Bipolar Disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings between high (mania) and low (depression) episodes. Symptoms can cause problems with work or school, relationships, and even suicide.
The symptoms of bipolar disorder vary from person to person and are often hard to explain. If you or a loved one has bipolar disorder, it’s important to learn about the different types of symptoms so you can help the individual manage them.
Mania Symptoms:
In the manic phase of bipolar, an individual will experience feelings of energy and increased activity. They may become hyper-excited, talk very fast, and feel very happy and elated. They will also have grandiose delusions and may believe that they are invincible or able to do things that are impossible.
These feelings of mania can last for days or weeks. They can cause a person to do risky behaviors such as eating or drinking too much, buying too many things, spending money recklessly, and having sexual acts with other people that are out of character. They can also lead to a decrease in the need for sleep.
Irritability Symptoms:
Irritability is another common bipolar disorder symptom, and it can occur at any time during an episode. It’s important to treat this symptom by calming the person down and avoiding stressful situations.
Psychosis Symptoms:
If you or a loved one has bipolar, it’s important to seek medical help as soon as you start to see the signs of psychosis. This is because if you start to see, hear, or think things that don’t happen in reality, it can be dangerous and could lead to harming yourself.
Medication Symptoms:
Medication is a common treatment for bipolar disorder. Medications can help control the highs and lows that come with bipolar, and they can also help you sleep better.
Using medication can be very helpful, but you must always take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Doing this can prevent serious side effects and help the person stay on track with their treatment plan.
Your doctor can give you information about how to use your medications and other ways to help you get the most benefit from them. You can also ask for advice from other people who have bipolar disorder, such as friends and family.
A daily routine is also helpful for someone who has bipolar, as it helps stabilize their moods and reduce their stress. The routine should include regular eating times, physical fitness activities, therapy sessions, and reminders for medicine intake.
Sharing symptoms with others can help the person who has bipolar disorder feel more comfortable and confident about their illness. It can also help other people understand and support the person who has bipolar.
The most important thing to remember when treating a loved one with bipolar disorder is to be understanding, gentle, and compassionate. This is the only way to help your loved one recover from this devastating disorder.
A person with bipolar disorder can live a normal life as long as they get diagnosed and treated. If left untreated, the symptoms of this illness will continue to get worse and cause serious problems with work or school, relationships, and possibly suicide.
