LIVING WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that causes intense and recurrent episodes of mania and depression. People with bipolar disorder experience extreme highs (mania) and lows (depression), which can be very disruptive and harmful to their lives. Despite the challenges it can cause, there is a lot of truth to the myth that bipolar disorder is a curse. In fact, with the right treatment and support, many people with bipolar disorder can lead productive and fulfilling lives.
The extreme mood swings of bipolar disorder do not occur in a predictable way. Before shifting to the opposite mood, a person may experience the same mood state (depressed or manic) multiple times. These episodes can take place over the course of several weeks, months, or even years. Below are some of the symptoms of bipolar
- Forgetfulness
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Drastic weight changes
- Sudden changes from being joyful to being irritable, angry, and hostile
- Restless
- Making unrealistic plans
- Impulsiveness
Risk factors
It can affect both men and women equally. Having four or more distinct mood episodes in a year is known as "rapid cycling," and it is slightly more common in women than in males. Compared to men with bipolar disorder, women also frequently experience depression.
Women are more likely to have bipolar disorder II and be impacted by seasonal mood swings, and bipolar disorder often occurs later in life for them.
The following factors increase your risk of having bipolar disorder:
- A family member suffering from bipolar illness
- Experiencing extreme stress or trauma
- Drug or alcohol addiction
- Specific medical disorders
When manic or sad, a lot of those who have the disorder abuse alcohol or other substances. Seasonal depression, concurrent anxiety disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder are more prevalent among those who have bipolar disorder.