Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme and often unpredictable mood swings. Although incredibly challenging to live with, the good news is that there are a range of effective treatments and strategies available to help people manage their symptoms.
Here, we’ll take a closer look at what bipolar disorder is – including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and ways to cope.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that mainly impacts mood. People with bipolar often swing between periods of mania (extreme highs) and depression (extreme lows), interspersed with periods where moods are more level. Some people also experience psychotic symptoms during a manic phase.
Bipolar disorder differs from simple mood swings, as moods tend to be more intense, and each phase can last for several weeks, or longer.
The condition used to be known as manic depression but was renamed in 1980 to help remove stigma.
What are the different types of bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder can be broken down into types and subtypes. Depending on how you experience bipolar symptoms, your doctor may diagnose you with a particular type.
We’ll cover some of the main symptoms of different types of bipolar disorder, according to mental health charity Mind, below.
Note: Not all medical professionals agree on how to categorise or diagnose bipolar disorder.
Bipolar 1
You may be diagnosed with bipolar 1 if you’ve experienced at least one manic phase, which lasted longer than a week. Some people with bipolar 1 have depressive phases too, but not everyone.
Bipolar 2
People with bipolar 2 will have experienced at least one depressive phase, alongside symptoms of hypomania that last at least four days.
Bipolar with seasonal pattern
Some people are diagnosed with bipolar 1 or 2 with seasonal patterns. This means that the time of year often affects a person’s mood phases.
Cyclothymia
If someone has experienced both hypomanic and depressive mood disorders over the course of two years or more, but symptoms aren’t severe enough to be diagnosed as bipolar 1 or bipolar 2, they may be diagnosed with cyclothymia.
Cyclothymia can sometimes develop into bipolar or bipolar 2.
Note: Some people find cyclothymia diagnosis difficult to receive as they may feel as though someone is saying their symptoms aren’t ‘serious enough’. It’s important to note that this isn’t the case; cyclothymia can significantly impact daily life and your experience is valid.
Bipolar with mixed features
If you experience mixed phases (depression and mania or hypomania at the same time, or very quickly after each other) you may be diagnosed with bipolar 1 or 2 ‘with mixed features’.
This is sometimes called mixed bipolar state or mixed affective bipolar.
Rapid cycling bipolar
You may be diagnosed with bipolar 1 or bipolar 2 with ‘rapid cycling’ if you’ve experienced four or more depressive, manic or hypomanic, or mixed phases within one year.
This might mean that you feel stable for a few weeks in between phases; for example, cycling between depressive phases and stable periods.
Rapid cycling isn’t currently considered a separate type of bipolar disorder. Further research is needed, as there’s still a lot that experts don’t know about the condition, but you can read more on the Bipolar UK website.
Unspecified bipolar
If your symptoms don’t quite fit into any of the categories above, you may be diagnosed with unspecified bipolar.
Note: Unspecified bipolar doesn’t mean your symptoms are any less difficult or that you don’t need support or treatment.
What can cause bipolar disorder and at what age can it be diagnosed?
Experts are currently unsure what causes bipolar disorder. However, it’s generally agreed that a combination of factors – both physical, social, and environmental – may increase a person’s risk.
Research has also identified a link between creativity and bipolar disorder. For example, many famous artists, musicians, and actors have been diagnosed with the condition, including Mariah Carey, Ernest Hemingway, and Mel Gibson.
We’ll cover some of the most common factors below.
Childhood trauma
There’s evidence that childhood trauma may increase the risk of bipolar disorder, likely by impacting a person’s ability to manage their emotions.
Examples include neglect, losing a parent, and sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.
Stressful life events
Some people with bipolar are able to link the onset of their symptoms to stressful life experiences or situations.
Research has also found that stress in general can be a trigger for mood phases and may make symptoms feel more intense.
Examples include financial worries, workplace pressure, experiencing trauma, and relationship breakdowns.
Genetics
According to experts, if you have bipolar disorder you’re more likely to have a family member who experiences bipolar moods and symptoms.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a ‘bipolar gene’, as family links are likely much more complex. For example, researchers think bipolar development could largely be down to social and environmental factors, which family members have a big influence on as you grow up.
Brain chemistry
Bipolar symptoms are sometimes treated with psychiatric medications that affect neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in your brain. This suggests that bipolar disorder may be linked to a person’s brain chemistry – specifically, neurotransmitter function.
