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OVERVIEW

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings. People with bipolar often experience periods of extremely “up”, elated, irritable, or energized behavior (also called maniac episodes), and very sad, indifferent or hopeless periods (depressive episodes).

Episodes of mood swings from depression to Mania may occur rarely multiple times a year. Between episodes, some people have long periods of emotional stability while others may frequently have mood swings.

Bipolar requires a lifelong treatment, but an effective treatment plan can help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life

Types of bipolar

• Bipolar I disorder: This is when a patient has had at least one maniac episode that may come before hypomanic or major depressive episode.
• Bipolar II disorder: This when you have had at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode.
• Cyclothymia: This is when you’ve had at least two years, or one year in children or teenagers- of many periods of hypomania symptoms. These symptoms are less severe than major depression.

SYMPTOMS

Mania and hypomania

Mania and hypomania are different but have the same symptoms. Mania is more severe than hypomania. Manic and hypomanic episodes include these symptoms:

• unusually talkative and talking fast
• being much more active, energetic or agitated than usual
• having racing thoughts or jumping quickly from one topic to another
• easily distracted,
• feeling a distorted sense of wellbeing or too self-confident
• not sleeping enough
• Suicidal thoughts
• not being able to concentrate or make decisions

Major depressive episode

• being very tired and losing energy
• sleeping too little or too much
• losing a lot of weight when not dieting and gaining weight
• having a depressive mood where you feel sad, empty, hopeless and tearful
• loss of interest in all activities
• feeling slower or restless
• Suicidal thoughts
• not being able to concentrate

CAUSES

• Biological differences: People with bipolar appear to have physical changes in their brains.
• Genetics: Bipolar disorder is more common in people who have a first degree relative, such as a sibling or parent with the condition.