Do you often find yourself embroiled in trouble because of a hasty decision – going on a shopping spree, quitting a job, or engaging in risky behaviors – only to regret your action later? Do mood swings or shifting feelings – from low to frenzied or ecstatic – seem to dictate your actions? Do these ever-changing peaks and valleys of emotions significantly impact various aspects of your life – work/career or education, relationships and health?

While occasional mood swings do not necessarily mean trouble, they may be an indication of a bipolar disorder.  It might be a wise decision to allow a professional to intervene if you think you are experiencing this kind of difficulty. The condition can seriously affect your life overall, and the people around you. Remember that treatment can improve your circumstances and ignoring these issues can result in the symptoms getting worse, in ways you may have not considered.

The first step to lessen the gripping symptoms of bipolar disorder or other emotional conditions is to understand it.  The right kind of knowledge can guide you in making the right decisions and choosing the appropriate actions. What you may need to know about bipolar and other related emotional disorders?

Basic Facts About Bipolar Disorder

 According to Psychology Today, “Bipolar disorders, also known as manic-depressive illness, are a group of brain disorders that cause unusual shifts in mood, energy, and ability to function.” Unlike normal shifting of moods that are fleeting, the symptoms of bipolar disorder can last for weeks or months, which may seem like “eternity,” making it more incapacitating. The symptoms are also incredibly intense compared to usual mood shifts.

Bipolar disorder has several types. Each is characterized by the extent of its manic and depressed phases. The most prevalent types are Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Bipolar I can be described as a manic episode that may last for a week, with or without depressive symptoms. Bipolar II has hypomanic or milder symptoms during an episode, with symptoms of depression. During the manic phase, the affected person can experience elevated energy level, heightened creativity, and bursting euphoria. During the depressed phase, the same individual experiences the opposite – low energy level and excessive sadness, hopelessness, and helplessness.

Like most mood or emotional conditions, the causes of bipolar disorder are not fully clear, but there is evidence that it could be linked to genetics. If it “runs in the family,” members could be predisposed, but not necessarily develop the condition. This is because other factors may contribute to its development, such as life events, environmental factors, and brain structure or possibly injuries.  It is not known if it can be totally avoided or prevented, but its symptoms can be improved and resolved, enabling the affected person to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling life.

Are You Exhibiting Symptoms?

“These are four types of mood episodes in bipolar disorder: mania, hypomania, depression, and mixed episodes.” Each of these is characterized by distinct symptoms. They can be manifested differently in different people, in terms of intensity, pattern, and frequency of the symptoms during given episodes. Some people may be more predisposed to depression and there are others who may show manic symptoms more often. There are also people who alternately exhibit both phases, and there are those who go through recurrent mood disruptions, while others may only experience a few episodes over a lifetime.

Mania – During this episode, the affected person feels overenergized, so they might rant or become very talkative, sleep less and remain active, be creative and may feel overzealous at times. It can seem like a welcome thing at first, but it can also rapidly spiral downward. This is also the time when the person could be more vulnerable to making hasty decisions – gambling, abusing a substance, making unwise investments, shopping sprees, etc.

According to Help Guide, some signs and symptoms of the manic phase of bipolar are:

• Feeling unusually “high” and optimistic OR extremely irritable
• Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers
• Sleeping very little, but feeling extremely energetic
• Talking so rapidly that others can’t keep up
• Racing thoughts; jumping quickly from one idea to the next
• Highly distractible, unable to concentrate
• Impaired judgment and impulsiveness
• Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences
• Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases)

Depression – The depressed phase of bipolar disorder has symptoms that aren’t the same as the symptoms of clinical or major depression. Studies show that people with bipolar depression are more likely to feel guilt, irritability, restlessness, and unpredictable mood shifts. They may have the tendency to speak and move sluggishly, sleep more, and experience weight increases. They can also be more prone to other types of depression. The use of antidepressants may not work in the same way as they do to another depressed person.

Some of the common symptoms of bipolar depression are:

• Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty
• Irritability
• Inability to experience pleasure
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Physical and sluggish thought process
• Appetite or weight changes
• Sleep problems
• Concentration and memory problems
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Hypomania – This is a less severe type. Though the affected may also feel energetic and euphoric, they are more in touch with reality and can perform their everyday chores or tasks. While it is a different version of mania, it too brings the risk of missing the telltale, disruptive signs of bipolar or a related disorder, so that it may be left untreated for a long time.

Mixed Episode – This is the type that is characterized by both manic and depressed symptoms. People with this type of bipolar disorder often experience nervousness, insomnia, poor focus, irritability, anxiety, and racing thoughts. This is the combination that can result in extremely serious concerns, such as harming oneself.

Related Conditions to Be Aware

 About 2.6 percent of the US population “in any given year have bipolar disorder.” They can be chronic, requiring a lifetime of treatment. In many of the cases, episodes may be recurrent and experienced in the future. The outlook can worsen without professional help and treatment.  Treatment is immensely important, considering the lifetime risk of further complications, which can include self-harm and suicide, which are “at least 15 times that of the general population,” says Psychology Today.

Bipolar disorder can worsen when it is complicated by other emotional conditions, which may include “anxiety disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and substance abuse.”  Also, be aware of other medical conditions and medications that may mask the symptoms of bipolar disorder or complicate it. Seeking professional help can significantly minimize the diagnostic issues. Therapy can help in the treatment of the other concerns to improve the symptoms of bipolar disorder. 

Alleviating the Symptoms with Therapy

The manic and depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder can excessively weigh you down. These can drive you to engaging in risky behaviors to mask painful feelings and divert your attention, further complicating your troubles. There is a wise and informed option – seek therapy from a trained professional.

Let a counselor contracted with Carolina Counseling Services in Cameron, NC – on Hwy 87, near Linden Oaks, help you understand and improve how these powerful and pervasive feelings are affecting you. By calling CCS in Cameron, NC – on Hwy 87, near Linden Oaks, an independently contracted therapist can help you channel your manic energy into healthier, more productive pursuits. Call today to make an appointment!