Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that can cause extreme mood swings. It can affect your work, family and relationships.
Symptoms usually appear in late adolescence or early adulthood. They can occur for no reason or be triggered by certain events.
Symptoms
Bipolar disorder is a condition that causes mood swings. These swings can include both a manic episode, when you feel very happy and have energy, and a depressive episode, when you feel sad and down.
Symptoms of both episodes can last weeks or longer, and they can cause problems in your life. For instance, you may start to engage in risky behavior or make poor decisions.
You may also have thoughts of suicide. This is a serious risk for people with bipolar disorder.
It is important to diagnose and treat bipolar disorder as soon as possible. Without treatment, the symptoms can get worse over time, and you may end up with other mental health issues like addiction or substance abuse.
There is no cure for bipolar disorder, but medications can help control your symptoms and prevent them from becoming too severe. Your doctor will determine which medication is best for you.
Diagnosis
If you think you may have bipolar disorder, it’s important to get a diagnosis. Getting the correct diagnosis will help you and your doctor treat the condition effectively.
People with bipolar disorder have mood shifts that last from extreme highs to extreme lows. This can disrupt everyday life.
During a "high" episode, a person can have hallucinations or delusions (false but strongly felt beliefs). They might believe they are famous, have special powers, or have a lot of money.
In contrast, during a "low" episode, a person might feel sad or hopeless and have suicidal thoughts. They might also spend a lot of money or misuse alcohol or drugs.
A medical professional can make the correct diagnosis by conducting a complete psychiatric history and psychological evaluation. They may also order tests to rule out other mental health conditions.
Treatment
Treatment for bipolar disorder often involves taking a combination of medications. These can include antidepressants and antipsychotics.
Some people also have psychological treatment alongside medicine to help them manage symptoms of depression and mania. This can reduce the risk of serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and behavior.
Psychotherapy, or "talk therapy," focuses on changing feelings, behaviors and thinking patterns. It can help you learn how to cope with difficult or uncomfortable feelings, repair relationships, and manage stress.
You might also try interpersonal therapy to improve your relationships with other people in your life. This type of therapy may be useful if you have difficulty relating to others because of bipolar disorder.
Your health care provider might also recommend other treatments for bipolar disorder, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This type of brain stimulation uses a short electromagnetic coil that passes an electric current into your brain.
Prevention
There's no sure way to prevent bipolar disorder, but taking steps to treat it at the earliest stage can help. Pay attention to warning signs of a mood change and call your doctor right away if you think you're headed into an episode.
Treatment options for bipolar disorder include antipsychotic medications, such as lithium or valproate. These may be used to treat episodes of mania, as well as for long-term mood stabilisation.
ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) can also be used to treat manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder. During this procedure, you're put under anesthesia and small electrical currents are applied to the brain.
Other strategies for preventing bipolar disorder include exercising regularly and keeping a good sleep schedule. These can all help you feel more balanced and in control of your symptoms, says psychiatrist Dr. Lee Phillips of Virginia and New York. And speaking with family members or friends about your symptoms can also be helpful.
