Do you think you may have bipolar disorder?
Or, perhaps someone you love is struggling with their mental health and you are worried that they may be bipolar?
Either way, it can be a good idea to find out the most common signs of this mental health issue, so that you correctly identify it and seek the treatment you or your loved one needs.
Read on to discover the most common signs of bipolar disorder. Plus, where to get bespoke help and support with this challenging mental health concern.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a type of mood disorder which used to be known as manic depression. Most commonly it causes extreme mood swings but there are many other associated symptoms that you need to look out for.
There are two different types of bipolar disorder: bipolar disorder I and bipolar disorder II. The former is related to episodes of mania, whereas the latter involves depressive episodes and hypomania.
What Are the Most Common Signs of Bipolar?
Although bipolar is most commonly associated with very high and very low moods, there are many other common symptoms and signs that you should look out for.
Mania
If someone is suffering from an episode of mania, they may experience some or all the below symptoms:
- Feeling happy and excited even when your life is not going well
- Moving quickly from one idea to the next
- Having a racing mind
- Talking very fast
- Hearing voices
- Being grumpy or irritable
- Being easily distracted
- Not being able to sleep or not wanting to sleep
- Making big decisions on a whim
- Spending a lot of money
- Having casual sex with multiple partners
- Gambling
- Using drugs or alcohol
Depression
If someone is experiencing a depressive episode related to bipolar disorder, they are likely to experience some or all of the below symptoms:
- Feeling low
- Having less energy
- Feeling tired
- Feeling helpless or worthless
- Having difficulty concentrating or focusing
- Not being able to make decisions
- Sleeping all the time or not sleeping enough
- Eating less or eating too much
- Feeling suicidal
Psychosis
If someone is experiencing either a severe episode of mania or depression, they may also exhibit symptoms of psychosis such as:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
Where to Get Help with Bipolar Disorder
If you or someone you love is exhibiting some of the above symptoms and you suspect that bipolar is the cause, then you must seek professional help as soon as possible.
Although you can speak to your doctor about your mental health, they will not be able to diagnose bipolar disorder, only a psychiatrist can do this.
Once diagnosed, there is a wide range of treatment options available including mental health treatment centers which offer bespoke treatment for bipolar and other complicated mental health disorders. Look at Alta Loma for instance which specializes in treating men with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance abuse disorder.
Wherever you choose to get help, make sure you find a mental health counselor that you feel comfortable opening up to and one that is specifically trained in treating bipolar disorder.
