What is Bipolar disorder?
Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder characterised by significant alternating episodes of extremely high and low moods. These mood shifts could last for weeks and they affect energy, activity levels, concentration, sleep, behaviour, and the ability to think clearly which makes it difficult to function and manage daily activities.
These moods are categorised into:
Mania: the “high” periods in which one experiences elated mood and elevated energy, feeling extremely happy and overactive, decreased need for sleep and distractibility.
Hypomania: during these, one experiences elevated moods and high energy levels but less severely than mania and of shorter duration.
Depression: the “low” periods in which one experiences low mood and energy levels, feelings of worthlessness, sadness, guilt and emptiness, fatigue, and sleep difficulties.
Types of Bipolar Disorder:
There are three main types of Bipolar disorder:
Bipolar I: it is when the person has at least one manic episode that has markedly impaired his or her social or occupational functions. Depressive episodes may or may not be present.
Bipolar II: it is when the person experiences depressive episodes with at least one hypomanic episode.
Cyclothymic disorder: it is when the person experiences hypomanic episodes alternating with mild depressive episodes. Its course is irregular and less severe than Bipolar disorder, but it could be a precursor for it.
Causes:
The exact causes of Bipolar are still unknown. A combination of many factors plays a role in developing this disorder, such as biological factors; for example, Bipolar disorders run in families, and environmental factors like stress or trauma.
Signs and Symptoms:
Symptoms
Mania
Elevated energy
Inflated self-esteem
Decreased need for sleep
Distractibility
Racing thoughts and fast talking
Increased goal directed activities
Agitation
Increased appetite or indulgence in pleasurable activities.
Hypomania
Similar to Mania but less severe and lasts for a few days only.
Elevated mood
Increased energy
Decreased need to sleep
Quick and intense mood swings
Distractibility
Depresion
Low mood
Inability to do tasks
Diminished interest in activities
Weight changes (increase or decrease)
Fatigue and loss of energy
Inability to think or concentrate
Trouble with sleeping (excessive sleeping or inability to sleep)
Thoughts of death or suicide.
Mixed
A mixture of mania or hypomania,and depressive symptoms.
Treatment Options at Mind Clinic:
Bipolar disorders are lifelong conditions that require long term treatment to stabilise the symptoms, control the mood of affected people, and to maintain remission.
In Mind Clinic we follow a holistic approach in assessing and treating Bipolar Disorders. Firstly, a psychiatric assessment would be conducted in which the doctor assesses the person through personal interview, family members interview, questionnaires and sometimes other tests may be required depending on the individual’s medical history.After the assessment and diagnosis, an initial plan is made depending on what is best for the person. This usually includes a combination of medications that help with stabilising the mood, and therapy approaches that help with managing the symptoms and provide support and assistance in working towards personal, career or educational goals. A psychological assessment would be conducted by a therapist to determine what might help according to the individual’s specific needs, the options could include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Interpersonal therapy (IPT).
Other options could be discussed as a part of the personalised plan for each person such as family focused therapy, nutrition and diet counselling, and education.
References:
Royal college of psychiatrists. (2020, August). Bipolar Disorder. https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/mental-illnesses-and-mental-health-problems/bipolar-disorder
National Institute of Mental Health. (2034, February). Bipolar Disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. (n. d.). Bipolar Disorder. https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/bipolar-disorder/#treatment
William Coryell, W. (2023, October). Bipolar Disorders. MSD Manual. https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/mental-health-disorders/mood-disorders/bipolar-disorder
Centre For Clinical Interventions. (2019, November 5). Bipolar Disorder. https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/For-Clinicians/Bipolar-Disorder