Bipolar Disorder

What is it?

Formally called manic-depressive illness or manic depression, bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings and shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and activity levels. There are three types of bipolar disorder, all of which can make it very difficult for the individual to complete day-to-day tasks. The mood swings can vary from extreme emotional highs (mania or hypomania) to extreme lows (depression) (Mayo Clinic, 2024). 

With depression, you may feel sad, despondent, hopeless, and sometimes lose interest in most activities. Whereas with mania or hypomania, you may feel energized, euphoric, irritable, or impulsive.

Bipolar I

This type of bipolar is defined as having manic episodes that last constantly for 7 days, or, in some instances, the manic symptoms can be so severe that immediate medical care is needed. Depressive episodes will also occur with bipolar I, which typically last for at least 2 weeks. It is also possible that the individual could have a mix of depressive symptoms and manic symptoms at the same time (National Institute of Mental Health, 2024). 

Symptoms of mania include lack of concentration, high sex drive, impulsiveness, and drug or alcohol abuse (Mayo Clinic, 2022).

Symptoms of depression include low energy, feeling hopeless, changes in appetite, suicidal thoughts, trouble sleeping, or trouble concentrating (Mayo Clinic, 2022).

Bipolar II

Bipolar II is similar to bipolar I and is defined by a pattern of depressive and hypomanic episodes. Hypomanic episodes are less intense and last for a shorter period than manic episodes, as described in Bipolar I, whereas depressive episodes usually last longer in Bipolar II (National Institute of Mental Health, 2024).

Cyclothymic Disorder

Is defined as having recurring hypomanic and depressive symptoms that are less intense and do not last long enough to qualify as hypomanic or depressive episodes (National Institute of Mental Health, 2024).

Diagnosis of Bipolar

Bipolar symptoms can sometimes appear in children; however, typically, they are diagnosed in late adolescence or early adulthood. One of the most prominent signs of bipolar disorder in children and teens is severe mood swings that are different from their usual mood swings (National Institute of Mental Health, 2024).

Are there risk factors for bipolar?

Some research suggests that bipolar can be hereditary; however, no one gene causes bipolar. Sometimes an individual can experience bipolar symptoms that are induced by certain drugs or alcohol, or by other medical conditions such as a stroke or multiple sclerosis (McIntyre et al., 2020). Additionally, sometimes a stressful event or major life change can trigger symptoms. A significant stressful event can bring about a manic or depressive episode in an individual who has bipolar disorder.

Treatment options

Bipolar does not get better on its own, so getting mental health support from a professional is important. Treatment usually requires medication, which would include mood stabilizers or antipsychotics, as well as psychosocial strategies (Vieta et al., 2018).

Initially, the first step is to reach out to a primary care doctor who can refer you to a psychiatrist, who will then assess and diagnose. The addition of psychotherapy for bipolar can be helpful; in fact, research supports that individuals receiving medication for bipolar along with psychotherapy have an easier time managing their illness and enhancing coping skills (Miklowitz et al., 2020).

If you or someone you know struggles with bipolar disorder, please contact us at 647-267-9853. Our therapists, Samuele , Svetlana, and Natasha, here at Vaughan Counselling and Psychotherapy specialize in helping with bipolar disorder.

References 

National Institute of Mental Health. (2024, February). Bipolar disorder. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder#part_2261

Mayo Clinic. (2022, December 13). Bipolar disorder. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955

McIntyre, R. S., Berk, M., Brietzke, E., Goldstein, B. I., López-Jaramillo, C., Kessing, L. V., Malhi, G. S., Nierenberg, A. A., Roseblat, J. D., Majeed, A., Vieta, E., Vinberg, M., Young, A. H., & Mansur, R. B. (2020). Bipolar disorders. The Lancet, 396(10265), 1841-1856. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31544-0

Miklowitz, D. J., Efthimiou, O., Furukawa, T. A., Scott, J., McLaren, R., Geddes, J. R., & Cipriani, A. (2020). Adjunctive psychotherapy for bipolar disorder: A systematic review and component network meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 78(2), 141-150. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.2993

Vieta, E., Berk, M., Schulze, T. G., Carvalho, A. F., Suppes, T., Calabrese, J. R., Gao, K., Miskowiak, K. W., & Grande, I. (2018). Bipolar disorder. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 4, 18008. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2018.8