What is Bipolar Disorder? a sense of hopelessness What is bipolar disorder? suicidal feelings Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that involves extreme swings in moods, from feeling extremely energetic, overly-excited or irritable- What causes bipolar disorder? “mania”, known as to feeling low in mood, with Bipolar disorder does run in families, suggesting a decreased energy, known as “depression”. Between genetic link. Most research suggests that a stressful these severe highs and lows, there may be stable environment, social factors, or physical illness may times. trigger the condition. Sleep disturbance can be an What are the symptoms? important contributor. symptoms can include: How is it diagnosed? elevated or irritable mood It is best to first eliminate any potential physical increased activity, restlessness and excitement causes of symptoms. For example, an overactive talking very fast thyroid gland can mimic the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Street drugs like cocaine, ecstasy or loss of normal social inhibitions amphetamine can also cause symptoms similar to decreased need for sleep mania. It is best to be seen by a psychiatrist who can inflated self-esteem make the correct diagnosis. increased sexual drive What treatment is available? risky behaviour Medication is important to reduce symptoms, which symptoms can include: Depressive “mood can include stabilisers”. Talking treatment is also helpful in addition to medication, providing loss of interest in daily life education about the illness and medication. If the feeling guilty or worthless person is particularly distressed or unable to cope at lack of energy home, they may benefit from a hospital admission. difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much How can family and friends help? weight loss or gain It is helpful if the family or carer is also aware of changes in appetite the importance of medication and to know what early warning symptoms to look out for.
What is Bipolar Disorder? What is bipolar disorder? Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that involves extreme swings in moods, from feeling extremely energetic, overly-excited or irritable- known as “mania”, to feeling low in mood, with decreased energy, known as “depression”. Between these severe highs and lows, there may be stable times. What are the symptoms? symptoms can include: elevated or irritable mood increased activity, restlessness and excitement talking very fast loss of normal social inhibitions decreased need for sleep inflated self-esteem increased sexual drive risky behaviour Depressive symptoms can include: loss of interest in daily life feeling guilty or worthless lack of energy difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much weight loss or gain changes in appetite a sense of hopelessness suicidal feelings What causes bipolar disorder? Bipolar disorder does run in families, suggesting a genetic link. Most research suggests that a stressful environment, social factors, or physical illness may trigger the condition. Sleep disturbance can be an important contributor. How is it diagnosed? It is best to first eliminate any potential physical causes of symptoms. For example, an overactive thyroid gland can mimic the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Street drugs like cocaine, ecstasy or amphetamine can also cause symptoms similar to mania. It is best to be seen by a psychiatrist who can make the correct diagnosis. What treatment is available? Medication is important to reduce symptoms, which can include “mood stabilisers”. Talking treatment is also helpful in addition to medication, providing education about the illness and medication. If the person is particularly distressed or unable to cope at home, they may benefit from a hospital admission. How can family and friends help? It is helpful if the family or carer is also aware of the importance of medication and to know what early warning symptoms to look out for.
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