What Is Like To Be Bipolar

Living With Bipolar Disorder

Treatment can help you manage mood episodes and cope with the symptoms they cause.

Creating a care team can help you get the most out of treatment. Your team might involve:

• your primary doctor
• a psychiatrist who manages your medications
• a therapist or counselor who provides talk therapy
• other professionals or specialists, such as a sleep specialist, acupuncturist, or massage therapist
• a bipolar disorder support group, or community of other people also living with bipolar disorder

You may need to try a few treatments before you find one that leads to improvement. Some medications work well for some people but not others. In a similar vein, some people find CBT very helpful, while others may see little improvement.

Its always best to be open with your care team about what works and what doesnt. If something doesnt help or makes you feel even worse, dont hold back from letting them know. Your mental health matters, and your care team should always support you in finding the most helpful approach.

A little self-compassion can go a long way, too. Keep in mind that bipolar disorder, like any other mental health condition, didnt happen by choice. Its not caused by anything you did or didnt do.

Its OK to feel frustrated when treatment doesnt seem to work. Try to have patience and treat yourself kindly as you explore new approaches.

What To Expect After Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Recognizing the symptoms early and treating it promptly is necessary to prevent complications such as suicide, homicide and addictions.

Some lifestyle modifications are important in managing bipolar disorder:

• Treatment compliance is of utmost importance for the patient as well as the caregivers.
• Always follow a routine for sleep and meals.
• Talk to your family and friends and ask for their support.
• Try connecting with other patients and caregivers through social groups.
• Talk to a licensed medical practitioner about your symptoms.

What Are The Treatments For Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder can be treated. It’s a long-term condition that needs ongoing care. People who have four or more mood episodes in a year, or who also have drug or alcohol problems, can have forms of the illness that are much harder to treat.

Treatment can make a huge difference. With a combination of things — good medical care, medication, talk therapy, lifestyle changes, and the support of friends and family — you can feel better. Bipolar disorder — or manic depression, as it is also still sometimes called — has no known cure. It is a chronic health condition that requires lifetime management. Plenty of people with this condition do well they have families and jobs and live normal lives.

Medication

Medication is the main treatment, usually involving the following:

• Antidepressant-antipsychotic drugs, a combination of an antidepressant and a mood stabilizer

• Anti-anxiety medications or sleep medicines, such as sedatives like benzodiazepines

It can take a while to find the right combination for you. You may need to try a few things before you and your doctor figure out what works best. Once you do, itâs important to stay on your medication and talk with your doctor before stopping or changing anything.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should talk with their doctors about medications that are safe to take.

Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” is often recommended, too. There are several different types. Options can include:

Lifestyle changes may also help:

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Bipolar Disorder And Other Conditions

Many people with bipolar disorder also have other mental disorders or conditions such as anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder , misuse of drugs or alcohol, or eating disorders. Sometimes people who have severe manic or depressive episodes also have symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusions. The psychotic symptoms tend to match the persons extreme mood. For example, someone having psychotic symptoms during a depressive episode may falsely believe they are financially ruined, while someone having psychotic symptoms during a manic episode may falsely believe they are famous or have special powers.

Looking at symptoms over the course of the illness and the persons family history can help determine whether a person has bipolar disorder along with another disorder.

Depression In Bipolar Ii

A person must experience 5 or more of the following symptoms in 2 weeks to be diagnosed with a major depressive episode:

• Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
• Loss of interest or pleasure in previously favorite activities
• Significant changes in appetite or weight
• Restlessness, such as pacing the room
• Feeling tired, fatigued or low energy to complete tasks
• Sleep disturbances, such insomnia or sleeping too much
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Poor ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness
• Continual thoughts of death recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt

If you see these signs in yourself or someone you know well, please consider reaching out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day at 800-273-8255 and learning more.

feels like the world is crumbling around me, like Im 10-feet underground and cant dig myself up, Rose says.

But as different as the hypomanic and depressive states have felt, Rose reveals that they were similar in one way: They both felt like they would never end.

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Normal And Balanced Mood

I dont always feel either depression or mania. I have periods of normal, stable mood, especially when Im taking my medication like I should. Sometimes, I rely on the people around me to let me know when Im straying from where I should be. This lets me take a breath and remember that its my disorder speaking, and not me. Because I can appreciate what a normal mood is, Im better able to recognize when I am wandering outside of it. I can take steps to limit the harm that I sometimes do when Im feeling reckless. I work to keep my relationships strong when my mood is normal, and I apologize before and after my episodes to stop my mood swings from driving people away. It really helps to be around people who understand that I cant always control my behavior. Its important to have people who can help rein me in and keep an eye on me to make sure Im ok. Its hard to feel out-of-control the way I sometimes do, but I cling to the good memories and keep pushing forward.

