Bipolar disorder
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Bipolar Disorder
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition which causes intense mood swings that affect energy level, decision making, and everyday life. Bipolar disorder stays with people for their entire lives, but with a strong treatment plan, it can be managed.
People with bipolar disorder experience drastic mood swings which cause them to bounce between mania and depression. In fact, bipolar disorder used to be known as manic depression.
What is Mania?
Mania is one half of bipolar disorder. Mania is the part of bipolar disorder that doesn’t always seem bad, but often is just as damaging as the other main symptom of bipolar disorder: depression. When someone with bipolar disorder is in a manic state or experiencing a manic episode, they may show some of the following symptoms:
Highly distractible
Abnormally talkative
Rapid speech
Impulsivity
Reckless behavior
Poor decision making
Less need for sleep
Extreme sense of well-being or high levels of self-confidence, also known as euphoria
High levels of activity or energy
Easily agitated
During manic episodes, it’s hard for someone with bipolar disorder to stop. They may be highly productive, but also easily distracted, causing them to jump from task to task, or they may get frustrated and angry when they’re interrupted. Easily agitated and highly energetic, manic episodes cause problems for people at school and at work, as well as creating problems in relationships.
What are Depressive Episodes?
Major depressive episodes are the other main aspect of bipolar disorder. These episodes are periods where someone with bipolar disorder has marked differences in their abilities at work, school, in their social life, and in their relationships. Depressive episodes include some of the following symptoms:
General disinterest
Feeling no pleasure in usually enjoyable activities
Loss of energy, fatigue
Intense feelings of guilt
Low concentration levels
Hopelessness, constant feelings of sadness
Feeling worthless
Considering suicide
Significant changes in weight, increase or decrease in appetite
Depressive episodes often look like the opposite of manic episodes. They are periods of time where someone with bipolar disorder feel worthless, constantly sad, and tired. Depressive episodes stand in the way of someone getting things done at work or school, and stop them from being their best in social situations.
What causes bipolar disorder?
There are a variety of factors which cause bipolar disorder. Genetics can play a big role. If one of your parents has bipolar disorder, there is a 10 to 15 percent greater risk that you will experience it as well. Chemicals in the brain also play a role. Dysfunction of certain neurotransmitters in the brain can trigger bipolar disorder.
Another major cause of bipolar disorder is your environment. Things like stressful or traumatic life events, alcohol or drug abuse, or extreme social situations can all be factors influencing bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment
While bipolar disorder is something that sticks with people for their whole lives, life can be manageable and enjoyable if a treatment plan is put into place. With a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and education, bipolar symptoms can be controlled.
At Nashville Center for Trauma & Psychotherapy, we help people with bipolar disorder create effective coping strategies for when they feel manic or depressive episodes coming on. We help individuals with bipolar disorder identify negative patterns in their life and thoughts and replace them with positive, solution focused ideas and actions.
If you or someone you know is experiencing the symptoms of bipolar disorder, know there is hope and tangible steps to be taken that will help. Get started by reaching out to Nashville Center for Trauma & Psychotherapy today.
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