Factors such as stress, poor sleep, and even seasonal changes can play a role in triggering your bipolar symptoms. Learn how you can reduce your risk of bipolar episodes and better manage your condition. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that affects millions of people in the United States.
The 10 Most Common Triggers for Bipolar Mood Episodes. Arguments with your spouse, chilly weather, grief — a number of scenarios may provoke bipolar mania or depression. Certain medications, seasonal changes, and alcohol could trigger bipolar mood episodes, experts say.
Common warning signs of an impending manic episode include the following: Increased energy or a sense of restlessness. Decreased need for sleep. Rapid, pressured speech (cant stop talking)
Because depression is often the first episode of bipolar disorder and early hypomanic episodes are often missed, the diagnosis of patients initially believed to have major depressive disorder may change to bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder can cause your mood to swing from an extreme high to an extreme low. Manic symptoms can include increased energy, excitement, impulsive behaviour, and agitation. Depressive symptoms can include lack of energy, feeling worthless, low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts.
Bipolar disorder can occur at any age, although it often develops between the ages of 15 and 19. Men and women from all backgrounds are equally likely to develop bipolar disorder. The pattern of mood swings in bipolar disorder varies widely.
Irritability and frustration: if you find yourself more easily frustrated or irritated by others, especially over matters or incidents that normally wouldn't bother you, this could be a sign that mania is setting in. Restlessness or fidgety behavior: stop and notice what your body is doing. Are you able to sit still?
Although manic episodes can be severe and by definition are associated with negative consequences, they are also associated with low awareness.
Warning Signs
Just because you're extra-energetic and in a good mood doesn't mean you're starting a manic episode. But be aware of patterns, such as when: You feel you're on top of your life even if it's not really going well. You have anxiety that can't be explained by a stressful event, such as an upcoming exam.
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.
After a manic or hypomanic episode you might: Feel very unhappy or ashamed about how you behaved. Have made commitments or taken on responsibilities that now feel unmanageable. Have only a few clear memories of what happened during your episode, or none at all.
A manic episode — aka mania — is a period of feeling full of energy. You might talk faster than usual, notice your thoughts racing, take on lots of activities, and feel like you don't need as much sleep. A manic episode is a period of extremely energetic, happy, or irritable moods that last for at least a week.
During a euphoric manic episode, eyes may appear bright and open, whereas dysphoric mania narrows them. According to research, dysphoric mania makes people more mean and suspicious, making them narrow/squint their eyes.
So no, not everyone who has bipolar disorder knows they have it. There are lots of reasons why someone with bipolar disorder might not realize it—or why they might deny having it even if they do. If you think someone you know might have untreated bipolar disorder, there are a few things you can do to help.
They can remember the big details—such as, “I had an affair.” But if you press them for the specifics, it's often a fog. In some cases, where the episode is super intense, all memories can be lost. This is especially true if substance abuse or other drugs that cause mania are involved.
You cannot stop a loved one from experiencing a manic episode, but there are actions you can take to support them through it: Minimize stimulation. Encourage them to avoid loud noises, bright lights, and big crowds. Avoid confrontation and don't bring up topics that could lead to conflict.
In a case study of over 200 people with bipolar I disorder, the median length of a manic episode was determined to be 13 weeks. However, bipolar I manic episodes can also be as short as one week. Individuals who seek professional treatment for their symptoms are more likely to experience shorter episodes of mania.
You might experience hypomania or mania on their own. Or you might experience them as a part of a broader mental health problem. For example, bipolar disorder, postpartum psychosis or schizoaffective disorder. Some of us may find episodes of hypomania and mania enjoyable.
Grandiosity and overconfidence. Easy tearfulness, frequent sadness. Needing little sleep to feel rested. Uncharacteristic impulsive behavior.