Knowing When To Leave

Walking away from a marriage can be a difficult choice. It might feel like the time to leave if:

• The relationship feels consistently unhealthy.
• You are constantly taxed, burnt out, or unable to care for your own needs.
• You feel unsafe.

Alternately, the partner with bipolar disorder may be the one to decide the relationship is not beneficial for their well-being anymore. Some signs might be:

• They feel consistently judged or stigmatized by their partner.
• They feel their spouse doesnt support them.
• The relationship feels unsafe .

Seeking psychotherapy to help clarify these issues can be important for both partners in the relationship.

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Symptoms Of A Mixed Episode

A mixed episode of bipolar disorder features symptoms of both mania or hypomania and depression. Common signs of a mixed episode include depression combined with agitation, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, distractibility, and racing thoughts. This combination of high energy and low mood makes for a particularly high risk of suicide.

What Causes Bipolar Disorder

Experts dont know for sure why some people experience bipolar disorder. Your genetics can play a part and your experiences too.

If any of your family members have experienced bipolar disorder, youve more chance of developing it too. But scientists say no single gene can be linked to bipolar disorder.

Someone in your immediate family might live with bipolar disorder, like a parent, brother, or sister. If they do, theres a 13 in 100 chance you will develop it too. The risk is higher if both of your parents or your twin live with the condition.

For some people symptoms of bipolar disorder can be triggered by stressful things in their lives. These things can include:

• relationship problems,
• being in debt or money issues.

You can find more information about Does mental illness run in families by clicking here.

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I Want To Know What Love Is: Questions To Consider

During a period of stability, analyze core aspects of healthy love relationships for you, as well as core qualities of your illness. When in doubt as to whether youre truly in love or experiencing mania, refer back to your answers.

#1 What Characterizes Your Bipolar Manic States?

This question is a basic one for anyone with bipolar disorder. Although it may vary somewhat, theres generally a pattern you can identify when it comes to relationships. Do you embrace romance? Start a friendship group in your apartment? Pursue sexual encounters in person or online? Note other telltale symptoms, such as changes in sleep patterns or excessive spending.

#2 What Is Love for You?

Can you identify differences between your experience of love when healthy and when manic? This knowledge may be elusive and change with different stages of life, but reflection should provide you with some guideposts.

#3 What Qualities Would a Loving Partner Have?

Who would make a compatible mate? Ask yourself this question for three points of time in your life: when you are depressed and needy, manic and invincible, and at a point when your mood is even. You will need a partner in all three states.

#4 What about Sex?

From In the Mood for Love, Haase and Goldenberg

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What Are The Symptoms Of Mania

Symptoms of a manic episode

• Having an abnormally high level of activity or energy.
• Feeling extremely happy or excited even euphoric.
• Not sleeping or only getting a few hours of sleep but still feeling rested.
• Having an inflated self-esteem, thinking youre invincible.
• Being more talkative than usual. Talking so much and so fast that others cant interrupt.
• Having racing thoughts having lots of thoughts on lots of topics at the same time .
• Being easily distracted by unimportant or unrelated things.
• Being obsessed with and completely absorbed in an activity.
• Displaying purposeless movements, such as pacing around your home or office or fidgeting when youre sitting.
• Showing impulsive behavior that can lead to poor choices, such as buying sprees, reckless sex or foolish business investments.

Psychotic symptoms of a manic episode

• Delusions. Delusions are false beliefs or ideas that are incorrect interpretations of information. An example is a person thinking that everyone they see is following them.
• Hallucinations. Having a hallucination means you see, hear, taste, smell or feel things that arent really there. An example is a person hearing the voice of someone and talking to them when theyre not really there.

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What Are The Triggers Of Manic Episodes

Manic episode triggers are unique to each person. Youll have to become a bit of a detective and monitor your mood and start to track how you feel before an episode and when it occurs. Ask family and close friends who you trust and have close contact with to help identify your triggers. As outside observers, they may notice changes from your usual behavior more easily than you do.

Knowing your triggers can help you prepare for an episode, lessen the effect of an episode or prevent it from happening at all.

Common triggers to be aware of include:

• A highly stimulating situation or environment .
• A major life change .
• Substance use, such as recreational drugs or alcohol.

Here Is How This Young Man Describes The Middle

This is what I imagine its like for everyone else you know, normal people. I wake up in the morning and I feel fine. I dont dread going about my day. I go to work, get things done, and have plenty of energy throughout the day.

