Bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual and dramatic shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, ranging from high highs to low lows.
The condition has two different categories: bipolar I and bipolar II.
Bipolar I is characterised by at least one episode of mania that lasts at least one week with symptoms not related to another medical or mental health condition or substance use.
In bipolar II, there is at least one episode of hypomania lasting four days or longer and involves three or more symptoms.
It can also involve symptoms of psychosis, but only during an episode of depression.
There are 13 hidden signs warning of bipolar disorder.
Causes of bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings.
This mental instability can make it difficult for an individual to carry out day-to-day tasks.
Roughly one in 100 people may live with the condition.
According to the NHS, triggers for bipolar disorder symptoms include:
- Extreme stress
- Overwhelming problems
- Life-changing events
- Genetic and chemical factors.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder
Signs of bipolar disorder include:
- Mania
- Inability to complete tasks
- Complicated sex lives
- Depression
- Irritability
- Rapid speech
- Loss of time
- Trouble at work
- Alcohol or drug misuse
- Erratic behaviour
- Grandiosity
- Sleep problems
- Flight of ideas - talking quickly and erratically while jumping between thoughts.
Differences between men and women
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder later in life, in their 20s or 30s.
They are also mostly diagnosed with bipolar II rather than bipolar I.
Relapses are more common among women, which may be due to hormonal changes related to menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.
For men, diagnoses often come earlier in life and they tend to experience less frequent but more severe episodes or symptoms.
During these episodes, aggression is most common and an accompanying substance abuse is often evident alongside the bipolar condition.
Bipolar in children
The disorder among children remains controversial as symptoms are not always evident until adulthood.
Equally, many of the bipolar disorder symptoms occurring in children often overlap with other health conditions, such as ADHD.
Recently, however, medical professionals have been able to recognise the key differences.
If concerned about your child, it's strongly recommended to speak to a doctor who specialises in this mental health condition.
