What is the Definition of Bipolar Disorder? A Counselor Explains

Bipolar disorder can be an incredibly difficult condition to live with. Those who suffer from this illness may have to endure periods of drastic change in their mood and may find the constant emotional turmoil very challenging.

To add to the complexity, bipolar can often cause you to experience periods of ‘high’ or ‘manic’ mood, where you are bristling with energy and ideas, commonly followed by a bout of severe depression. It can be an incredibly exhausting and complex condition to live with.

As with any serious mental illness, it is critical to recognize the symptoms and to seek out professional treatment as soon as possible. Bipolar can be a difficult condition to diagnose due to its complicated nature and particular intricacies. However, there are a few common threads that run through the experience of this illness.

What is the Definition of Bipolar Disorder?

Distinctions need to be made between the three different types of bipolar; Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymia. The definition of Bipolar I is the classic case of extremely high manic moods and very low depressive moods. Those suffering Bipolar II will experience something of a hypo-mania, which presents itself as less elevated mood than full-blown mania.

However, those suffering from this condition will also experience the period of very deep depression. Finally, Cyclothymia is a long-term fluctuating cycle between a very high mood and a very depressed mood, though this form of bipolar never progresses into full mania or severe depression.

To help understand this psychological disorder a bit better, this article will take a closer look at some of the common signs and symptoms.

Depression

If you have suffered from depression yourself, you will know that it is a lot more than simply feeling a bit down. Depression can be crippling and is often experienced as part of bipolar disorder.

Depressive episodes can manifest themselves in a severe lack of interest in things that would usually stimulate you. You may experience a complete void of pleasure or joy in your life and may feel as if a dark cloud has descended upon you and that there is no hope on the horizon. Aside from these classic symptoms, you may also experience dramatic changes in weight, sleep patterns, energy levels, and even a tendency to focus on death or suicide.

Mania

While a depressive episode may be experienced by other sufferers of mental illness, mania is one aspect that is relatively exclusive to bipolar disorder. Mania is clinically defined as “a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and abnormally and persistently increased activity or energy, lasting at least one week and present most of the day, nearly every day (or any duration if hospitalization is necessary).”

Mania may lead to impulsivity, spending sprees, or thoughts and ideas that are way beyond the person’s ability. Therefore, it can be an extremely dangerous time for the person experiencing this type of episode, since they can run the risk of incurring large amounts of debt over a short period of time as their condition intersects with their spending habits.

It can be exhausting to try and keep up with someone who is in this state of mind. They may reel off a torrent of thoughts and ideas, barely stopping to eat or sleep, and may be perpetually buzzing with energy and drive. The mania can be a euphoric experience for someone suffering from bipolar, particularly if they have just come out of a depressive episode.

It feels great to be able to get on with their life, unhindered by a depressed mind. The problem is that the reckless behavior that is often exhibited during the periods of mania can have consequences that will hit hard when the person’s mood plummets.

Hypo-mania

As we mentioned earlier, Bipolar II can cause a condition known as “hypo-mania.” Those suffering from this mood disorder can find themselves with an increased ability to cope with everyday life, due to decreased levels of mania. The moods are likely to be less elevated, and the length of the episode is likely to be shorter. The combination of these two factors makes it easier for the person to manage their everyday life and stick to their daily routines.

Cyclothymia

Those suffering from Cyclothymia are likely to experience something similar to hypo-mania. They may deal with a bout of depression followed by a period of elevated mood, but it is unlikely to be severe enough for them to make decisions that could be harmful. Those in this category may experience fluctuating mood, but in general, they are able to keep functioning in their everyday lives.

Psychotic Features

One final element of bipolar disorder is the experience of psychosis. Psychotic features vary greatly from person to person and are thus difficult to comprehensively define. Psychosis may cause the person to hear or see things that are not there. Often, voices are heard within the person’s head, and these may be uttering unpleasant or hurtful things. The torment from this kind of experience can be great, but it is likely to pass as the episode subsides.

Treatments For Bipolar

Treating bipolar disorder can be complex, but it can also be highly successful. The first step is to see a therapist or psychiatric medical professional and allow them to do a full assessment of your condition. As is the case with most mental health problems, they will likely recommend a combination of medication and therapy to help you manage your illness as best you can.

One key element of treating bipolar disorder is the necessity to stabilize your mood. When your mood is fluctuating to such a degree that you are putting yourself or others at risk, it is imperative that the correct medication and treatment is prescribed in order to level off your general state of mind.

Living with bipolar disorder can be frightening, challenging, and highly unpredictable, so meeting with a professionally trained therapist to talk through your experiences, concerns, hopes, and fears can be invaluable.

If you are concerned about your mental health or that of a loved one, don’t wait around. The time to seek professional mental health treatment is now! Through a well-balanced combination of therapy, medication, and steady support, you are likely to experience a vast improvement in your mental health and quality of life.