“My bipolar is crazy about me”
Consider this: one morning, your mood soars, and you feel an unprecedented surge of energy. There is enough energy to do everything: start a new project, start a relationship, travel, make money easily, and spend money easily. I want to take risks, fall in love, and change the world.
And then everything comes to an abrupt halt. I can’t even brush my teeth right now. Unfulfilled promises crush and bring guilt; negative thoughts eat from the inside. Until one day…
This is life with Bipolar Disorder.
Mania To Depression, And Back Again
It is difficult to diagnose Bipolar Disorder. Even seasoned professionals frequently confuse it with other disorders and personality characteristics. Nonetheless, it is critical to understand the primary symptoms; if you have identified the majority of them, you should consult a psychotherapist.
When alternating episodes of mania and depression occur, Bipolar Disorder is diagnosed. It is important that external events do not cause an episode; it begins, as it were, “by itself”.
Symptoms Of A Depression Episode
A Bipolar Disorder depressive episode appears to be a classic episode of depression. It can be different for everyone: one person may become depressed, whereas another may become apathetic to the point of not being able to get out of bed. The following are the main symptoms that can be used to diagnose a depressive episode:
loss of interest in something that was once very fascinating;
Cognitive difficulties: it is impossible to focus; even simple tasks are difficult; the thought process “slows down.”
Sleep and hunger problems can range from not being able to sleep to sleeping all day, and from not having an appetite to eating too much.
- Suicidal ideas;
- Apathy;
- Feelings of guilt for no reason
The Symptoms Of A Manic Episode
Mania appears to be someone who lives at the edge of his abilities.
- high-energy tone;
- excitement;
- rapid-fire speech, inconsistency, and “jumping” thoughts about willingness to take risks;
- reduced need for sleep (excess energy can cause a person to wake up in the middle of the night if they get enough sleep quickly);
- all senses are being exaggerated.
Individuals with bipolar disorder experience varying lengths of depressive and manic episodes. Two cycles per year is the most common frequency. A person can, however, experience four or more cycles; this is referred to as “rapid cycling” (or “fast cycles”). Do not confuse rapid cycling with ordinary mood swings: cycles are still subject to a unique internal scheme, but they are more intense and unrelated to outside events. The mood can be lifted, but changing the cycle is impossible on your own.
Suicide is a high risk. In a manic episode, the attempt may be impulsive; in a depressive episode, it may be motivated by apathy toward life, a lack of energy, money, and social connections.
Decoding Mental Health Disorders: A Comprehensive Guide
“Why me?”
Scientists are unable to identify the clear causes of bipolar affective disorder. A combination of genetic, psychological, and social factors is most often to blame.
According to studies, having a close relative with depression or bipolar disorder increases the risk of developing bipolar disorder by 5–10%. This means that the disorder could be inherited, but a genetic predisposition is not a sentence.
People who have a negative cognitive style (a way of perceiving and analyzing the world) and poor coping skills are more likely to become ill. Some people have a psychological proclivity to develop it.
The environment plays a huge role in the development of almost any mental disorder: the family in which a person was raised; the people with whom he communicates; and what he does. Chronic stress, a lack of sleep, and physical activity can all trigger the disorder. That is why it is critical to monitor your lifestyle, especially if you have a family history of mental illness.
Why Is Bipolar Disorder Difficult To Detect?
Up to 7% of the global population suffers from bipolar affective disorder. However, it appears to be more prevalent. This is because people frequently “diagnose” it based on their own frequent mood swings. In fact, the disorder can appear in a variety of ways. As a result, Bipolar Disorder is frequently confused with other disorders or personality characteristics.
Types I And II Of Bipolar Affective Disorder And Cyclothymia
Bipolar affective disorder comes in two varieties. The severity of the manic episode, the duration of the episodes, the leading emotions, and the presence of a genetic predisposition to the disorder are all different.
Both episodes, as well as their changes, are clearly visible in Bipolar Disorder Type I. They are so intense that they can induce psychosis. It is extremely difficult to persuade someone in this state to see a therapist. Mania may appear to him as a “superpower,” bestowing omnipotence on him and assigning him a “special mission.”
Manic episodes in type II bipolar disorder are milder. They are called hypomanic because they do not meet all of the criteria for mania. In this state, a person is more active than usual but not to the point of making drastic changes in one’s life, losing money, or developing psychosis.
