder also have other mental disorders or conditions, such as anxiety disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), substance or alcohol abuse, or eating disorders. Sometimes, people who experience severe manic or depressive episodes also experience psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions. Psychotic symptoms often correspond to a person’s extreme emotions. For example, a person experiencing psychotic symptoms during a depressive episode may mistakenly believe they are financially bankrupt, while a person experiencing psychotic symptoms during a manic episode may mistakenly believe they are famous or have special powers.
Looking at symptoms over the course of the illness and a person’s family history can help determine whether a person has bipolar disorder and other disorders.
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Researchers are studying possible causes of bipolar disorder. Most agree that there is no single cause, and it is likely that many factors contribute to a person’s chance of getting sick.
Brain structure and function: Some studies suggest that the brains of people with bipolar disorder may differ from the brains of people who do not have bipolar disorder or any other mental disorder. Knowing more about these differences can help scientists understand bipolar disorder and determine the most effective treatments. Currently, healthcare providers develop diagnosis and treatment plans based on a person’s symptoms and medical history, not brain imaging or other diagnostic tests.
Genetics: Some studies suggest that people with certain genes are more likely to develop bipolar disorder. Research also shows that people whose parents or siblings have bipolar disorder have a higher chance of developing bipolar disorder themselves. Many genes are involved, none of which can cause the disease. Knowing more about how genes play a role in bipolar disorder could help researchers develop new treatments.
Treatment can help many people, including those with the most severe forms of bipolar disorder. An effective treatment plan often includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy.
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Bipolar disorder is a lifelong disorder. Episodes of mania and depression often recur over time. Between episodes, many people with bipolar disorder do not experience mood swings, but some may experience lingering symptoms. Long-term and ongoing treatment can help people manage these symptoms.
Certain medications can help manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Some people may need to try several different medications and work with their healthcare provider before finding the one that works best for them.
The most common types of medication prescribed by doctors include mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics. Mood stabilizers such as lithium or valproate can help prevent or reduce the severity of mood episodes. Lithium may also reduce the risk of suicide. Medicines for sleep or anxiety are sometimes added to mood stabilizers as part of a treatment plan.
Although bipolar depression is usually treated with antidepressants, mood stabilizers must also be taken because antidepressants alone can trigger manic episodes or rapid cycling in people with bipolar disorder. Because people with bipolar disorder are more likely to seek help when they are depressed than with mania or hypomania, taking a careful medical history is important to ensure that bipolar disorder is not mistaken for depression.
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Avoid stopping your medication without talking to your healthcare provider first. Stopping the medication suddenly can cause bipolar symptoms to “recover” or worsen. For basic information about medications, visit the Mental Health Medications webpage. Read the latest drug warnings, patient drug guides, and information about newly approved drugs on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can be an effective part of the treatment plan for people with bipolar disorder. Psychotherapy is the term for a range of therapeutic techniques designed to help people identify and change disturbing emotions, thoughts and behaviours. It can provide support, education and guidance for people with bipolar disorder and their families.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an important treatment for depression, and CBT for insomnia is particularly useful as an important part of the treatment of bipolar depression.
Treatment may also include new therapies designed specifically to treat bipolar disorder, including interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) and family-centered therapy. Determining whether intensive psychotherapeutic interventions in the early stages of bipolar disorder can prevent or limit full episodes is an important area of ongoing research.
Quiz: Are Your Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Under Control?
Unlike psychotherapy and certain medications that are scientifically proven to improve the symptoms of bipolar disorder, complementary health approaches to bipolar disorder, such as natural products, are not based on current knowledge or evidence. For more information, visit the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health website.
If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or thinking of harming themselves, please call or text 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can also call the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). For a medical emergency, please call 911.
Living with bipolar disorder can be challenging, but there are ways to make life easier for you, your friends or loved ones.
Remember, bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but long-term ongoing treatment can help manage symptoms and allow you to live a healthy life.
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Clinical trials are studies that investigate new ways to prevent, detect or treat diseases and conditions. The goal of a clinical trial is to determine whether a new test or treatment is effective and safe. Although individuals may benefit from participating in clinical trials, participants should be aware that the primary purpose of clinical trials is to gain new scientific knowledge that can better help others in the future.
Many studies have been conducted on patients and healthy volunteers by researchers around the country and across the country. Thanks to clinical trials discovered years ago, we have new and better treatment options today. Be part of tomorrow’s medical success. Discuss clinical trials with your healthcare provider, the benefits and risks, and whether one is right for you
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