A Complete Guide to Bipolar Disorder: Types & Treatments

Mental health diseases known as bipolar disorders are defined as recurrent episodes of high emotional states that have an impact on a person's capability to function, as well as their mood and energy levels. People with bipolar disorder can live happy lives if they receive the proper treatment.

What Indicates Mood Episodes in Psychological Terms?

Mood episodes are periodic episodes of a person's mood and energy lasting days to weeks. They are classified as depressive episodes when there is a significantly sad mood and the capacity to feel joy or pleasure vanishes or as manic episodes when the predominant mood is extremely cheerful or irritated.

Different Types of Bipolar Disorders and Treatments

Bipolar disorder is a group that encompasses three primary diagnoses: cyclothymic disorder, bipolar I disorder, and bipolar II disorder.

1. Bipolar 1 Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a complex condition marked by manic episodes and hypomania or depression. Manic episodes are indicated by increased energy, feeling extremely happy or uncomfortably irritable, and mood swings, often causing significant disruptions in daily life.

Hypomanic episodes, also known as hypomania, are less severe and do not require a week to manifest and are indicated by increased energy and activity, reduced need for sleep, racing thoughts and speech, absence of psychosis, and functional impairment.

A major depressive episode lasts for at least two weeks and is indicated by extreme sadness, disinterest in activities, changes in appetite, excessive guilt, and a feeling of worthlessness.

Bipolar I disorder is diagnosed when a person goes through a manic episode. In addition to having periods of neutral mood, most patients with bipolar I illness also suffer episodes of hypomania or depression.

Severe manic episodes, on the other hand, last for at least two weeks and are characterised by extreme sadness, despair, guilt, weariness, changes in appetite, agitation, inability to concentrate, and frequent suicidal or death-related thoughts.

Treatment:

Medication is the mainstay of treatment for bipolar disorder, with mood stabilisers like lithium and atypical antipsychotics being the most commonly prescribed drugs. These drugs modify the excitability of brain cells and alter the way neurotransmitters signal in the brain.

Preventive treatment is recommended, and patients may need to test various drugs before deciding which one best suits their needs. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a useful therapeutic option when medicine and psychotherapy have not provided the desired results.

ECT involves helping a small electrical current to the patient's scalp multiple times, resulting in a controlled, brief seizure. It is believed that ECT-induced seizures alter the signalling pathways in the brain.

Family members may also benefit from professional resources, such as mental health advocacy and support groups, as bipolar disorder can significantly impair an individual's everyday life and create stressful family situations.

2. Bipolar II Disorder

An individual needs to experience at least one major depressive episode and one hypomanic episode in order to be diagnosed with bipolar II disorder (see above). People with bipolar II frequently resume their regular functioning in between episodes.

Because hypomanic episodes can seem enjoyable and even improve performance at work or school, people with bipolar II illness often seek therapy for their depressive episodes first.

Individuals who suffer from bipolar II disorder sometimes also struggle with other mental health conditions, such as substance use disorder or anxiety disorder, which can worsen symptoms of hypomania or sadness.

Treatment:

Medication and psychotherapy are the same treatments used for bipolar I and II. The drugs that are most frequently utilised are mood stabilisers. Since antidepressants raise the danger of turning depression into hypomania and mania, they should only be used sparingly and only for a brief period after the depression improves. If the medicine is ineffective for severe depression symptoms, ECT (see above) may be utilised. Treatment is tailored to each individual.

3. Cyclothymic Disorder

Cyclothymic disorder is a mood illness that is indicated by periods of variable hypomanic symptoms and periodic periods of depressive symptoms. Although mood swings in cyclothymic disorder are not as extreme as those in bipolar illness, they nonetheless cause problems for daily functioning and quality of life.

The main characteristics of cyclothymic disorder are:

• Periods of high or irritated mood: These are ways to Control High Blood Pressure, increased energy, and impulsivity, which are known as hypomanic episodes. These episodes, meanwhile, are not as severe as the full-blown manic episodes that bipolar I disorder patients experience.
• Persistentness: Cyclothymic disorder is characterised by its chronic nature. The symptoms don't go away for longer than two months at a time and last for at least two years (one year in children and teenagers).
• Episodes of Depression: These include symptoms including melancholy, hopelessness, exhaustion, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, and trouble focusing. Once more, these signs and symptoms pale in comparison to those of major depressive disorder.
• Progression Risk: Cyclothymic disorder may occasionally proceed to bipolar I or II disorder.
• Functionality impairment: Despite being milder, symptoms nevertheless cause problems in day-to-day living, interpersonal interactions, and working or attending school.

Therapy and Medication Work Together in Treatment

Usually, psychotherapy and medication such as mood stabilisers or antidepressants are used in conjunction with treatment. Psychotherapy can assist people in recognising triggers, creating coping mechanisms, and controlling their mood swings. Medication can help lower the frequency and intensity of episodes as well as stabilise mood.

Frequently Asked Questions