An estimated 2.3 million Americans struggle with bipolar disorder every year. This significant condition can be difficult to manage.
To help family members or friends with bipolar disorder, it’s essential that you know how to recognize when episodes are occurring, common triggers, and ways to cope with them.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes mood swings that make it difficult for a person to function on a day-to-day basis. It tends to show through an individual’s emotions with either episodes of mania or depressive behavior. While it’s commonly believed these episodes are short lived and rapidly change back and forth, these episodes can actually last for days to weeks at a time.
During a manic episode, someone may make irrational decisions and feel overly excited. A person experiencing mania tends to have high levels of energy and elation, making unrealistic things feel achievable, and could even increase productivity or performance at a given task. However, these can quickly become unrealistic and could lead to delusional ideas and impulsive choices.
Often following these episodes, someone with bipolar disorder may feel depressed and overwhelmed. This brings on heavy sadness, a lack of interest in daily activities, and feelings of misery.
There are three types of bipolar disorder, which include Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, and Cyclothymic Disorder. Professionals generally diagnose people with these conditions during their 20s and have found that these disorders may stem from genetic traits or be based on brain structure.
What’s the difference between mood swings vs. bipolar disorder?
The main contrasts between mood swings and bipolar disorders are typically related to the intensity of emotions and how long they last.
Mood swings can come on suddenly but aren’t extreme and don’t usually last for long periods of time. They’re also less frequent and can be controlled by the individual. A person may be happy at one point but could quickly shift to frustration, irritability, or anger after something happens to them.
On the other hand, bipolar disorder mood changes are much more intense and can be much more difficult for a person to control. Once their mood changes, they may not be able to calm down or find comfort for much longer time periods. These emotions can be either major excitement followed by intense anger or depression.
When someone has a manic episode caused by bipolar disorder, they may feel so elated and excited that they can’t control their body. They could begin speaking very quickly and may not be able to focus on one topic of conversation. Additional signs could include impulsive decisions, getting distracted easily, trouble concentrating, or a higher sex drive.
Once a person with bipolar disorder switches to a depressive episode, their feelings shift to significant sadness and low self-esteem. They’ll quickly lose interest in basic aspects of their life, such as friends, family, or hobbies. It may also cause them to feel lethargic or exhausted throughout the day.
What triggers bipolar mood changes?
There are quite a few things to be aware of when it comes to triggers. The first thing to know is that each person is unique and will experience these symptoms differently. That means someone may respond to situations either positively or negatively based on how a person experiences these symptoms and on how they have learned to manage these symptoms. However, there are some known triggers that may have an impact on these mood changes.
One of the biggest factors that could have a negative effect on a person with bipolar disorder is poor sleep. When someone isn’t getting enough rest at night, they’ll be more prone to depressive symptoms throughout the day.
The heavy emotions that are involved with family members and friends could also be a factor contributing to bipolar disorder mood swings. Whether it is a recent death of a loved one, a failed marriage, or a major argument with a significant other, these situations can lead to intense feelings.
Occurrences of mood swings may also be triggered by:
- Alcohol use
- Drug use
- Antidepressants and other medications
- Seasonal depression
- Postpartum depression
- Financial troubles
How to minimize mood swings in bipolar disorder
There are a handful of ways that friends and family members can help their loved ones avoid and cope with mood swings caused by bipolar disorder. Some of the best strategies you can try:
- Avoid caffeine
- Limit or prevent alcohol use
- Minimize stress
- Follow a structured, daily routine
- Exercise multiple times a week
- Get enough sleep at night (7-9 hours for adults)
Aside from these basic tasks, it is also important for people who have bipolar disorder to get professional care and treatment.
Let Aurora Behavioral Health System Help
The team here at Aurora Behavioral Health System is trained to assist people who struggle with bipolar disorder. Not sure where to start? You aren’t alone. Please get in touch with us today if you or a loved one needs help and support. We will provide a free assessment and help determine if inpatient hospitalization or an outpatient program are the right fit. We’re here to help, each step of the way.