For example, lithium – the main medicine used to treat bipolar disorder in the UK – works by influencing neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and glutamate.
However, further research is needed to confirm the link between brain chemistry and bipolar.
Medication, drugs, and alcohol use
Research suggests that medication, drugs, and alcohol may increase your risk of developing bipolar disorder.
For example, according to Mind, some medications can cause mania or hypomania as a side effect – either when taking them or as a withdrawal symptom when you stop. This includes medications for physical conditions as well as psychiatric medications, including some antidepressants.
Addictive behaviours and substance abuse are also common in people with bipolar. And some studies suggest that alcohol use or withdrawal affect the same neurotransmitters in the brain as bipolar disorder. As a result, some people find that alcohol misuse and bipolar can each trigger symptoms of one another.
How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?
If you suspect you may have bipolar disorder, it’s important to speak to your GP.
If your GP thinks you may have bipolar disorder, they’ll usually refer you to a psychiatrist who’ll carry out a specialist assessment.
Your psychiatrist will ask you about your symptoms, medical background, and family history. They may also carry out other tests to rule out physical problems, such as an underactive or overactive thyroid.
If you’re diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you’ll need to visit your GP regularly to have physical and mental health reviews. You can read more about how bipolar disorder is diagnosed on the NHS website.
How is bipolar disorder treated?
Treatment for bipolar disorder aims to reduce the frequency and severity of depression and manic phases to allow people to live as normally as possible.
The two main types of treatment for bipolar disorder are medication and talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Other approaches, including lifestyle changes, like regular exercise and a healthy diet, can also be used.
The right treatment for you will depend on personal needs, including whether you’re treating a current mood episode or managing your mental health in the longer term. The good news is that with the right treatment, bipolar phases usually improve.
You can read more about treatment options for bipolar disorder on the NHS website.
5 tips for living with bipolar disorder
Many people with bipolar disorder report feeling like they have little control over their symptoms. And while the condition can be incredibly difficult to live with, it’s important to remember, you’re not alone, and there are plenty of things you can do to help manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
We’ll cover some of these below…
1. Understand your triggers and warning signs
Learning to understand your moods, including triggers and warning signs, can help people feel more prepared to manage their bipolar symptoms.
Triggers and warning signs will be different for everyone. However, common triggers include stress, a lack of sleep, and feeling overwhelmed; while changes to sleeping or eating patterns can be warning signs.
Noting down patterns in a diary on your phone can be helpful for identifying triggers and warning signs. Bipolar UK has a free mood scale and mood diary, which you might find useful.
2. Take steps to manage stress levels
Since stress is a common trigger for bipolar phases, taking steps to manage stress is important.
For help with this, you might like to read our articles; 7 tips for coping with stress and anxiety and 9 simple stress relieving activities.
3. Stick to a routine
Many people with bipolar disorder find that sticking to a routine helps them feel more stable.
This might include having a regular bedtime, meal times, and a set time of day to take medication. Others find it beneficial to schedule hobbies, social plans, and mindfulness activities into their day.
4. Look after your physical health
Physical health is closely linked with mental wellbeing. So, taking steps to improve your health – for example, by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough good-quality sleep – can make all the difference to those living with bipolar.
5. Build a support network
Having a strong support network can help people living with bipolar disorder manage their symptoms. For example, being able to rely on others to listen to you, help you stick to a routine, and recognise signs of mood phases.
Examples of support networks include family, friends, and peer support groups. Many people find connecting with others who have shared experiences of bipolar disorder to be particularly valuable.
You can search for a bipolar support group near you on Bipolar UK. Other online forums include Mind’s Side by Side and Bipolar UK’s online community.
If you know someone who’s currently struggling with bipolar disorder, Mind has useful advice on how you can support them on their website.
If your bipolar symptoms are interfering with your work, you may find Bipolar UK’s An Employee’s Guide to Employment and Bipolar, useful.
Final thoughts...
Being diagnosed with bipolar disorder can come as a shock, and you might wonder how you’ll adjust. However, the good news is that with the right treatment and support, many people with bipolar are able to enjoy normal, happy lives.
The most important thing is to be kind to yourself and remember that you’re not alone.
For further reading, head over to the healthy mind section of our website. Here, you’ll find information on everything from coping with depression to counselling and therapy services.
Do you have any experience of bipolar disorder that you’d like to add? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.
