What is Bipolar Disorder?

Types of bipolar disorder, according to NIMH, are:

• Bipolar I: Manic episodes lasting seven days or needing hospitalization. Depression lasts at least two weeks.
• Bipolar II: Episodes of depression and hypomania; mania does not reach level mania seen in bipolar I.
• Cyclothymic Disorder: Numerous hypomania and depressive episodes over a period of two years for adults, one year for children.
• Unspecified bipolar: Symptoms that do not match previous three categories.

During a depressive episode, people feel sad or hopeless, they have little energy and may either sleep too much or have difficulty falling asleep. They find it difficult to concentrate and may think about death and suicide, according to NIMH. Depressive episodes can last anywhere from a few hours to several months.

A manic episode has sometimes been described as a feeling of elation or excitement. People in manic states have trouble sleeping and are very active. They might become extremely talkative and feel like their thoughts are racing. They may become agitated or irritable or may engage in risky behaviors, such as spending a lot of money, driving fast or reckless sex, according to NIMH.

A mixed episode is a combination of a depressive episode and mania. It might appear as a torrent of negative thoughts or it could be rapid cycling, from one mood to the next very quickly. This type of bipolar is difficult to treat, and suicide is more prevalent, according to a report published in the Chonnam Medical Journal.

Approximately 2.6 percent of adults in the United States are diagnosed with bipolar disease. About 83 percent of those are considered severe according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI.) Men and women are affected equally. Children and teens can have bipolar disorder, but the average age of onset is 25 years old.

The exact cause of bipolar disorder is not yet understood. Scientists believe that several factors contribute to it, according to NAMI. These are:

• Genetics.
• Stress.
• Brain structure and function.

There are two main forms of medical treatment for bipolar disorder, according to NIMH:

• Psychotherapy – talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Medications – mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants.

There are a number of ways you can manage bipolar disorder. The first is to learn about bipolar disorder and understand what to expect. Other behavioral strategies include:

• Keeping a mood journal.
• Healthy eating.
• Keeping a daily routine.

Between 30 and 50 percent of people with bipolar disorder also have a substance abuse disorder (SUD) according to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA.) People with bipolar who also have SUD are less likely to adhere and respond to treatment and more likely to be hospitalized or attempt suicide.

Between 25 and 50 percent of people with bipolar attempt suicide at least once, according to Suicide.org. Those who have mixed episodes or have co-occurring SUD are at a high risk for suicide.

People with bipolar disorder often have coexisting illnesses such as anxiety or substance abuse. But they are also at a higher risk for a number of physical illnesses such as thyroid disease, migraines, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, according to NIMH. Medications for bipolar can cause hunger and weight gain so it is important to stick to a healthy diet as much as possible.