Fatigue is a common symptom of bipolar disorder, often making it difficult to function in everyday life. While there's no one-size-fits-all approach to reducing fatigue, there are several strategies that may help you cope.
You can feel exhausted because you have no energy and you're struggling with sleep. But fatigue can also be a problem during mania. Your racing mind can bring insomnia. It takes a long time to recover from mania, so you can feel physically and emotionally drained during the recovery, as well.
Lethargy or excess fatigue is an official symptom of both bipolar and depression. No matter its cause, exhaustion can be a real challenge. Here are some ways to restore the pep in your step!
Grandiosity and overconfidence. Easy tearfulness, frequent sadness. Needing little sleep to feel rested. Uncharacteristic impulsive behavior.
The symptoms resulting from bipolar depression and manic or hypomanic episodes may eventually lead to muscle weakness and other musculoskeletal problems. Your muscles may weaken if you don't eat well for long periods.
Bipolar makes us feel things in extremes—and often causes us to be labeled as “too intense” or “too sensitive.”
My short answer is: Yes, a person who lives with bipolar disorder can certainly be truly happy. But I think I can understand the concerns behind the question. If you have experienced disruptive or dangerous episodes of mania, you may worry that feeling happy is just a first step toward another damaging episode.
During the highs of bipolar disorder (periods of mania), you may be so aroused that you can go for days without sleep without feeling tired the next day. For three out of four people with bipolar disorder, sleep problems are the most common signal that a period of mania is about to occur.
According to Dr. Pamela Peeks, “those with bipolar disorder are believed to have lower levels of the chemical messenger serotonin, which can spark a craving for carbs and sweets.” She further explains that bipolar disorder has a positive correlation to stress, which can cause an increase in the hormone cortisol.
Yes, bipolar disorder can cause significant changes to sleep patterns. For instance, there is a decreased need for sleep with mania, which can cause a person to skip rest. With depressive episodes, people may find they are sleeping much more or much less than usual.
Bipolar disorder is characterised by extreme mood swings. These can range from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows (depression). Episodes of mania and depression often last for several days or longer.
The disorder can also lead to impulsive spending sprees, usually during an episode of mania. During an episode of mania, you will likely feel energized and powerful.
Bipolar disorder can cause a lack of empathy, but symptoms may also make it more challenging to focus on the feelings of others. While there is no medication to improve empathy, treating bipolar disorder can help. Introspection, guided emotional learning, and observing emotions in others may also help build empathy.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that can result in extreme shifts in mood. As this may affect how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, it may present challenges that can make it difficult to maintain friendships.
Anger is not an emotion that people typically associate with the up and down moods of bipolar disorder. Studies show, however, that individuals with this condition do experience more anger and aggression, and that these feelings are most intense during acute mood episodes.
No two people with bipolar disorder share the same thoughts or experiences, but there are some common thought patterns among most folks who have it. This includes cyclical thinking, manic and/or depressive episodes, suicidal ideation, and psychosis.
A “bipolar meltdown” is, much like “bipolar anger,” a very stigmatizing phrase, and not something that really exists. The phrase “bipolar meltdown” could refer to a bipolar person having a manic episode or being in a depressed state.
Don't take comments or behavior personally. During periods of high energy, a person often says and does things that he or she would not usually say or do. This can include focusing on negative aspects of others. If needed, stay away from the person and avoid arguments.
Left untreated, bipolar disorder can result in serious problems that affect every area of your life, such as: Problems related to drug and alcohol use. Suicide or suicide attempts. Legal or financial problems.