In qualitative research (using surveys and focus groups), people with bipolar disorder talked about over-spending, impulse shopping and being excessively generous with money when in hypomanic or manic episodes.
A Cycle of Anxiety and Spending. Research has found that bipolar disorder often causes financial difficulties. For example, one study published in 2018 in the Journal of Mental Health uncovered a vicious cycle of poor mental health and compulsive buying.
#1 Bank On It
Consider setting up email notifications to a trusted person in case of any unusual activity. Establish a separate account for personal expenses, and keep just enough funds in it for one month. If you opt for a debit card, make sure it's set up to deny any overdraft spending.
During a manic episode, people with bipolar disorder may have an inflated self-esteem, less of an urge to sleep, and they may be easily distracted. They also may be more likely to engage in risky behavior, according to the American Psychiatric Association—and for some, that includes spending impulsively.
The known maladaptive types of coping mechanisms, or negative coping skills, evident in BD patients are “… rumination, catastrophism, self-blame, substance use, risk-taking, behavioral disengagement, problem-direct coping, venting of emotions, or mental disengagement” (Apaydin & Atagun, 2018).
You may also suffer from delusions or hallucinations that could make you take risks you wouldn't normally take. One of the hallmark signs of mania is impaired judgment. This causes you to participate in extremely risky or dangerous behaviors. You do things without even considering the consequences of your actions.
As with many emotions, however, people with bipolar disorder appear to be more vulnerable to extreme reactions. “Everyone can become frustrated or angry, but loss of control can be part and parcel of bipolar disorder rage,” says Jeffrey Borenstein, MD, president and CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.
Messiness as a sign of an episode of mania
You could also experience low impulse control, which could lead to overspending in some people. Overspending may result in a lot of purchases that you may not have room for at home. In turn, this could lead to cluttering.
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.
Manic splurges often entail emptied wallets, depleted savings, and mounting debts. These personal stories and financial tips can help you to manage your money and your mood. During the highs of bipolar disorder, money can seem limitless and the desire to spend it feels urgent and wise.
Additionally, mean annual household income for patients with bipolar disorder was $43,662, compared with $96,319 in the general population.
If you have bipolar disorder, it doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to go on and develop a social anxiety disorder or have problems socially, but the chances are higher and social anxiety has been linked to bipolar disorder.
Dealing with the ups and downs of bipolar disorder can be difficult—and not just for the person with the illness. The moods and behaviors of a person with bipolar disorder affect everyone around—especially family members and close friends. It can put a strain on your relationship and disrupt all aspects of family life.
People living with or caring for someone with bipolar disorder can have a tough time. During episodes of illness, the personalities of people with bipolar disorder may change, and they may become abusive or even violent. Sometimes social workers and the police may become involved.
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 may make it more difficult for you to interpret people's emotions. Missed clues make it harder for you to empathize when others feel happy or sad. If someone is feeling troubled, you may lack enough empathy to be moved to help.
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.
One of the worst side effects of bipolar disorder is the repetitive cycle of self-sabotage. But you can manage this symptom by mapping out your goals.
Grandiosity and overconfidence. Easy tearfulness, frequent sadness. Needing little sleep to feel rested. Uncharacteristic impulsive behavior.
Does bipolar disorder affect intelligence? No, bipolar disorder doesn't seem to impact your intelligence, but it can affect some aspects of your cognition. As the table above explains, there's a difference between cognition and intelligence. They're related, though.
Here are some reasons why people with bipolar push others away: They don't want to burden people with their problems. The inside of a bipolar mind can be a dark place sometimes. It's common for people with bipolar to worry that their problems are going to bring people down.
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.