Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by intense shifts in mood. Patients witness a sudden increase or decrease in energy levels and activity levels when suffering from a manic episode followed by depressive ones.

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Introduction

Manic phases may bring heightened energy, severe irritability and even impulsive behaviour. Depressive phases often include persistent sadness, fatigue and hopelessness. These fluctuations disrupt a patient’s daily life and can even cause extreme stress for the family.

Treatment includes therapy and medication depending on the severity of the ailment. However, patients must prioritise consulting professional therapists before taking any medication. Read on to learn more about the ailments and various other factors associated with it.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar Disorder is a lifelong mental health condition marked by dramatic changes in behaviour and emotions. Patients suffer from a diverse range of thoughts, energy, and behaviours that disrupt the daily routine of a patient. These symptoms may last for extended periods disrupting the momentum of work gained by patients on normal days.

There are 4 main categories of Bipolar Disorder. They go as follows:

Bipolar I Disorder: Bipolar I Disorder involves at least 1 manic disorder that lasts for at least 7 days. Patients might have to get hospitalised for other mental health disorders like depression and anxiety at the same time featuring mood extremes.
Bipolar II Disorder: Bipolar II Disorder includes recurring depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, without full mania. The disorder becomes more challenging due to frequent depressive symptoms.
Cyclothymia Disorder: Cyclothymia features long-term mood instability. Patients alternate between hypomanic and mild depressive symptoms for a period of 2 years. Normal mood is experienced for a short period for only under 8 weeks.
Unspecified Bipolar Disorders: This category of bipolar disorders shows significant mood elevation symptoms. However, the criteria for getting diagnosed with Bipolar I, Bipolar II or cyclothymia are not met. However, clinical attention is still required.

What Are The Causes of Bipolar Disorder?

Here are the 5 most common causes of bipolar disorder that most patients suffer from:

1. Childhood Trauma

Emotional neglect, physical or sexual abuse and unstable family environments can cause behavioural changes in a patient’s mind. This disrupts the healthy psychological development of a child leading to an imbalance in emotional development. Patients are more prone to mood instability later in life which contributes to the onset of bipolar disorder.

2. Stressful Events in Life

Major stressful life events are relationship breakdowns and financial difficulties. Patients facing the intense pressure of work experience triggers more often. These triggers disrupt emotional growth potentially provoking manic or depressive shifts. Coping mechanisms are overwhelmed and patients end up breaking down in stressful situations.

3. Altered Brain Chemistry

Imbalances in neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine affect mood regulation. Patients with bipolar disorder often have an altered brain chemistry because of which they are not able to control their behaviour. Certain environmental factors disturb the way a patient processes information which alters the normal functioning of the brain.

4. Substance Abuse

Abuse of alcohol, recreational drugs and stimulants significantly increases the frequency of episodes. These substances interfere with brain chemistry and worsen emotional regulation. In vulnerable patients, long-term substance abuse can aggravate symptoms of bipolar disorder.

5. Other Health Ailments

Certain medical conditions like thyroid disorder and neurological problems can influence mood levels. Hormonal imbalances are very common in such cases. Such underlying issues intensify bipolar symptoms, complicate diagnosis and contribute to emotional dysregulation. People sometimes develop bipolar disorder later in life due to lifestyle-related ailments.

What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?

Here are the 7 most common signs and symptoms exhibited by patients suffering from bipolar disorder:

1. Mood Episodes

The key indicator of bipolar disorder I is the presence of a manic episode lasting one week. Patients suffering from bipolar II disorder and cyclothymia experience hypomanic episodes instead of full mania. The intensity may differ but changes in behaviour and mood are noticeable.

2. Variability of Mood Episodes

Patients with bipolar disorder cycle between elevated and depressed states of mood. However, the pattern of these mood swings is not predictable. For instance, depression does not always follow mania. Patients might experience several episodes of the same mood before shifting to the opposite state.

3. Duration of Mood Changes

Mood fluctuation in bipolar disorder extends over weeks, months and sometimes, even years. These changes are significant enough to disrupt daily routines and productivity. These changes distinguish them from normal mood variations.

