Bipolar Affective Disorder and Bipolar II
Bipolar Affective Disorder (Bipolar I), previously known as Manic Depression and Bipolar II are mood disorders and are serious mental health conditions. Both conditions cause periods of depression (feeling low and demotivated) and periods of elevated mood (mania or hypo-mania). The moods can swing from one to another. Each episode of bipolar can last several weeks or more.
What is mania/hypo-mania?
Mania is a seriously elevated mood in which a person can become either psychotic (hearing voices, delusions of grandeur, paranoia), reckless with spending money and sexual activity, and irritable. Hypo-mania is a mood not as elevated as mania but can still have serious consequences. In both mania and hypo-mania, the person can become overly ambitious and/or very excited. Usually, the person affected will have little sleep, talk very fast and become annoyed easily.
Sometimes with mania comes psychotic symptoms. This can include hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren't there) and believing things that are not true (delusions). Common delusions include:
Bipolar I
Periods of mania and depression lasting several weeks or longer. It should be said that some people experience only mania alone.
Either psychotic or non-psychotic symptoms.
Moods can be rapid cycling. Rapid cycling can be diagnosed if you have experienced at least four or more episodes of mania, hypo-mania or depression within a year. Someone with rapid cycling may experience mood changes within a day or hours.
Bipolar II
Periods of hypo-mania which can last a few days to a few weeks and depression lasting up to 12 months.
Cyclothymia
Periods of hypo-manic and depressive episodes within the space of two years and/or symptoms aren't severe enough for Bipolar I or II.
It is not uncommon to have stable periods between episodes.
Both Bipolar I and II can have a serious impact on someone's daily living:
In some cases, some people may have to be in hospital while they receive treatment. This is if the symptoms are severe (such as psychotic episodes) or if the person is under threat of harm (self harm, suicide or considered harmful to others).
Lithium Carbonate is the most commonly used medication to treat Bipolar Disorder, usually prescribed over a long period of time. It helps with manic and depressive episodes. Someone taking Lithium will need regular blood tests to make sure their lithium levels aren't too high, as this can be dangerous.
With proper treatment, the outlook for Bipolar Disorder is good. People can maintain healthy, normal lives and some may not have an episode for a long time (if ever again).
What is mania/hypo-mania?
Mania is a seriously elevated mood in which a person can become either psychotic (hearing voices, delusions of grandeur, paranoia), reckless with spending money and sexual activity, and irritable. Hypo-mania is a mood not as elevated as mania but can still have serious consequences. In both mania and hypo-mania, the person can become overly ambitious and/or very excited. Usually, the person affected will have little sleep, talk very fast and become annoyed easily.
Sometimes with mania comes psychotic symptoms. This can include hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren't there) and believing things that are not true (delusions). Common delusions include:
- Believing you are an important figure such as the president, God, the devil or a famous person.
- Believing you have important court cases against people or companies. Believing you have a court case against mental health services or hospitals is common.
- Believing you are special or chosen.
Bipolar I
Periods of mania and depression lasting several weeks or longer. It should be said that some people experience only mania alone.
Either psychotic or non-psychotic symptoms.
Moods can be rapid cycling. Rapid cycling can be diagnosed if you have experienced at least four or more episodes of mania, hypo-mania or depression within a year. Someone with rapid cycling may experience mood changes within a day or hours.
Bipolar II
Periods of hypo-mania which can last a few days to a few weeks and depression lasting up to 12 months.
Cyclothymia
Periods of hypo-manic and depressive episodes within the space of two years and/or symptoms aren't severe enough for Bipolar I or II.
It is not uncommon to have stable periods between episodes.
Both Bipolar I and II can have a serious impact on someone's daily living:
- Lack of sleep or sleeping too much.
- Increased or loss of appetite.
- Lack of motivation when depressed.
- Not socialising and becoming withdrawn.
- Poor self care.
In some cases, some people may have to be in hospital while they receive treatment. This is if the symptoms are severe (such as psychotic episodes) or if the person is under threat of harm (self harm, suicide or considered harmful to others).
What can cause Bipolar?
There are a few different causes of diagnosis on the Bipolar spectrum, including childhood trauma, brain chemistry, low self-esteem and stressful life events. Sometimes certain antidepressants can cause mania as a side effect.
- Childhood trauma can include abuse which can be physical, sexual or emotional and/or neglect. Other forms of trauma include traumatic events or losing someone close to you, such as a parent or carer.
- Brain chemistry can include neurotransmitters in the brain not working properly.
- Low self-esteem can be related to manic episodes, which can be used to mask depression as it can give you self-confidence.
- Stressful life events can include the breakdown of a relationship, money worries or experiencing a loss.
Medication
One of the ways of treating Bipolar is by using medication. This can include:
- Lithium.
- Antidepressants can be used to treat depression.
- Antipsychotics which can manage psychotic episodes as well as bring someone down from a manic episode. Some antipsychotics also have a mood stabiliser effect.
- Mood stabilisers such as Lamotrigine and Valproate. These can be used to lessen manic episodes and also treat severe depression.
Lithium Carbonate is the most commonly used medication to treat Bipolar Disorder, usually prescribed over a long period of time. It helps with manic and depressive episodes. Someone taking Lithium will need regular blood tests to make sure their lithium levels aren't too high, as this can be dangerous.
Other forms of treatment
Medication is just one form of treatment for Bipolar Disorder. Other forms of treatment include therapy, such as:- Psychotherapy or talking therapy
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Lifestyle advice, such as healthy eating, practicing sleep hygiene, and exercising regularly.
- Self help including self care techniques, planning activities you enjoy and socialising.
With proper treatment, the outlook for Bipolar Disorder is good. People can maintain healthy, normal lives and some may not have an episode for a long time (if ever again).
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