what is bipolar disorder?
About Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. Untreated bipolar disorder can result in poor job or school performance, damaged relationships, and even suicide. Here is good news: bipolar disorder is very treatable, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.
About 5.7 million American adults, or about 2.6 percent of the population, age 18 and older in any given year, have bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood. However, some people have their first symptoms during childhood, and some develop them late in life. It is often not recognized as an illness, and people may suffer for years before it is properly diagnosed and treated. Like diabetes or heart disease, bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that must be carefully managed throughout a person’s life.
Not only is it important for others to understand this disorder but it may also help others have the chance to say “I have those symptoms.” “I think that is me.” and then say “Maybe I should get help.” “Maybe I should reach out to someone.” Remember that I can always be that person.
Everyone’s experience is different than others when it comes to being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I will go into more detail in a blog post in the future but I will tell you this. When I heard that I was being diagnosed with bipolar disorder I was like “wait what”. Of course it is a shock to hear. It is a shock to hear you have any issue. But after treatment, at my first appointment with my new Psychiatrist, she again said that I was being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Cody was in the first appointment with me, what an amazing husband, and we heard the breakdown of my disease and we looked at each other with a “OMG THIS MAKES SO MUCH SENSE” look. And it did. It was scary to learn something new and learn that you have certain symptoms that you have hidden for years. But you know what the best part was. KNOWING what was wrong and giving me the opportunity to learn about myself, be properly diagnosed and live that productive and enjoyable life. I did not and will never use my bipolar disorder as an excuse for the things that I have done throughout my life and the pain I have caused, but it changes everything when you begin to understand they “why”. I urge everyone to read this post on the symptoms. Not just to understand others that have the disease that are in your life but also for the people that may have bipolar disorder and don’t know, weren’t ever willing to accept the possibility, ones who are confused and scared to reach out for help and also the ones, like myself, that have been improperly diagnosed.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings—from overly “high” and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy, behavior, and attention are characteristics. The periods of highs are called manic episodes and the low periods are called depressive episodes.
A mild to moderate level of mania is called hypomania. Hypomania may feel good to the person who experiences it and may even be associated with good functioning and enhanced productivity. Thus even when family and friends learn to recognize the mood swings as possible bipolar disorder, the person may not recognize that anything is wrong. Without proper treatment, however, hypomania can become severe mania in some people or can be followed by depression.
Severe episodes of mania or depression can include symptoms of psychosis. In periods of psychosis a person may show signs of being out of touch with reality, and may say, hear, see, or believe things that don’t match reality. Hallucinations include hearing, seeing, or otherwise sensing the presence of things not actually there and delusions are false, strongly held beliefs not influenced by logical reasoning or explained by a person’s usual cultural concepts. For example, delusions of grandiosity, such as believing one is the President or has special powers or wealth, may occur during mania; delusions of guilt or worthlessness, such as believing that one is ruined and penniless or has committed some terrible crime, may appear during depression. People with bipolar disorder who have these symptoms are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as having schizophrenia, a different mental illness.
Symptoms of Mania
Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
Excessively “high,” overly good, euphoric mood
Extreme irritability
Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
Distractibility, can’t concentrate well
Little sleep needed
Unrealistic beliefs in one’s abilities and powers
Poor judgment
Spending sprees
A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
Increased sexual drive
Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
Denial that anything is wrong
A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.
Symptoms of Depression
Poor appetite or eating too much
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Nervousness and worry
Loss of interest in and withdrawal from usual activities
Feelings of sadness that don’t go away
Irritability or restlessness
Lack of energy
Feelings of sadness, worthlessness or guilt
Inability to think or concentrate
Repeated thoughts of death or suicide
Chronic pain or other physical problems that don’t respond to treatment
Increased risk-taking behavior, including reckless driving or substance abuse
Go to International Bipolar Foundation for more information regarding Bipolar Disorder.
Remember, you are never alone in this fight! XO, Whit Web 💖