We can talk about cyclothymias when the cycles are not pronounced but the person has stable, noticeable mood swings. Cyclothymia is similar to bipolar disorder, except that there are insufficient criteria in a person’s behavior and well-being to diagnose manic, hypomanic, or depressive episodes. It frequently progresses to bipolar affective disorder, so catching it early is crucial.
Depression And Bipolar Disorder
Type II bipolar disorder is frequently confused with depression due to its mild hypomanic episodes. The client comes to therapy with this request: he has depressive episodes “to the fullest” and wants to deal with them.
In order to make this diagnosis, an experienced therapist must ensure that the course of depression is consistent. Although depressive episodes can be cyclical, they alternate with a normal state devoid of a surge of energy and intense emotions. Furthermore, depressive episodes do not follow an internal pattern; that is, they do not occur at regular intervals.
Bipolar Disorder And Substance Abuse
Before diagnosing bipolar affective disorder, make sure the patient does not have an alcohol or drug addiction. They can both cause agitation and “depression” during withdrawal.
When an addiction is combined with bipolar disorder, the cycle becomes more frequent and intense. In this case, psychotherapy begins with the treatment of addiction.
Bipolar Disorder And Schizophrenia
As previously stated, people with Bipolar Disorder type I can develop psychotic symptoms, such as seeing hallucinations, hearing voices, and believing in strange, unreal things. Bipolar Disorder was previously known as “manic-depressive psychosis,” according to the ICD (International Classification of Diseases).
As a result, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are often confused. This is risky because the treatments for the two diagnoses are so dissimilar.
Bipolar Disorder And Narcissistic Personality Disorder
People with narcissistic personality disorder may experience manic-depressive episodes similar to those seen in bipolar disorder. The distinction is that there is no objective external cause in bipolar disorder; all processes are determined biochemically. There will be an event that triggers a narcissistic disorder, even if the client is unaware of it.
Bipolar Disorder And Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder is characterized by difficulty controlling emotions, unstable behavior, particularly in relationships (he can idealize and then devalue a partner), and a fear of being alone. Borderline personality disorder is frequently associated with bipolar disorder, which further complicates the diagnosis.
Because of the frequent mood swings, bipolar disorder can coexist with Borderline personality disorder. The distinction is that mood swings in Borderline personality disorder are a reaction to stress, particularly in relationships. Mood swings in Borderline personality disorder are a response to stress, particularly in relationships. As previously stated, Bipolar Disorder is cyclical and only obeys internal laws.
Even seasoned therapists have doubts and make errors. And diagnosing Bipolar Disorder on your own is nearly impossible: you must understand how the human psyche works, pay attention to every detail of your own behavior, and examine yourself objectively.
Diagnosis And Therapy
So, how can we avoid overdiagnosis while also not missing the disorder if it exists? You should see a therapist who is familiar with bipolar disorder.
Signs that you are in capable hands include:
The therapist asks you to keep a mood diary, which you discuss in the sessions.
The treatment regimen is chosen gradually rather than immediately. It is impossible to pass an analysis for a mental disorder; thus, the therapist can correct the course of work during the process.
The therapist is under observation. Psychiatrists are not supervised; this item only applies to verbal psychotherapy.
Most people with bipolar affective disorder receive both medication and talk therapy.
In other words, a psychiatrist who prescribes medications and a psychotherapist work together with the client.The cause of cyclical mood is biochemical, which means that you must balance the work of neurotransmitters to correct it. Pharmacotherapy is used for this purpose.
The therapist deals with the client’s behavior and reactions. The therapist employs cognitive-behavioral therapy to teach the client proper behavior during episodes. It is critical to discuss the disorder with the client and educate him so that he can independently anticipate the next episode and recognize when something is out of control.
Because Bipolar Disorder is a long-term condition, it needs long-term treatment and monitoring to keep it from getting worse.However, many people manage to keep it under control, realize who they are, and socialize. The important thing is to contact a specialist as soon as possible.
A lot of famous people, like singer Mariah Carey, actress Carrie Fisher, and rapper Oksim Iron, have said that they have Bipolar Disorder.It’s okay to talk about it. This helps to reduce the stigma associated with mental illnesses. However, we do not support self-diagnosis because it distorts the concept of a true disorder.
We recommend reading Kay Jameson – An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness.
