According to the World Health Organization, approximately 40 million people worldwide suffer from bipolar disorder. Many people have heard of bipolar disorder and understand that it is a kind of disorder that affects a person’s emotional regulation. However, bipolar is a severely misunderstood condition that affects so much more than a person’s emotional extremities.
In fact, it is usually a chronic mental disorder, which causes a considerable deterioration in the quality of life when treatment is not followed. For this reason, the vast majority of cases require specialized attention at some point in their life, whether from a psychologist, a social worker or a graduate certificate mental health nursing.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar was once known as “manic depression” owing to the condition’s most obvious and well-known symptom, mood swings. Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterised by frequent and intense episodes of mania or hypomania (extremely positive feelings) and severe depression (extremely low). While most people will experience a regulated or even mood, people with bipolar disorder have an inherently dysregulated emotional range. They will fluctuate from one end of the spectrum to the other.
The condition itself is characterised by highly changeable emotional states and behaviours, which means that symptoms of the condition can change depending on what kind of episode a person is having.
During manic or hypomanic episodes, people may experience an overall increase in energy capacity, as well as grandiose ideation, an improved sense of self-worth or confidence, racing speech and thoughts, impulsive or risky behaviours, as well as severely increased happiness or irritability.
During depressive episodes, however, a person with bipolar disorder may experience a complete lack of energy and motivation, severe changes to their sleep pattern, social withdrawal, and a decreased sense of self-worth which may culminate in suicidal ideation.
What types of bipolar disorder exist?
In clinical practice, two types of bipolar disorder are distinguished, which differ primarily by the severity of the manic symptoms. Mania, which causes severe impairment in functionality, may include psychotic symptoms and sometimes even requires hospitalization. Hypomania, on the other hand, is not usually so severe as to cause significant impairment and generally does not require hospitalization.
Bipolar Type 1
Bipolar I, the type most people are familiar with, is the “classic” bipolar. It is characterised by the well-known manic episodes frequent among bipolar sufferers. “Mania” is a severely elevated sense of positivity or self. It is often delusional, uncontrolled, and severely dysregulated. It can sound attractive to have an inflated sense of self, after all the confidence and self-esteem that come with it are something that many people would love to feel.
However, bipolar’s manic states take a healthy, regulated sense of self-esteem and take it to a harmful extreme, often causing periods of psychosis including delusions, and offering confidence in dangerous or risky behaviours such as severe impulse spending, and hypersexual endeavours. During a manic episode, the person does not need as much sleep, suffers from flight of ideas, and is easily distracted.
This is the first of two major differences between bipolar 1 and 2. While all forms of bipolar disorder experience some extreme emotional variation, bipolar 1 is the only one of the two that will experience episodes of true mania. Additionally, people with bipolar 1 may or may not experience depressive episodes.
Bipolar Type 2
Bipolar type 2 has many of the same symptoms as bipolar 1, however, it is characterised by periods of hypomania and depression.
Hypomania is similar to mania in that it is an elevated sense of grandiosity and confidence, however, it often does not go to the same extremes as mania. This is one of the major differences between bipolar 2 and 1, but the clearest difference is that bipolar 1 sufferers do not necessarily suffer from depressive episodes. Bipolar 2 sufferers will.
In the simplest terms, it can be said that bipolar 2 is different because it has less severe states of mania and more severe states of depression. It is therefore not surprising that approximately 12% of people diagnosed with depression later develop bipolar 2 disorder.
This can lead to a lack of motivation, and energy, disrupted sleep. The fact that people with bipolar 2 disorder experience more depressive episodes also increases the likelihood that they will have suicidal thoughts or even attempt to end their life. The risk of suicide in people with bipolar disorder is 15 times higher than that of the general population, accounting for a quarter of all completed cases.
Living with Bipolar
Bipolar disorder can be debilitating if left untreated. There is, unfortunately, no cure for mental illness and bipolar is no exception to that, however with understanding, knowledge, active treatment, and a good support network, it is entirely plausible for people suffering from bipolar to live good, “normal” lives.
Like any mental illness treatment typically utilises some kind of therapy or counselling in tandem with medication. However other treatments for bipolar include being aware of warning signs, having a sense of routine in place, practising therapeutic methods, engaging in your support network, establishing a healthy sleep routine, and more.
Many people live with bipolar disorder. It is currently estimated that around 40 million people across the globe have the condition, some of them are even big names! Mariah Carey, Carrie Fisher, Selena Gomez, Frida Kahlo, Winston Churchill, Robert Downey Jr, and Stephen Fry all have (or had in the case of deceased celebrities) bipolar disorder.
This is simply to say that, like most mental illnesses, the fact that they can’t be cured need not be a signal for disaster. Mental Illnesses can be managed effectively so that any person living with them can live a long, and happy life. Bipolar is no different, all it takes is the commitment to treating it and regular care.
If you suspect that you or someone you love is struggling with bipolar disorder, there is help available. Make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible, and reach out to any available support networks in your area.
References:
Tondo, L. et Al. (2022) Differences between bipolar disorder types 1 and 2 support the DSM two-syndrome concept. Int J Bipolar Disord; 10: 21.
Guzman-Parra, J. et Al. (2021) Clinical and genetic differences between bipolar disorder type 1 and 2 in multiplex families. TranslPsychiatry; 11: 31.
Vázquez, G. H. (2014) Los trastornos bipolares hoy: más allá del DSM–5. Psicodebate; 14(2): 9–24.
Stang, P. et. Al. (2007) Impact of Bipolar Disorder: Results From a Screening Study. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry; 9(1): 42–47.
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