Highs, Lows, and Everything Between A blog about Bipolar Disorder and How to treat it
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes people to alter their moods terribly and quickly. Usually, patients experience a severe state of depression followed by a period of mania. What is bipolar disorder? Simply put, it is a mental condition where people experience episodes of extremes in mood.
These episodes are called manic and depressive episodes. Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition, which means that it lasts for the rest of your life. You will always be prone to periods of mania and depression if left untreated.
Mood swings are a hallmark symptom of bipolar disorder.
It is a mental illness that features extreme shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. Those with bipolar disorder experience episodes of mania and depression that can last for days or months at a time. They might also experience hypomania, which is essentially a milder form of mania that doesn't have as severe symptoms.
Mania is characterized by seemingly boundless energy and an inflated sense of self-worth. People who are manic may have racing thoughts, be highly productive, feel euphoric, and engage in risky behaviors like gambling or spending too much money.
On the other hand, people in the depressed phase of bipolar disorder will feel sad and hopeless for weeks and may lose interest in most activities they used to enjoy. They may also show irritability, hopelessness, guilt, and suicidal thoughts.
During the depressive phase of bipolar disorder, patients often suffer from mood swings. They may feel euphoric one moment and then become intensely sad or angry for no apparent reason. Some people even experience rapid cycling between these two states within hours or days of each other.
The overwhelming majority of patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder are depressed. Indeed, the ratio of time spent depressed to time being spent in a chronic state, depersonalization disorder, or manic state is at least three to one during the course of the bipolar I subtype of the condition.
Individuals with the bipolar II subgroup experience depression for significantly more extended periods of time. It can last up to 37 times as long as bipolar I.
Bipolar depression is widely acknowledged as the most destructive element of the condition in terms of incapacity, lost years of production, and suicide risk.
Severe depression may be associated with psychotic symptoms. Hallucinations and delusions are examples of these symptoms. Additionally, they may experience paranoid ideas of being persecuted or observed by a powerful figure, including the authorities or an opposing force.
Additionally, intense and uncommon religious views may exist, such as patients' adamant belief that they will have a Deity role to play in society, a great and historic purpose to complete, or that they have mystical powers.
Hallucinations in depression can be even more severe, frequently manifesting as extreme remorse for alleged wrongs committed against others.
Frequently during these periods, patients need to be hospitalized because their symptoms can become so. Not only is bipolar disorder painful for people who have it, but it is also difficult for their friends and family to manage too.
If you want to know more about this illness, then you are in the right place! We have included all the information that you need to know about this condition, its causes, and symptoms, as well as the treatments available for it.
Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
There are many treatments for bipolar disorder, but no cure. However, it can be successfully managed with a combination of medications and psychotherapy. In some cases, hypnotherapy has proven successful in treating symptoms of bipolar disorder. It's also important to note that treatment for each person is unique and highly individualized, so treatment plans vary from person to person.
Medication
Medications have been developed to treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder and help reduce the likelihood of manic episodes. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat bipolar depression. Anticonvulsants can help stabilize moods and reduce impulsivity. Mood stabilizers such as lithium may be used in conjunction with an antipsychotic to treat acute mania or mixed episodes.
Lifestyle changes
Some lifestyle changes can help prevent a relapse into a manic episode. These include getting enough sleep; eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly; reducing stress through meditation or other means; avoiding excessive sun exposure; monitoring caffeine consumption; and avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis for bipolar disorder employs meditation, breath-guided relaxation, and self-exploration to create an enhanced consciousness. Psychotherapy assists us in identifying and altering undesirable patterns of thought and actions.
Whenever engaging with a psychotherapist will help improve confidence, decrease stress, plus increase optimistic ideologies. Once new behaviors and perspectives begin taking hold, everyone else will start to encourage these people. Relying on a unique scenario, people may experience effects in as little as a few sessions or as many as more. Each therapy appointment for bipolar disorder is individual to each person, your response to therapies, and what works best to achieve the primary goals.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, or “talking” therapy, is a critical component of bipolar disorder treatments. You can share the feelings, thoughts, and actions that are causing you distress during treatment. Talk therapy can assist you in identifying and hopefully resolving any issues impairing your capacity to operate effectively in your lifestyle and profession. Additionally, it helps you in adhering to your drug regimen. It can aid in the maintenance of a positive self-image.
Bipolar disorder is a great deal more common than you might think. And unlike what popular media might suggest, bipolar disorder is not something that will go away once a character experiences one or two highs and lows. Most people who have bipolar disorder need to take medications, see mental health professionals, and make some lifestyle changes to monitor their symptoms and maintain stability. One of the most important things to keep in mind when trying to manage bipolar disorder or the mood swings that it causes is that there is no magic bullet or easy way around it. It can be a lot of work to maintain your health and figure out the best way forward, but hopefully, this article can help guide you in the right direction.
If you think you may have bipolar disorder, don't hesitate: treatment is available. Take the first step to getting help and getting your life back by calling your primary care physician or immediately speaking with a psychiatric professional. Don't wait until it is too late!
