World Bipolar Day - Signs and Treatment of the Mental Illness

Posted On: 2024-03-29 12:24:00

According to the Mayo Clinic, Bipolar “is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).” In simple words, Bipolar is characterized by mood swings between depression and mania. 

 

But calling it simple mood swings is a great disservice to bipolar around the world, as it simplifies their complex mental health. The frequency of episodes varies from person to person, some have multiple episodes within a day while others may experience episodes rarely. 

 

To raise awareness of Bipolar, 30th March is annually celebrated as World Bipolar Day. 

 

There are various forms of bipolar. Some common types of bipolar are:

 

• Bipolar I disorder. You've had at least one manic episode that may be preceded or followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes. In some cases, mania may trigger a break from reality (psychosis).
• Bipolar II disorder. You've had at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but you've never had a manic episode.
• Cyclothymic disorder. You've had at least two years — or one year in children and teenagers — of many periods of hypomania symptoms and periods of depressive symptoms (though less severe than major depression).

 

Symptoms differ in hypomania and depression. Following are the symptoms of hypomania and depression. 

 

 

Hypomania:

 

• Abnormally upbeat, jumpy or wired
• Increased activity, energy or agitation
• Exaggerated sense of well-being and self-confidence (euphoria)
• Decreased need for sleep
• Unusual talkativeness
• Racing thoughts
• Distractibility
• Poor decision-making — for example, going on buying sprees, taking sexual risks or making foolish investments

 

Depression:

 

• Depressed mood, such as feeling sad, empty, hopeless or tearful (in children and teens, depressed mood can appear as irritability)
• Marked loss of interest or feeling no pleasure in all — or almost all — activities
• Significant weight loss when not dieting, weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite (in children, failure to gain weight as expected can be a sign of depression)
• Either insomnia or sleeping too much
• Either restlessness or slowed behaviour
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
• Decreased ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness
• Thinking about, planning or attempting suicide

 

Bipolar disorder can even affect an individual’s personal life. This includes professional life, relationships, romantic relationships and childrearing. 

Bipolar disorder is normally linked to Childhood Trauma, Stressful Life Events, Brain Chemistry, Family Links and the use of Medication, Drugs and Alcohol

 

Unfortunately, there is no cure for bipolar disorder. Doctors prescribe drugs to control the severity of episodes. 

 

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, feel free to connect to 9152987821, it is a toll-free suicide helpline with speakers fluent in  English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Assamese, Punjabi, and Malayalam.

 

Filaantro understands the severity of mental health issues and has conducted numerous sessions in schools to educate children about mental health.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Make sure to share it with all your friends and family members to educate them about bipolar disorder. Keep checking this space for more such blogs in the future. 

AUTHOR: Adil Sayyad