Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a challenging mental health condition that typically requires multiple treatment modalities. While nearly six million Americans have bipolar disorder, every person living with the condition has had their own variations of symptoms and experiences with it. Due to the complexities of bipolar disorder, it wasn’t until recent decades that evidence-based treatments became available. At Empowered Recovery, we are committed to providing exceptional bipolar treatment in Kansas City.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes intense mood changes, resulting in extreme highs and lows. These unusual shifts in mood cause significant fluctuations in a person’s energy, activity levels, and concentration. Bipolar disorder also affects specific areas of the brain responsible for stress management and emotional processing. Therefore, people with untreated bipolar disorder often struggle to maintain consistency in their daily lives.

Furthermore, bipolar disorder reduces executive function, the set of skills used in flexible thinking, memory, and self-control. Executive function allows us to plan ahead and maintain focus. This reduction of executive function was found to be most significant during bipolar manic episodes, which are episodes of unusually high mood and accelerated energy.

While the exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, the psychiatric community agrees there is a genetic connection. Those who have an immediate family member with the condition are more likely to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Also, there are other possible risk factors for the disorder, such as childhood trauma and stressful life events.

3 Types of Bipolar Disorder

When learning about bipolar disorder, it is important to understand the three types and their associated symptoms:

Bipolar l Disorder
Bipolar ll Disorder
Cyclothymic Disorder

Bipolar l Disorder

Bipolar l disorder is defined as having at least one manic episode. A manic episode is characterized by at least seven consecutive days of experiencing extreme increases in energy paired with out-of-character behavior.

Characteristics of a Manic Episode

Decreased need for sleep
Distractibility
Impulsivity or increased risky behavior
Racing thoughts
Increased talkativeness or faster speech

During a manic episode, behavioral changes are significant and noticeable to friends and family. Since these symptoms last for at least one week, those experiencing a manic episode are rarely able to continue their routine activities. Patients usually require hospitalization to maintain their safety and stabilize their moods.

Although bipolar l disorder is defined by at least one manic episode, it does not exclude depressive episodes or neutral behavior. Most people with bipolar l disorder also experience periods of neutral mood, and they may experience depressive episodes as well.

Bipolar ll Disorder

Bipolar ll disorder is diagnosed when a person has not had a manic episode but has had at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode (a less severe form of a manic episode). Each of these episodes lasts for a minimum duration of time to be classified as symptoms of bipolar ll disorder. Hypomanic episodes last for at least four days, and major depressive episodes last for at least two weeks.

What is a Hypomanic Episode?

A hypomanic episode is characterized by at least four days of less intense manic-like symptoms, such as high energy and mild impulsivity. Hypomanic episode symptoms are milder than those of a manic episode and resolve more quickly.

Furthermore, hypomanic symptoms are mild enough that a person’s routines and daily functions are usually not hindered. Instead, a hypomanic episode may cause someone to be abnormally upbeat with a temporary sense of euphoria.

Since hypomanic episodes are less severe than mania, bipolar ll disorder can be less recognizable and harder to diagnose. While a hypomanic episode is less intense than a manic episode, both are known to cause a person to have extra energy and feel like they don’t need as much sleep.

What is a Major Depressive Episode?

A major depressive episode is characterized by symptoms of major depression that last for a period of two weeks or longer. These episodes should be taken seriously with the counsel of a mental health professional. Additionally, these episodes will require emergency care if a person develops thoughts of suicide. It is essential to recognize that these thoughts are often caused by chemical imbalances that a person needs medical help to manage.

Those having a major depressive episode may experience these symptoms of depression:

Fatigue
Sleep changes
Apathy- loss of interest in usual activities
Irritability or agitation
Depressed mood, sadness, and hopelessness
Changes in eating habits
Feelings of guilt, shame, or low self-esteem
Difficulty concentrating
Suicidal thoughts

A Myth About Bipolar l and Bipolar ll Disorders

A common misconception is that bipolar ll disorder is just a milder form of bipolar l, but this is incorrect. Although bipolar l disorder causes more impulsivity and reckless behavior, the depressive episodes in bipolar ll are often longer and more severe than depressive episodes in bipolar l. Understandably, a major depressive episode can significantly impact a person’s life and present risks of its own. Therefore, it is best to view bipolar l and ll as different diagnoses, requiring customized treatment for each. At Empowered Recovery, our experienced team provides individualized care during outpatient bipolar treatment in Kansas City.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Cyclothymic disorder is a milder form of bipolar disorder characterized by frequent mood swings, hypomania, and depressive symptoms. This type of bipolar disorder still causes emotional ups and downs. However, people experience them in fewer extremes than they would with bipolar l and bipolar ll disorder.

Cyclothymic disorder is characterized by experiencing both hypomanic and depressive symptoms on many occurrences over a duration of at least two years. People with cyclothymic disorder may experience brief periods of normal mood, but these periods last fewer than eight weeks.

How is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed?

Since other health conditions can cause mood fluctuations similar to bipolar disorder, a physician will first recommend diagnostics to rule those out. If the medical team does not find any underlying cause for extreme mood changes, a patient will usually be referred to a psychiatrist for a psychological evaluation.

During this evaluation, the psychiatrist may use mood charting to help a person track their moods and sleep patterns. After enough information is gathered to make an assessment, the psychiatrist may compare symptoms with the criteria for bipolar disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

It is normal to feel nervous about this process, but getting a proper diagnosis can be life-changing. Whether a person has bipolar disorder or another condition, no one should have to struggle with these symptoms indefinitely. With proper management, people with bipolar disorder can find a healthy balance in their lives.

Treatment Methods for Bipolar Disorder

Evidence-based treatment for bipolar disorder involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This is a form of talk therapy that helps people to understand their emotions and ways to identify and cope with mood changes. A 2017 study demonstrated that CBT was associated with better patient outcomes for those with bipolar disorder, including increased medication compliance and reduced relapses. At Empowered Recovery, we specialize in treating mental health conditions. During our outpatient bipolar treatment in Kansas City, we implement a combination of therapy and medical management for bipolar disorder.

Additionally, bipolar disorder is treated with medications to help manage symptoms. While these medications will vary depending on other existing conditions and the type of bipolar disorder, they can be highly effective in reducing symptoms. The most commonly used medications are mood stabilizers and those that help with anxiety and sleep problems.