Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition which is commonly associated with depression, as this is one of the symptoms of the illness. Those suffering with bipolar disorder, which can sometimes be referred to as manic depression, experience extreme mood swings which alternate between periods of mania – which is described as overactive, excited behaviour – and deep, severe depressive episodes. There are stable periods between these mood swings, though. Bipolar disorder often leads people to think they can see or hear things which aren’t there, such as visual or auditory hallucinations, as well as having delusions. While everyone experiences mood swings from time to time, those with bipolar disorder experience them regularly and on a much more extreme level. The symptoms of bipolar disorder include feelings of euphoria or excessive highs, restlessness, a lack of concentration, talking very fast or experiencing very fast-paced thought processes, extreme irritability, an inability to sleep for very long, feelings of grandeur and self importance, risky behaviour, increased sexual drive, poor judgement and aggressive behaviour. Those with this condition often aren’t aware of their symptoms or their behaviour – once the manic phase has past, they tend not to realise how they’ve acted during that stage.
During the depressive episodes, you may feel a sense of emptiness, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, fatigue, suicidal feelings, a lack of concentrations and a loss of interest in everyday life. These are stages of extreme lows and a lack of motivation to do anything at all – you feel as though your life isn’t worth living. Some people can go years with long stable periods and very few bipolar episodes. The length of an episode can vary from a few days to months, as can the frequency. There are several stages of bipolar diagnoses, from mixed states to Bipolar I or II, which are determined by the ratio of depressive episodes to mania. An overactive thyroid can actually mimic many of the symptoms of a bipolar disorder, so getting this condition excluded as a possibility is important – this can be done with a simple blood test.
Ignoring the signs of this condition can be dangerous and it won’t stop you experiencing the symptoms – it will merely exacerbate your condition. Living with untreated bipolar disorder can lead to other problems, such as issues with your health to the possible breakdown of your relationships or career. However, diagnosing the problem early can help your treatment be more effective and can reduce the risk of these complications from arising. If you feel as though you don’t want to seek treatment because you enjoy the feelings you have when you’re manic, be aware that this is dangerous and comes at a price – these stages are destructive to both you and those around you. Because this condition is chronic and a relapsing illness, the treatment for it is long-term. Even when you feel better, you will still need to continue your treatment, and most people need continuous medication to stay symptom-free. Medication isn’t usually enough to stay free of the condition – you invariably need therapy sessions as well, in order to help you navigate the condition and your thought processes which provoke it. Seeking help as early as you can will help to make this treatment far more effective than if you leave it – the longer it has to develop, the worse your symptoms will become. There are many support groups available to help you meet others with the condition, which can help. Speak to your GP if you are unsure about the services near to you – they will be able to offer helplines and groups around you which can help.