Am I Bipolar?

Am I Bipolar? High Highs and Low Lows

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I bipolar?”

It may be due to things you’ve experienced yourself or because of something other people have observed about you.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Bipolar disorder (BPD), or manic depression, is a severe mental health condition characterized by extreme changes in mood, including periods of emotional highs and lows.

Am I Bipolar? The Signs and Symptoms

The general symptoms of Bipolar Disorder include periods of extreme emotion, and during that time, there may be changes in behavior, sleeping, and overall activity.

Some mood episodes may last for several days or weeks, while other times, these episodes can be shorter.

• During a manic episode, you might experience:
• Feeling elated or even high
• Feeling jumpy
• Decreased need for sleep
• Loss of appetite
• Talking very fast
• Talking about different things all at once
• Racing thoughts
• Mood Swings
• Risky behaviors
• Poor judgment
• Feeling especially powerful, talented, or important

During a depressive episode, side effects can include:

• Feeling worried, sad, hopeless, or generally down
• Restlessness
• A sense of slowness
• Problems falling asleep
• Sleeping too much
• Weight gain
• Increased appetite
• Talking slowly
• Forgetfulness
• Difficulties making decisions or concentrating
• Not able to do simple daily tasks
• Lack of interest
• Decreased sex drive
• Inability to feel pleasure
• Feeling worthless
• Thoughts of suicide or death

An Overview of Bipolar Disorder

The disorder is relatively common, with more than five million people estimated to be living in the U.S. with some form of bipolar disorder.

While scientists and researchers can’t pinpoint one factor that determines whether or not someone will have this disorder, they do believe some factors may play a role, including:

• The brain’s structure and how the brain functions: Some studies show that the brains of people with bipolar have differences compared to the brains of people who don’t have it. For example, there may be differences in bipolar neuron function, unipolar neurons, sensory neurons, or other areas of functionality in the brain.

• Genetics: There are specific genetic components that could increase someone’s risk of having bipolar disorder, and having a close family member such as a parent or sibling with bipolar may increase someone’s likelihood as well.

• Environment: Trauma or significant life changes can trigger bipolar. For example, the loss of someone you care about can induce a depressive or manic episode. Drug abuse is also thought to increase the likelihood of bipolar. Around 60% of people with bipolar disorder are dependent on alcohol or drugs.

Triggers

With this type of mood disorder, there are specific triggers that you feel could worsen the symptoms for you.

Triggers can cause mania or depression to appear for the first time or make existing symptoms worse.

There doesn’t have to be a trigger for a manic episode, but it is a common occurrence.

Some of the triggers include:

• Stressful life events, whether good or bad
• Substance abuse can worsen symptoms of bipolar or trigger an episode
• Medications such as antidepressants can trigger mania, as can over-the-counter cold medicine and corticosteroids
• Changes in seasons
• Sleep deprivation

Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

Options for treating mania primarily depend on how severe the symptoms are and how they affect functionality in day-to-day life.

Treatments include medications and counseling for symptom control, such as mood stabilizers.

Therapy might also integrate lifestyle changes and support groups.

Medications for Bipolar Disorders

One of the most commonly used types of medication for bipolar disorder is mood stabilizers.

Mood stabilizers include lithium, valproic acid, and divalproex sodium.

These can help control manic or hypomanic periods.

Along with mood stabilizers, antipsychotics are another class of drug that may treat symptoms of bipolar disorder if other medicines didn’t work.

Doctors might use a mood stabilizer along with an antipsychotic too.

Antidepressants can trigger mania but may be used to help with depression in bipolar disorder, mainly when they’re prescribed with an antipsychotic or mood stabilizer.

It can take time to find the right medicine or combination of medications – a doctor will usually only make one change at a time until they get it right.

Psychotherapy

Along with mood stabilizers and other medicines, long-term psychotherapy can be a critical part of treating bipolar disorder.

There are different types of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

In CBT, you identify your negative beliefs and behaviors and then replace them with something positive.

During CBT, you might learn what triggers your bipolar and learn strategies to manage stress and cope.

Final Thoughts

The best step you can take to determine “am I bipolar?” is to talk to your doctor.

There are many great ways to manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder if that’s your ultimate diagnosis.

If you are looking for a doctor to talk to our team, the Mental Health Centers of San Diego has access to all of the professionals you need to get a diagnosis and treatment of any mental disorders, including bipolar.