I can roll with the punches the average day gives me. Im not freaking out over small problems, I enjoy the little things, and Im not loathing the future.

I feel normal and its how I see myself. Im not some lunatic running around or some mopey, lazy slug.

I honestly wish I could stay in this mindset all the time, but I know that wont happen. Ive accepted that my moods will change on their own, so I enjoy the calm more when its there.

Keep in mind that symptoms of bipolar disorder in children differ from symptoms in adults. Symptoms in children may include:

• a change in sleep pattern

These behaviors dont always point to bipolar disorder, but you should see a doctor if your childs moods become episodic and frequently shift between happiness and sadness.

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Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified

Bipolar disorder not otherwise specified is a general category for a person who only has symptoms of bipolar disorder that dont match the three other categories. The symptoms are not enough to make a diagnosis of one of the other three types.

The signs of bipolar disorder can generally be divided into those for mania, and those for depression.

Coping When A Loved One Has Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is unpredictable. Take it one day at a time. Healing doesnt happen overnight, and its completely normal to worry about your relative during their mania and depressive episodes. You may fear them making reckless or irresponsible decisions, and harming themselves during an emotional low.

Bipolar disorder can be a lifelong struggle. The more you learn about the condition, the easier itll be to offer support. People with bipolar disorder cannot control their emotions or moods. Remember, bipolar disorder isnt a sign of weakness. It is a mental illness. Avoid insensitive or negative comments like snap out of it, or get a grip.

Let them know youre there to help in any way you can. Offering practical assistance can reduce their stress level and help keep their emotions under control. For example, help out around their house or offer to research local support groups for them.

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What Hypomania Looks And Feels Like: Roses Account

According to some people with bipolar II, hypomania feels less like an illness and more like a great mood. This makes it harder to pinpoint in the early years because increased energy and confidence arent necessarily things youd complain about to your doctor.

Through the early years of my diagnosis, it was much harder to detect when I was in a hypomanic state, recalls Rose.

I remember feeling invincible and taking much more risks like running in the street, starting fights and arguments, having more of a god-complex way of thinking where nothing could hurt/affect/bring me down.

What Is Bipolar Disorder In Teens

Bipolar disorder is a type of depression.

There are 3 main types of depression:

• Major depression

• Bipolar disorder

• Persistent depressive disorder

A teen with bipolar disorder often has extreme mood swings. These mood swings go beyond the days normal ups and downs. A teen may have times of great elation, happiness, elevated mood, or irritability. This is called mania. These episodes are countered by periods of major depression. That is why this disorder has two poles or symptoms.

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What Its Like To Have Bipolar By People Who Have Bipolar

Around 1% of us will develop bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression.

People with bipolar experience both episodes of severe depression, and episodes of mania overwhelming joy, excitement or happiness, huge energy, a reduced need for sleep, and reduced inhibitions.

The experience of bipolar is uniquely personal. No two people have exactly the same experience.

Bipolar disorder has been associated with genius and with creativity. It is certainly true that a number of contemporary high achievers and creatives have spoken of their experiences, and throughout history it is possible to recognise bipolar type traits in the artistic, political and academic spheres. But what is it actually like?

I was diagnosed with bipolar in my late teens, in my first year at university. The diagnosis have shaped my adult identity and experiences.

This week I have been collecting answers to four simple questions from a range of people who have bipolar, to demonstrate the range of experiences out there, and some of the things that help.

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Manic Symptoms In Children

Symptoms of mania in children can include:

• acting very silly and feeling overly happy
• talking fast and rapidly changing subjects
• having trouble focusing or concentrating
• doing risky things or experimenting with risky behaviors
• having a very short temper that leads quickly to outbursts of anger
• having trouble sleeping and not feeling tired after sleep loss

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What Is The Treatment For Bipolar

Treatment for bipolar includes medicines and talk therapy. Medicine can help keep moods stable. But by itself, medicine isnt enough. A person with bipolar needs talk therapy, too.

Each persons treatment is tailored to what they need. A type of talk therapy called DBT helps most people. In this therapy, people can learn skills to manage moods. For example, they can learn to:

• become more mindful of their emotions and thoughts
• manage their emotions
• cope with strong emotions in healthy ways
• set up and follow routines that help keep moods stable
• be patient and kind to themselves
• care for themselves in positive ways
• get along better with others

With time and practice, these skills can become part of a persons daily life.

Therapy also includes making goals and working out ways to move toward them. In therapy, people track their progress. Many find strengths they didnt know they had.

When possible, parents take part in treatment. This helps them understand bipolar moods and how to best respond. It can help families have less conflict, relate better, and feel closer.