What Is Bipolar Disorder? | Types, Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition that can be difficult to live with, especially without treatment. However, those who learn to manage their bipolar disorder can live successful and even remarkable lives marked by enthusiasm, extroversion, and optimism.

If you or a loved one are experiencing warning signs for bipolar disorder, or any other mental condition or mental illness, please reach out to a healthcare provider and seek mental health treatment and guidance as soon as possible.

Types Of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic depression or manic depressive disorder, is a chronic mood disorder known for producing dramatic shifts in a person’s outlook, activity level, and overall behavior. 

These shifts can last for unpredictable periods of time ranging from hours to several months, and they will likely interfere with a person’s day-to-day functioning and personal wellness.

Bipolar disorder subtypes include:

• bipolar I disorder, which is characterized by mania (high levels of energy)
• bipolar II disorder, which is characterized by a milder form of mania (hypomania)
• schizoaffective disorder type, characterized by a combination of schizophrenia and bipolar symptoms

Those who experience bipolar disorder also commonly develop other behavioral and mental health conditions, with some of the most common comorbidities including anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. 

In fact, more than half those who experience bipolar disorders also experience anxiety and/or self-medicate through substance abuse.

Causes Of Bipolar Disorder

There is no single known cause of bipolar disorder, with researchers suspecting that a combination of different factors increase a person’s chance of developing the condition.

Some of the suspected causes and risk factors for bipolar disorder include:

• experiencing childhood trauma through neglect, physical or mental abuse, loss, etc.
• experiencing a prolonged or intense period of personal stress
• factors related to a person’s brain structure or brain chemistry
• genetic factors, evidenced through a family history of bipolar symptoms and other mental health struggles
• effects related to the use or abuse of certain medications, illicit drugs, and alcohol

Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is diagnosed using characteristic symptoms which, unfortunately, can sometimes be mistaken for those of other disorders such as cyclothymia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and certain personality disorders.

While diagnosis can help identify and categorize bipolar disorder, episodes of mania and episodes of depression can vary greatly from person to person in length, intensity, and symptoms. Additionally, these patterns may change throughout a person’s life.

Manic Or Hypomanic Episodes

Manic episodes and hypomanic episodes, as used to diagnose bipolar I and bipolar II disorder respectively, may involve:

• lasting periods of excessive energy and motivation
• inflated self-image
• greatly decreased need for sleep
• excessive talking
• racing thoughts
• unpredictable mood changes
• distractibility
• either productive or agitated activity or movements
• reckless activity

In some cases of the first type, especially those involving psychosis, bipolar disorder symptoms may be extreme enough to require hospitalization to ensure the safety of a person and those around them.

Depressive Episodes

A major depressive episode will often follow manic or hypomanic episodes, producing classic symptoms of depression such as:

• depressed mood and feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
• fatigue and lack of energy
• lack of interest in activities or relationships
• difficulty experiencing pleasure from normal sources
• unusual weight loss or weight gain
• getting too much or too little sleep
• low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness
• thinking and concentration problems
• thoughts of death or suicidal impulses

Psychotic Symptoms

In some cases of bipolar I disorder, a person may experience manic symptoms that include a break from reality known as psychosis:

• delusions, beliefs that have no basis in reality
• hallucinations, experiencing sights or sounds that only exist in the mind
• confused or disturbed thinking, often involving paranoia

Treating Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a treatable condition, with personalized treatment plans typically featuring a combination of long-term medication programs, psychotherapy, and treatment for any co-occurring mental or behavioral disorders.

Medications

Medications commonly prescribed for bipolar disorder include:

• mood stabilizers like lithium, valproic acid, and others
• antipsychotic medications like olanzapine, risperidone, and others
• antidepressant medications like citalopram, bupropion, and others
• benzodiazepines or other anti-anxiety sleeping medications (short-term use only)

Unfortunately, these medications may also cause side effects, and it can take time and patience to find the right combination of drugs to suit each patient’s long-term needs.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy and counseling are considered to be vital parts of bipolar treatment and can be provided in either individual or group settings. Common forms of for bipolar disorder include:

• cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is used to help an individual identify and change ingrained, harmful patterns of thought and behavior
• family therapy, which brings together loved ones to build effective support and communication patterns
• interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT), which focuses on stabilizing one’s daily routine and activity patterns

Other Treatments

Along with therapy and medications, other treatment options used for bipolar disorder can include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), participation in support groups, and other supportive accommodations.

Dual Diagnosis Care

If you or a loved one have experienced a substance use disorder and co-occurring bipolar disorder, we can help. With multiple inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities, Ark Behavioral Health provides expert dual-diagnosis treatment services to help you build a lasting recovery.