Bipolar Disorder: Know About the Symptoms and Causes

Posted by Dr Anil Yadav on August 27th, 2019

Bipolar disorder refers to a psychiatric illness characterized by sudden, intense and dramatic mood swings. The term bipolar denotes two polar opposite states, which are Depression (a feeling of persistent sadness, guilt, hopelessness, and lack of energy) and Mania (having a lot of energy, agitated and jumpy feeling or irritable and prone to anger). In this article, the causes and common symptoms of a bipolar disorder are discussed. 

Causes of bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder does not have a single cause but can occur due to several factors such as 

Genetic factors

It is common for a person to suffer from bipolar disorder if they have a family member suffering from this condition.

Environmental factors

 A traumatic event,  Abuse, or mental stress is a major contributing factor for triggering a bipolar disorder.

Chemical Imbalances in the Brain

Imbalances in the Neurotransmitters can play an important role in various mood disorders, including bipolar disorder.

Hormonal issues

 Hormonal imbalances can also result in or trigger bipolar disorder.

Following are the common signs and symptoms of a bipolar disorder

• temporary stressful condition

• Changes in behavioral patterns

• A prolong medical condition that can lead to stress and depression

• A mental health condition

 Depression

 A feeling of sadness, loss of interest in daily activities, having little energy are the symptoms all of us are familiar with. Other signs of depression in bipolar disorder may include:

• Feeling upset or tearful

• Forgetting things

• Lack of concentration and motivation

• Sleeping too much or not sleeping enough

• Thinking of death or suicide

 Mania

 Less severe mania is like taking an energy drink. You may think more creatively and you become more of a risk-taker. People with mania not just feel happy, they feel euphoric. Symptoms may include:

• A lot of energy

• A feeling of overconfidence

• Thoughts quickly jumping around

• An inflated sense of self-importance

• Making lots of unrealistic and ambitious plans

• Sudden anger and aggression because of small things. 

 Hypomania

 Mania with less severe symptoms is called hypomania. Symptoms are similar to mania but comparatively less extreme. People with hypomania can function well in their daily life but the prolongation in the condition can still be disruptive. It is important to address the symptoms of hypomania to avoid further progression into a more severe form. Some of the normal behavioral changes include:

• Being more energetic than usual

• Talking faster than usual

• Spending too much money

• Increased willingness to take risks

Psychosis: Severe episodes of mania and depression leads to Psychosis. A person’s thoughts and perceptions are disturbed during this period. Symptoms are:

• Delusions (False belief)

• Hallucinations (hearing or seeing the things which others do not hear or see).

• A sudden response or behavior that is inappropriate for the situation.

• Having difficulty communicating

Mixed states

When the person experiences all the symptoms at the same time, it is called a mixed state bipolar disorder. People having all the signs may experience a highly confusing emotional state. They may fail to find what is happening. This state may also pose a greater risk of suicide attempts.