Hello, lovely people reading this, welcome back to my blog. I am so excited to have you here. Today I am going to be talking about a widely discussed topic Bipolar disorder. Now, this is a very technical and dicey topic but I’m going to try my best to explain it in simple terms. Stick and stay with me as we dive into the topic. (Ok this sounds very you tuby, but moving on…)
Bipolar disorder, in the past, was called Manic Depression because it was and is characterized by episodes of mania which are extremely high or elevated moods and very low moods (Depression).
When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities. When your mood shifts to mania you may feel euphoric, full of energy, or unusually irritable. These mood swings can affect sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behavior, and the ability to think clearly.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Apart from the two extreme mood disorders, i.e. mania and depression, there are seven other symptoms or signs one can use to suggest that a person may be Bipolar. These signs can be classified under the manic phase and depression phase.
Disruption of Sleep Patterns
Often, manic episodes are characterized by a shift in an individual’s sleep routine. Some people may get as little as 3-5 hours of sleep due to overly elevated energy levels. This disruption of sleep can lead to other health issues over time.
Restlessness and agitation
Restlessness or the feeling of being agitated is another symptom of bipolar disorder, which is associated with the manic phase. It normally involves the inability to sit still, tapping fingers, being easily irritable, or abruptly starting or stopping tasks. For many people diagnosed with bipolar disorder, this agitation will feel like an anxious restlessness that is difficult, if not impossible, to control.
Racing thoughts and accelerated speech
Most of the time an individual would ramble on and on about a particular topic or a range of topics. If this happens with high intensity it can be a significant sign of Bipolar disorder. This pace of speech may not afford the listeners the ability to understand what the person is saying or trying to say at the moment.
Overconfidence and Impulsive Acts
Bipolar disorder can lead to exaggerated feelings of confidence in risky situations. People with bi-polar disorder tend to act on their impulses very often. This happens within or during the manic phase. Impulsive acts include; one-night stands, reckless gambling, and impulse buying of very expensive items they cannot afford to have, etc.
Withdrawal from Family, Friends, and Activities
During the depressive phase, many people with bipolar disorder often feel apathy towards activities they once enjoyed, withdraw from a healthy lifestyle, and dissociate themselves from friends and family, shutting themselves off from the outside. They no longer find joy in things they loved. This most of the time hurts the people around them the most. Individuals may not even know they are causing harm to their loved ones.
Preoccupation with death and thoughts of suicide
As a common sign of depression, suicidal thoughts are another sign of bipolar disorder. It becomes highly important to not ignore these signs just because you may have seen the same individual lavishly spending a few weeks ago.
Change in appetite and sleep
Bipolar disorder can result in the disruption or change in a person’s eating patterns. In this case, they would either take to eating a lot or not eating at all.
Even though I have mentioned the loss of interest in sleep due to high energy levels in the manic phase, there could also be increased levels of tiredness or fatigue which would cause the individual to sleep for long hours in the day and night.
Finally,
If a few people come to mind as you read this blog, or if you’re noticing patterns in yourself that you’ve been ignoring, I recommend seeking professional help. It is not shameful to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and it is not the end of the world.
At least one very severe manic episode and at least two weeks of depression are required for a diagnosis of Bipolar disorder.
Medications and cognitive behavioral therapy can help you regulate your moods and realign your thought process so that you are more self-aware.
A positive lifestyle that recognizes the benefits of sleep and the health benefits of exercise, for example, will also make a significant difference. As always, talk to an expert in mental health if you have further concerns about bipolar disorder. With the right help and support, anyone can live a full and satisfying life.
Till we meet again, it’s been Olives Corner
American Psychiatric Association (2013)
Diagnostic and Statiscal Manual Disorders (DSM-5)
Understanding Abnormal Behaviour (9th Edition)
Olives Corner 