If you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, chances are you have a lot of questions.

Even if you have been aware of your diagnosis for some time, there are some things that you may not know or understand about the disorder.

This article will explain important things you need to know about bipolar disorder.

What is Bipolar Disorder (BD)?

Bipolar Disorder, previously known as manic-depressive disorder, is categorized by unusual and sometimes extreme shifts in mood.

While people who suffer from Bipolar Disorder do share the commonality of shifting moods and varying sleep and energy levels, there is more than one type of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Type I

Bipolar I disorder is defined as a person having a least one severe manic episode that lasts at least seven days. Those who have Bipolar I Disorder usually experience episodes of depression as well, and may even experience mania with dysphoria or extreme sadness and self-loathing known as a mixed manic episode.

Manic symptoms for people with Bipolar I may be severe enough to need immediate hospital care.

Bipolar Type II

Bipolar II is defined as a person experiencing at least one hypomanic (mild manic) episode, but the depressive episodes tend to be severe, often with suicidal thoughts.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Cyclothymic disorder, sometimes called cyclothymia, is when a person has periods of hypomania (mild mania) as well as periods of mild to moderate depression. Those who have cyclothymia will experience symptoms for at least one year as a child or adolescent, and at least two years as an adult.

People with cyclothymia experience both depression and hypomania (mild mania), but they don’t have severe mania or severe depressive episodes.

Bipolar Other, Non-Specified

Other or non-specified is defined by bipolar disorder symptoms that don’t match the above categories. For example, the disorder may be induced by drugs and alcohol or may be attributed to other medical conditions like multiple sclerosis or stroke.

How Common is BD?

Bipolar Disorder is a fairly common condition. In fact, in the United States, Bipolar Disorder affects about 5.7 million adults. That’s 2.6% of the U.S. population.

Estimates for how many children or teens are affected is harder to determine. Many young people go undiagnosed as the criteria for diagnosis is still debated. However, research suggests that many as 1.8% of children and adolescents have Bipolar Disorder.

What are the Signs of BD?

As mentioned in the previous section, there are several things that categorize bipolar disorder. Depending on the diagnosis, a person may experience an extended manic phase or an extended depressive phase. A person with bipolar disorder may also cycle through both, or have a mixture of manic and depressive symptoms.

But what are mania and depression, and what are signs that a person is living through one or both of these phases?

What is the Manic Phase of BD?

At first, it may seem like a person would want to live in a manic phase. People who have mania may feel great, have a lot of energy and be very productive and creative. Unfortunately, mania can also be dangerous, frightening, and irritating for others.

A person having a manic episode has a decreased need for sleep and may go several days with little or no sleep. They often have difficulty focusing, and they may not be able to communicate well with others. Their thoughts and words can come out so quickly and jumbled that others who are acting on a normal level may not relate to them.

People who are manic may become agitated or irritable, and may engage in risky behavior like spending a lot of money or having impulsive sex. It’s also common for someone in a manic episode to make impulsive and irresponsible choices.

In addition, it’s common for people with mania to begin using substances to replicate the feeling they get from their high moments.

In more extreme cases, those who are having trouble controlling their thoughts and actions may end up requiring care at a hospital. The feeling of mania can be very frightening and disorienting at times, especially when thoughts and feelings are happening far too quickly for a person to register them appropriately.

What is the Depressive Phase of BD?

In many ways, depression is the opposite of mania.

Those who experience depression often have uncontrollable feelings of sadness or helplessness. These feelings are not fleeting and may last for long periods of time.

People who are in a depressive phase may cry over things that wouldn’t ordinarily cause that reaction. They may become consumed with negative thoughts or dwell on things in the past or things they can’t change.

These feelings may make them feel angry, even at things they would normally enjoy. It can be isolating and a person with depression may intentionally pull away from loved ones. During a normal period, they may enjoy going out and seeing people, but often people living through a depressive phase will want to withdraw and stay home alone. They may also want to avoid intimacy with partners or spouses.

They may have periods of fatigue or mental fog. Often those with depression want to stay in bed and have to fight prolonged feelings of exhaustion. Those with depression may find it very difficult to accomplish simple tasks like brushing their teeth or tidying the house.

Those suffering from depression may find it difficult to find joy or pleasure in things that would ordinarily bring happiness. The feelings of helplessness may convince them that they will never reach their personal goals. It can be a very sad and difficult time.

What Treatments are Available for People with BD?

Treatment for bipolar disorder should always be guided by a professional who specializes in the disorder. It’s a lifelong condition and is something that needs ongoing care.

Most people who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder are benefitted by a mix of medication and therapy.

Medication

For those with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, medication is almost always necessary. Some common choices are:

• Mood stabilizers all treat manic episodes, while two (lithium and lamotrigine) also treat depressive episodes.
• Antipsychotics are highly effective for treating mania, while a few treat depressive episodes as well.
• Antidepressants are occasionally used to treat depressive episodes, but they are very risky since they can both induce mania and can permanently worsen Bipolar Disorder.

Finding the right medication for you or your loved one may take time and involves open communication with your psychiatrist.

Light Therapy

Many people with Bipolar Disorder have a seasonal pattern where they have depressive episodes every fall and winter (and manic episodes during the spring and summer).

This seasonal pattern can be triggered by the colder weather and decreased daylight during the fall and winter.

Light therapy uses extremely bright lights from full spectrum lamps (light boxes) that mimic sunlight and trick the body into thinking it summer and not winter, preventing the depressive episode.

The trick is to not use the light box too much or you can risk triggering a manic episode.

Psychotherapy

Many people who have bipolar disorder find psychotherapy helps them manage it.

Some common types of therapy include:

• Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) teaches individuals how to stabilize daily rhythms. This may include things like sleeping and mealtimes. Establishing a routine is often helpful for people with bipolar disorder.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identify8ing unhealthy or negative beliefs. Once they are identified, they can be replaced with positive ones. This type of therapy can help people identify what might trigger a bipolar episode and help them manage stressful situations.
• Family-Focused Therapy is a type of therapy that includes a support system for a person diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Having a support system can them manage their disorder. It also gives them someone to communicate with and help them recognize the warning signs of an upcoming mood swing.

Life Insurance and BD

Those who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder can sometimes have trouble getting life insurance. However, it is not impossible to get a life insurance policy.

To start the process, you’ll need to give your medical history with your diagnosis to your insurance agent. Your medical records are private so you will have to facilitate the exchange.

You may have to answer some questions to your insurance provider like when you were last hospitalized and how frequent are your symptoms?

The process may take a month or more for your insurance provider to research your case.

If you’re interested in learning if life insurance is a good fit for you, you can reach out to an agent today.

Learn More Bipolar Disorder

To learn more about bipolar disorder, check out the International Bipolar Foundation or the National Institute of Mental Health.

Know that you’re not alone. There are many other people in the world who also have bipolar disorder. If you’re looking for someone to connect with, you can find a support group near you. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance has many chapters available across the United States.

They also offer online support groups if there is not one local to you.

Guest article by Anna Kucirokova

Article republished. Original text here.