Bipolar disorder describes a category of disorders that all involve abnormal mood swings. Bi polar refers to the two 'poles' of mood: a high, elevated mood (mania or, if milder, hypomania) and a low depressed mood. Its most severe form used to be called 'manic depression' for this reason. Today, it's recognised that there are many types of bipolar conditions, with different balances between the two extremes.
The pattern of these mood swings is different from individual to individual. Some may have an episode of mania only once a decade, while others may have mood swings from day to day. Some bipolar people have more 'high' episodes than 'low' episodes, but most have the opposite experience and face recurring bouts of depression.
Around 2% of the population is affected by bipolar disorder or bipolar depression.
Symptoms
of bipolar disorder / bi-polar depression
The highs
People having an episode of mania or hypomania can:
- feel happy and energetic
- be filled with creative ideas
- think or speak quickly, jumping from one idea to another
- impulsively spend or travel
- need little sleep
- feel invincible, and start on grand schemes
- feel they're having a 'mystical' experience
- have trouble concentrating and be easily distracted
- be irritated by anyone not supporting their ideas or actions
- abuse alcohol and drugs, particularly cocaine and sleeping medications
- act aggressively to provoke or intrude on other people
The most extreme expressions of mania can also involve delusions and hallucinations.
The lows
The depressive phase can be mild or severe. Sufferers can experience some or all of these symptoms:
- feeling sad, anxious or angry for a long time
- hating themselves
- having a lack of feeling about anything
- withdrawing from social activities
- changes in normal patterns of sleeping or eating
- loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities, including sex
- chronic pain, with or without a known cause
- suicidal thoughts
>> See our bipolar disorder self-assessment guide
Frequency and duration
of mood swings
Aside from the high and low moods themselves, the key to diagnosing bi polar disorder is noticing how frequently and severely these moodswings reoccur, and, when they do, how long each episode lasts.
Only some sufferers swing directly from mania to depression and back again. Most have long periods of normal moods when they feel symptom-free. On average, the gap between episodes ranges from 18 months to three years.
Episodes of mania or hypomania can last a few hours, a few days or a few weeks. The depressive phase is generally longer, and can run for months.
Types
of bipolarBipolar Type I Disorder is the more severe of the two. Individuals typically experience mania with longer 'highs', may have psychotic episodes and are more likely to be hospitalised for safety.
Bipolar Type II Disorder is milder. Individuals experience only hypomania rather than full-blown mania, with no psychotic episodes. They have also had at least one major depressive episode.
Causes
of bipolar
We don't yet know exactly what causes bipolar disorder. There's no single cause – instead, many biological and environmental factors appear to act together to trigger its onset. Because it frequently runs in families, there does seem to be genetic basis – however, just because one family member has the illness, it is not necessarily the case that other family members will develop it.
Its onset is often triggered by a stressful life event. Many individuals often have their first symptoms in late adolescence, but, due to the episodic nature of the illness, aren't diagnosed until much later in life.
Key things to remember
- Bi polar disorder is an illness involving abnormal mood swings, usually
with alternating periods of depression and mania or hypomania
-
The pattern of mood swings varies from individual to individual
-
'High' episodes can range from mild feelings of increased energy to severe psychosis requiring hospitalisation
-
'Low' episodes are generally more frequent and longer lasting than high episodes
-
For people under the age of forty, some symptoms of bipolar disorder
may include sleeping a lot more than usual, and feeling agitated,
restless or incredibly frustrated
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