Bipolar
Bipolar is a mental health problem that mainly affects your mood. If you have bipolar disorder you are likely to have times when you experience manic highs, depressive lows and possibly some psychotic symptoms too.
Mania Symptoms
- You may feel happy and euphoric, uncontrollably excited, increased sex drive, confident, easily distracted and feel untouchable like you cant be harmed.
- You may be more active than usual, talk a lot, be sociable, sleep very little, say and do things inappropriate, take serious risks, financially, socially or physically.
- After this you feel embarrassed or ashamed of what you have said and done, have taken on too many commitments that now feel unmanageable or have unclear memories of what you have just done.
Depression symptoms
- You might feel down, upset or tearful, sluggish and tired. Have low self-esteem and not find anything enjoyable. You might feel guilty or worthless, agitated or tense and suicidal.
- You might not do the normal things you do, have trouble sleeping or sleep too much, become withdrawn or start avoiding people or events, become inactive and maybe even self harm.
- Many people find that a depressive episode can feel harder to deal with than a manic episode, the contrast between the high and the low can make the depression seem even deeper.
Causes
- Childhood trauma – abuse, neglect or bullying
- Stressful life events – relationship changes, change in job, financial issues etc.
- Self-esteem problems – some research has suggested that manic episodes can be to hide feeling low.
- Brain chemistry – some of the medication used to treat bipolar disorder suggest that the function of your brain may be different.
- Genetic inheritance – if you are bipolar, its more likely that there are others in your family too.
Treatments
Usually medication to level out the moods, there are a range of medications that can be used depending on your symptoms and there severity.
Always talk to your GP.
And understanding what it is that triggers a manic or a depressive episode also will allow you to understand it more and prepare for when you may need help.
Talking therapies maybe offered alongside medication.