People with bipolar disorder will experience severe changes in behavior, thinking, energy, and mood. A state is more than just a good or bad mood;
Bipolar disorder or manic-depressive mood disorder is a mental health problem that requires medical attention. It can lead to severe mood swings, lack of sleep, low energy, inability to think rationally, and even changes in behavior. Sometimes a person may feel happy and energetic for a few days and other times he/she may feel depressed, sad, down, lethargic and irritable for a few days/months.
Types, signs and symptoms:
Bipolar I Disorder: This includes episodes of mania and depression. Symptoms of mania include overspending, excessive talking, increased energy, grandiose thinking, decreased need for sleep, and jumping from one thought to another.
Bipolar II disorder: You will have major depressive episodes and at least one hypomanic episode (periods of mild manic episodes including euphoria, euphoria, or irritable mood).
Cyclothymic disorder or cyclothymia: A mild form of bipolar disorder where episodes of hypomania and mild depression may persist for at least two years.
Other common red flags of mania in a bipolar patient include restlessness, poor judgment, impulsivity, loss of appetite, being easily distracted, high sex drive, engaging in reckless behavior, and making unrealistic plans. During a depressive episode, a person may be forgetful, sad, talk slowly, have a low sex drive, lose interest in activities he/she used to enjoy, have trouble sleeping and concentrating, and lack energy. Bipolar and related problems are also associated with conditions such as alcohol consumption, drug abuse, and stroke.
Treatment:
A person with bipolar disorder will be prescribed medication based on their symptoms:
- Mood Stabilizers: These will help you boost your mood. Take only after consulting your doctor.
- Antidepressants during a depressive phase: These can also help stabilize mood and make you feel relaxed. Anti-anxiety medications or sleep medications that can help you calm down and sleep soundly.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Can help you manage stress and other negative triggers.
- For better mental health you need to follow certain lifestyle changes such as exercising daily, eating a well-balanced diet, managing stress through meditation, eating and sleeping on time and avoiding alcohol and drug abuse.
- Being aware of your condition, knowing the symptoms of different stages helps in early treatment and prevention of complications. Adherence to the medication protocol usually helps achieve a stable mood for a longer period of time. In most cases the medication is not lifelong.
Can Bipolar Disorder Cause Pregnancy Complications?
A large number of women with bipolar disorder have healthy pregnancies. But some of the drugs used to manage this disorder can have some effect on the baby in few cases. Women with bipolar should talk to a mental health specialist before becoming pregnant. Learn about the medications you are taking and talk to your doctor about their side effects. Inform your doctor in advance of planning to conceive so that medications can be adjusted. If one parent has bipolar disorder, their child has a 10 percent chance of developing the illness, but one should remember that the lifetime prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorder is about 3 percent.
(With inputs from Dr. Sonal Anand, Psychiatrist, Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road)