4. Departure from Usual Behaviour

Bipolar mood episodes differ greatly from a person’s typical emotional behaviour. Manic episodes last several days or weeks while depressive ones often persist for weeks or months. This has a severe effect on motivation, energy levels of a patient and overall functioning.

5. Varied Severity of Episodes

The severity of manic and depressive phases varies among individuals. These changes do not remain the same but change throughout a person’s life. Some patients might have frequent or intense episodes while some might experience milder or occasional mood shifts.

6. Signs of Manic Episodes

Manic episodes involve heightened irritability, restlessness and even rapid speech. Some patients exhibit racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep and impulsivity. They develop risk-taking behaviours and even psychosis. Patients are often unaware of the potential consequences of their behaviour during mania, making bipolar disorder dangerous.

7. Need for Immediate Support

Severe manic episodes—especially those involving hallucinations or delusions—may require hospitalisation. The risk of suicide in such cases goes up during manic and depressive states. This highlights the importance of timely intervention and providing continuous support to patients.

What Are The Best Treatments for Bipolar Disorder?

Therapists at Calida Rehab Centre administer one of the following therapies depending on the health of a patient. Medication is prescribed depending upon the therapy being administered and the stage of the disorder.

Some of the most commonly prescribed psychotherapies are:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps patients identify negative thoughts. These unhelpful patterns of behaviour rebuild coping mechanisms. Therapists treat patients by supporting their emotional stability of a patient.
Family-focused therapies educate families about bipolar disorder. The aim is to reduce conflict, communicate clearly amongst themselves and make symptom management easier.
Self-care psychotherapy encourages the adoption of healthy routines. This leads to independent stress management and helps manage episodes effectively. Patients lead a life with a balanced routine and proper functioning.

Independent Management By Patients:

Practise Meditation and Yoga

Yoga and meditation help a patient develop a healthy lifestyle. Deep breathing regulates the blood flow, calms the mind and maintains the hormonal balance of the body. With yoga, patients can maintain a healthy body weight and stay active at the same time.

Avoid Drugs and Alcohol

Drugs and alcohol can lead to various mental and physical problems. Not only does alcohol raise the blood sugar levels, but it also leads to weight gain and feeds anxiety. Patients are not able to process their emotions fully causing intense psychological stress.

Maintain a Proper Circadian Rhythm

Maintaining a proper circadian rhythm or a sleep cycle helps proper repair of muscles. Patients are able to process information properly and keep hormones in check. Lack of sleep can have an adverse effect on the skin and affect the digestive system of a human. Patients must sleep at the right time and wake up with the sun.

Develop a Positive Mindset

Therapists at Calida Rehab Centre counsel patients to develop a positive mindset. Patients are trained to think, act and speak positively. They are trained to control their emotions by writing journals and explaining everything to their counsellors properly. Spending time with friends and staying in touch with family ensures mood elevation and more.

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Can Bipolar Disorder be managed independently?

Bipolar Disorder can be managed independently but only after consulting a therapist. Consistent communication with the therapists, regular attendance at appointments and awareness of personal triggers are a must. Patients must remain fully committed to therapeutic strategies for long-term stability.

How is depression different from bipolar disorder?

Depression involves a patient suffering from a persistent low mood and decreased energy. Bipolar disorder, includes alternating between depressive periods and manic episodes. People with bipolar disorder experience extreme highs and lows whereas those with depression consistently remain in a prolonged low state.

Can a person with bipolar disorder lead a normal life?

Yes. A person with bipolar disorder can lead a normal life. With consistent psychotherapy and regular treatment updates, patients are trained to identify and manage their triggers independently. They are counselled to adhere to recommendations that support emotional stability and lead a life with a healthier lifestyle.

How can a patient suffering from bipolar disorder manage his life independently?

A patient suffering from bipolar disorder can manage his or her life independently by recognising triggers at the right time. Once the therapy sessions are over, patients can stay in contact with the therapists to learn intermittently and talk about their emotional variations. Regular journaling, deep breathing and self-awareness also help a patient.

What are the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Frequent mood swings are the most common symptom of bipolar disorder. Patients either feel depressed or have severe manic episodes. The duration of the episode depends on the type of bipolar disorder a patient is diagnosed with. Some patients might also exhibit suicidal symptoms for which immediate help must be provided.