Understanding Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. These shifts can make it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are three types of bipolar disorder:
- Bipolar I disorder: Periods of extremely “up,” elated, irritable, or energized behavior (known as manic episodes) that last for at least 7 days (nearly every day for most of the day) or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate medical care.
- Bipolar II disorder: A pattern of very “down,” sad, indifferent, or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes) and less severe manic periods, known as hypomanic episodes.
Cyclothymic disorder (also known as cyclothymia): Recurring hypomanic and depressive symptoms that are not intense enough or do not last long enough to qualify as hypomanic or depressive episodes.
All three types involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. Sometimes, a person might experience symptoms of bipolar disorder that do not match the three categories listed above, and this is referred to as “other specified and unspecified bipolar and related disorders.”
Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
People with bipolar disorder experience periods of unusually intense emotion and changes in sleep patterns and activity levels and engage in behaviors that are out of character for them—often without recognizing their likely harmful or undesirable effects. These distinct periods are called mood episodes. Mood episodes are very different from the person’s usual moods and behaviors. During an episode, the symptoms last every day for most of the day.
Manic Episode Symptoms:
- Feeling very up, high, elated, or extremely irritable or touchy
- Having a decreased need for sleep
- Talking fast about a lot of things at once without getting tired
- Feeling able to do many things at once without getting tired
Depressive Episode Symptoms:
- Feeling very down, sad, or anxious
- Having trouble falling asleep, waking up too early, or sleeping too much
- Having trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Having a lack of interest in almost all activities
Risk Factors for Bipolar Disorder
While the exact causes of bipolar disorder are unknown, researchers continue to study the possible causes. Most agree that many factors are likely to contribute to a person’s chance of having the disorder. For instance, a person’s genetics may play a role in developing bipolar disorder. However, at this time, healthcare providers base the diagnosis and treatment plan on a person’s symptoms and history rather than brain imaging or other diagnostic tests.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment
Following a prescribed treatment plan can help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Generally speaking, an effective treatment for bipolar disorder combines medication and therapy. But the first step is reaching out to talk to one of our highly trained mental health clinicians at Vitalize in Fresno. We can help complete a thorough assessment to rule out other possible causes and customize a treatment plan specifically for your individual needs.
Note: The information on this page is provided in part by the National Institute of Mental Health. For more up-to-date information, click here.
