Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that affects your moods, which can swing from 1 extreme to another. It used to be known as manic depression.

 

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

People with bipolar disorder have episodes of:

• depression – feeling very low and lethargic

• mania – feeling very high and overactive

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Unlike simple mood swings, each extreme episode of bipolar disorder can last for several weeks (or even longer).

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Depression

You may initially be diagnosed with clinical depression before you have a manic episode, after which you may be diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

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During an episode of depression, you may have overwhelming feelings of worthlessness, which can potentially lead to thoughts of suicide.

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Mania

During a manic phase of bipolar disorder, you may:

• feel very happy

• have lots of energy, ambitious plans and ideas

• spend large amounts of money on things you cannot afford and would not normally want

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It's also common to:

• not feel like eating or sleeping

• talk quickly

• become annoyed easily

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You may feel very creative and view the manic phase of bipolar as a positive experience.

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But you may also experience symptoms of psychosis, where you see or hear things that are not there or become convinced of things that are not true.

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Treatments for bipolar disorder

The high and low phases of bipolar disorder are often so extreme that they interfere with everyday life.

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But there are several options for treating bipolar disorder that can make a difference.

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They aim to control the effects of an episode and help someone with bipolar disorder live life as normally as possible.

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The following treatment options are available:

• medicine to prevent episodes of mania and depression – these are known as mood stabilisers, and you take them every day on a long-term basis

• medicine to treat the main symptoms of depression and mania when they happen

• learning to recognise the triggers and signs of an episode of depression or mania

• psychological treatment – such as talking therapy, which can help you deal with depression, and provides advice about how to improve your relationships

• lifestyle advice – such as doing regular exercise, planning activities you enjoy that give you a sense of achievement, as well as advice on improving your diet and getting more sleep

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It's thought using a combination of different treatment methods is the best way to control bipolar disorder.

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Help and advice for people with a long-term condition or their carers is also available from charities, support groups and associations.

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This includes self-help and learning to deal with the practical aspects of a long-term condition.

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What causes bipolar disorder?

The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, although it's believed a number of things can trigger an episode.

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These include:

• extreme stress

• overwhelming problems

• life-changing events

• genetic and chemical factors

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Who's affected

Bipolar disorder is fairly common, and around 1 in every 100 people will be diagnosed with it at some point in their life.

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Bipolar disorder can occur at any age, although it often develops between the ages of 15 and 19.

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Men and women from all backgrounds are equally likely to develop bipolar disorder.

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The pattern of mood swings in bipolar disorder varies widely.

For example, some people only have a couple of bipolar episodes in their lifetime and are stable in between, while others have many episodes.

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Credit: NHS