Understanding Bipolar Disorder: Causes & Symptoms
Posted: February 1, 2024
Bipolar disorder (previously referred to as “manic depression”) is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings. Someone’s mood can shift from extreme highs (mania or hypomania) to extreme lows (depression). The frequency of these shifts varies from one person to another.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
Researchers are still trying to determine exactly what causes bipolar disorder. With that said, studies suggest that this condition may develop due to genetics or physical changes within the brain.
What Are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder symptoms vary depending on the type of episode that someone is experiencing. For example, when someone is having a manic or hypomanic episode, they may:
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My mission is simple yet profound: to meet each client exactly where they are on their unique mental health journey. Whether it’s battling anxiety, addiction, mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder, or navigating the complexities of thought disorders such as schizophrenia, I believe in starting from a place of empathy and understanding. It’s from this foundation that we can build a strong therapeutic alliance, working together to foster greater mindfulness and self-awareness.
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- Feel euphoric and upbeat
- Be increasingly self-confident
- Have more energy than usual
- Experience racing thoughts
- Get easily distracted
- Become irritated more frequently than usual
- Make poor decisions
- Feel sad, empty, hopeless, guilty, and worthless
- Lose interest in the activities they once enjoyed
- Have unexplained changes in their appetite and weight
- Feel more tired than usual
- Sleep too much or experience insomnia
- Have trouble thinking, concentrating, and making decisions
- Experience suicidal thoughts