Are you supporting a family member or friend with bipolar disorder?
This can be a stressful, overwhelming and isolating experience.
Here is some more information to help you understand what your loved one is going through and how to help yourself.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
In the past, bipolar disorder has been referred to as ‘manic depression’. The condition is now known as ‘bipolar disorder’, as this term more accurately describes the cycling of moods that is experienced by the person between the two poles of ‘high’ or elevated mood and ‘low’ or depressed mood.
The elevated mood is also referred to as mania, a period of elevated, expansive or irritable mood, high energy levels and inappropriate behaviours, which have the potential to cause significant problems in relationships and/or in the person’s workplace.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Clinicians differentiate between bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder; bipolar I is more severe than bipolar II.
A person with bipolar I will have extreme manic states, their behaviour quickly escalates and their mania is likely to require hospitalisation.
Bipolar II is considered more common; their manic symptoms are less severe and cause less impairment for the individual. In bipolar II these episodes are referred to as hypomania.
A manic episode can include the following symptoms:
- Feeling overly confident or extremely euphoric
- Less need for sleep
- Excessive talkativeness
- Racing thoughts and easily distracted
- Disjointed or distorted thinking
- Symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations and delusions
- Inappropriate sexual behaviour
- Decreased ability to make sound or rational decisions
- Increased focus on goal-directed activity
- Loss of interest in things they usually enjoy
In a depressive state the person with bipolar will experience the opposite of mania:
- Low, sad or pessimistic mood
- Difficulty making decisions
- Uninterested in performing everyday tasks
- Uninterested in activities they once found pleasurable
- Disruptive sleep
- Loss of appetite and sex drive
- Recurrent thought of death and suicide
What causes Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar affects 0.6 (bipolar I) and 0.8 per cent (bipolar II) of the population at some time in their lives (APA 2013). Onset is usually before the age of 30 years but can occur at any time. The most common pattern involves repeated episodes of mania or depression, usually followed by a period of remission.
Several factors may contribute to a person developing bipolar disorder such as genetics or hormonal problems. Environmental factors such as abuse, trauma, mental stress, significant loss or substance misuse can trigger bipolar disorder.
Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
Typically, bipolar disorder is treated with a combination of three different types of medication; a mood-stabilizing drug, antipsychotics and anti-depressants. The person needs to be diagnosed by a psychiatrist and usually continues to receive medications through their GP. Psychotherapy is highly recommended.
People with bipolar are manic all the time.
Not true.
A person with bipolar disorder is likely to be symptom-free for the majority of the time and live a productive life in the community.
Bipolar Disorder are just mood swings which everyone has.
Incorrect.
The highs and lows of bipolar disorder are very different from common mood swings.
How to help your loved one
The best way to help someone experiencing a mental health challenge or illness, is to offer a listening ear and let them know you are there for them.
Often, we have a strong desire to ‘fix’ or ‘solve’ someone else’s problem, however this is not your role and should be left to a professional. The best thing you can do is to help them find an appropriate service though a GP, mental health phone line, mental health service or by searching online.
How to help yourself
Having someone close to you who lives with mental health challenges can be exhausting, frustrating, confusing and isolating. But you don’t have to go through it alone.
HelpingMinds offers free and confidential support to people who are caring for someone living with mental health challenges. We offer free counselling, support groups, rest and revive activities, school holiday programs, family programs, youth programs and advocacy to people living in WA.
