Bipolar Disorder Symptoms: What Is Depressive And Manic State?

We frequently hear the term “bipolar” used to describe someone who is a little cranky or experiences frequent mood swings. Is a person with frequent mood swings Bipolar? If not then what is Bipolar? What are its symptoms? and how is it different from mood swings? These are some common questions that arise as soon as we hear the word “Bipolar” what are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder can simply be defined as a mental health condition that includes emotional highs and lows. It was earlier known as Manic Depression. Firstly, in bipolar disorder sudden changes in mood, energy levels, thinking patterns, and behaviour are also observed. 

In bipolar disorder, common emotions become intensely and often unpredictable and magnified. Individuals with bipolar disorder experience a sudden transition between happiness, high energy, and clarity to sadness, fatigue, and confusion. Recurring episodes of depression and mania are common in bipolar disorder. 

“Mania is a condition of heightened mood, emotion, and irritability whereas depression is a condition of persistent low mood, energy, and feelings.”

Bipolar Disorder Meaning: So, bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that causes sudden changes in mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration, and hampers our ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

Types Of Bipolar Disorder

Though clinically Bipolar Disorder is classified into four broad categories:

• Bipolar I
• Bipolar II
• Cyclothymia
• Other related disorders.

Signs And Symptoms

About 46 million people around the world suffer from Bipolar disorder. However, due to ignorance, it is either not detected or is recognised at a late stage. Let’s see what the common symptoms are experienced when an individual is suffering from bipolar disorder. 

Though the disorders are slightly different from each other, they carry some common symptoms. It includes symptoms of mania and depressive episodes:

Signs And Symptoms Of A Manic State	Signs And Symptoms Of Depressive State
The feeling of extreme happiness	The feeling of sadness or hopelessness
Talking faster than normally done	Inability to perform favourite activities.
Feeling of agitation	Low self-esteem
Overconfident	Difficulty in concentrating or focusing
Inability to sleep, Irritation	The disturbing pattern of sleep
Uncontrollable thoughts	Thoughts about death or suicide
Engagement in high-risk behaviours	Irritation

Difference Between Mood Swings And Bipolar Disorder

Mood swings are simply the fluctuations between feeling good and feeling sad. Thus, it is more of a rollercoaster ride between the highs and lows of the mood. Though mood swings are part of bipolar disorder, they are different from each other.

• Normally, mood swings do not affect our daily lives. With these highs and lows of the mood, we can still perform normal activities of daily living. We can go to the office for work, we can go for dinner, we can even hang out with friends or do any other activity of daily life. Whereas in bipolar disorder the intensity of mood swings is very high and it disrupts the daily life activities of the individual as well. 
• When we feel depressed in bipolar we can’t even get out of bed, we feel so sad that we might think about ending our life and if we are happy then we might spend our family fortune or might get into fights unnecessarily. 
• In bipolar disorder, the mood swings are extreme and affect our daily life whereas general mood swings do not disrupt our daily life much. 

Effects Of Bipolar Disorder in Males and Females

There are various factors responsible for bipolar disorder. But the effect and occurrence of bipolar disorder are different in males and females. Bipolar disorder symptoms in females and bipolar disorder symptoms in men actually vary. Thus here are the various studies supporting this statement. 

According to a study by Lesley M. Arnold, women are more likely than men to experience depressive episodes, mixed mania, and quick thinking. Additionally, women are more likely than men to simultaneously experience bipolar illness with thyroid, migraine, obesity, and anxiety condition. Bipolar disorder is much more common in females as compared to males.

Interesting Facts About Bipolar Disorder

• Firstly, bipolar disorder can be genetic.
• Kids can also be diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
• Alcohol and Drugs are also responsible for bipolar disorder. 
• Stressful events can be a cause of bipolar disorder. 
• Also, bipolar disorder is treatable. 
• Causes of bipolar disorder may vary according to gender.
• Bipolar disorder can be of different types depending upon the person.
• Also, bipolar disorder is manageable and people can live a normal life. 
• Apart from this, mood swings are different from bipolar disorder. 

7 Little Changes That Can Make a Big Difference With Your Bipolar Disorder

1. Journalling: Writing down how you feel and under what circumstances.
2. Managing Stress: Practice yoga and meditation.
3. Working on lifestyle improvement: Watch your food and proper sleep.
4. Redirect energy through running or walking.
5. Educate yourself about mental Health.
6. Talk to a professional.
7. Ask for help from family and friends.

Bipolar Disorder and Food – The Relation

As food plays a significant role in our life. The food we eat has an impact on a wide range of factors in our bodies, including physical, psychological, and spiritual factors. Similarly, eating has an impact on bipolar disorder. Numerous research has been conducted to demonstrate that various food kinds have varying impacts on the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder. We can infer that since different foods have an impact on bipolar disorder, they can also be used to manage its symptoms.

Foods To Have

Food that is beneficial for a person suffering from bipolar disorder-

• The food rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and N-acetylcysteine is beneficial in dealing with symptoms of bipolar disorder (Fish, Nuts, etc.). 
• Eating a balanced nutrient-rich diet is also beneficial in reducing the symptoms of bipolar disorder. (
• The ketogenic diet (diet having high protein, high fat, and low carbohydrates) is also beneficial in reducing the symptoms of bipolar disorder. 

Foods To Avoid

Foods that a person with bipolar disorder should avoid include: 

• Food or drinks have high caffeine content. (Coffee)
• Alcohol
• Food or drinks with high sugar content.

Bottom Line

It’s important for us to be observant about our mental health along with physical health. There are various symptoms of bipolar disorder that an individual might think that he or she has but it is really important to draw a line between what it is and what it isn’t. If anyone finds similar symptoms in them then it would be best to consult a professional.

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Disclaimer

This blog is for information purposes only. If you find any of the above symptoms, please contact mental health professionals, or even you can book a consultation with us.