The post is developed in partnership with BetterHelp.
There are many mental health conditions that you may have heard about on the news or through your social circle, including bipolar disorder, which is sometimes known as bipolar depression. This disorder is quite serious and needs care, in most cases. Here are some additional facts you might want to know about this illness.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
When a person experiences this condition, they will have periods of time where they become down or sad and others where they feel happy or manic. As you can imagine, this can cause a whirlwind of emotions and behavior. Keep in mind that the periods of sadness and mania will be unlikely to be equal, meaning an individual may feel sad more often or up more often.
The condition is not likely to clear up on its own, and it can require years of mental health care, to see a change in symptoms. However, it is treatable.
For further details on bipolar disorder, refer to BetterHelp. There are articles and advice to increase your understanding.
Causes
There is not a specific cause that can be pointed to when it comes to bipolar disorder, but it may be more likely to occur in individuals that share genes with others that have it.
Furthermore, there is some evidence that there are differences in the brain structures of people that experience bipolar from others that don’t.
Symptoms
This illness can cause many symptoms, which will vary greatly from one person to the next.
Symptoms Associated with Depression
- Having no energy
- Sleeping too many hours a day
- Weight gain
- Pains throughout the body
- Inability to concentrate
- Expressing no interest in activities
- Unable to keep thoughts straight
Symptoms Associated with Mania
- Not eating meals
- Not sleeping for days
- Exhibiting risky behaviors
- Making snap decisions
- Trying to accomplish many tasks at the same time
- Being unable to slow down thoughts
If you or someone you know is experiencing many of these symptoms, it may be time to reach out for professional help.
Treatments
There are different treatment options available, which may help alleviate symptoms related to this condition. One type of treatment is therapy. A psychiatrist should be able to work with a person that has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder to determine how it affects them and their daily lives.
Once the most severe symptoms are discussed, they will likely be able to talk about options, in terms of how to treat them in the best manner. For some people, this may include psychotherapy and medications, and in the most serious cases, it could require hospitalization.
If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, it is necessary to get support as soon as you have an inkling that something may be amiss. This can provide you with the best chance for seeing a reduction in your symptoms and how they affect you.
They might also talk to you about doing your best to improve your overall wellness. This involves watching what you eat, getting enough rest at night, and working out 5 times a week.
Outlook
Bipolar disorder is a condition that generally lasts for many years. Depending on how severe the symptoms related to it are, a person may see a reduction in certain symptoms and be able to keep up with their routine.
In other cases, they might see a disruption in their lives from time to time, where they may feel like themselves, and suddenly start to feel depressed or manic.
Conclusion
Bipolar disorder is a condition that may take years to treat, and there are many ways that a person may be treated, based on their symptoms. This is why it is important to seek therapy if you need it, as soon as you can. Doing so could give you the best chance at feeling like yourself again.