Receiving or pursuing a bipolar disorder diagnosis is a brave step.
The first thing to know: Youre not alone.
It can also cause mood episodes with mixed features, meaning both emotional highs and lows2.
Knowing the symptoms of bipolar disorder can help you pursue a diagnosis.
Like many other mental health conditions, bipolar disorder doesnt just affect a persons emotions.
It can also change peoples behavior and result in significant impairment in other areas of life1.
Bipolar disorder is considered a lifelong condition, so treatment is focused on managing symptoms.
The good news is there are plenty of effective and safe treatment options available to stabilize mood.
Wondering if you may have bipolar disorder, and what next steps you should take?
Kudos for taking a step forward in caring for your mental health.
Heres what you oughta know about the condition, from risk factors and symptoms to bipolar disorder diagnosis andtreatment.
While genetics are an important potential factor in developing bipolar disorder, there are others as well.
For example, stressful circumstances, traumatic events, or drug or alcohol abuse could incite a bipolar episode.
But a persons experience with bipolar disorder is as unique as they are.
Not everyone with bipolar disorder shares the same symptoms or experiences those symptoms with the same severity.
Read on for some of the most common symptoms of the main types of bipolar episodes.
Mania symptoms
According to Dr. Mondimore, mania is the exact opposite of depression.
Rather than feeling sluggish and down, people experiencing mania have high energy levels and racing thoughts2.
Generally, mania lasts for at least one week, according to the Cleveland Clinic8.
Signs of hypomania
When it comes to hypomania, picture a less severe version of mania.
Bipolar mixed episodes
Manic and depressive episodes dont always occur separately.
Some people with bipolar disorder have mixed episodes, which include both symptoms of depression and mania.
Using illicit substances can also triggermixed bipolar episodes.
While everybody experiences ups and downs from time to time, bipolar disorder is typically more persistent and severe.
How is bipolar disorder usually diagnosed?
Getting diagnosed with bipolar disorder can be a complicated process.
According to Dr. Mondimore, some people go years without getting a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Understanding the risk factors, signs, and symptoms are the first steps in supporting your mental health.
But, if necessary, your doctor can still diagnose you without that information.
For example, say you experience racing thoughts from time to time.
To be formally diagnosed with bipolar disorder, youll need to meet specific criteria.
Psychoeducation has been tested in research studies10, and it helps people do better, he says.
According to Dr. Mondimore, people with bipolar I are also more likely to develop delusions and hallucinations.
According to Dr. Wang, this form of bipolar disorder includes depression and hypomania.
Cyclothymic disorder
Cyclothymic disorder is a condition on the bipolar spectrum characterized by milder mood swings.
Generally, Dr. Mondimore says, cyclothymic disorder is very responsive to medication.
Like other types of bipolar disorder, a cyclothymic disorder diagnosis requires specific criteria.
Diagnosis can help us choose the best treatment, says Dr. Wang.
We just want to help our patients with the symptoms theyre living with.
