What is bipolar disorder?
We all have our ups and downs, but with bipolar disorder (once known as manic depression or manic-depressive disorder) these peaks and valleys are more severe. Bipolar disorder causes serious shifts in mood, energy, thinking, and behavior—from the highs of mania on one extreme, to the lows of depression on the other. More than just a fleeting good or bad mood, the cycles of bipolar disorder last for days, weeks, or months. And unlike ordinary mood swings, the mood changes of bipolar disorder are so intense that they can interfere with your job or school performance, damage your relationships, and disrupt your ability to function in daily life.
During a manic episode, you might impulsively quit your job, charge up huge amounts on credit cards, or feel rested after sleeping two hours. During a depressive episode, you might be too tired to get out of bed, and full of self-loathing and hopelessness over being unemployed and in debt.
The causes of bipolar disorder aren’t completely understood, but it often appears to be hereditary. The first manic or depressive episode of bipolar disorder usually occurs in the teenage years or early adulthood. The symptoms can be subtle and confusing; many people with bipolar disorder are overlooked or misdiagnosed—resulting in unnecessary suffering.
One-minute self-test: Do you have bipolar disorder?
The following bipolar disorder test is based on the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) designed to identify mood symptoms often found in bipolar disorder. It can be a useful screening tool for adults and adolescents aged 12 and above. While no test can replace a medical diagnosis, taking this short quiz may help you decide if you should speak to a mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Answer the following 15 questions, choosing the most appropriate response. It’s not just your total score that’s important, but also the specific questions you answer with a “Yes”.
1. Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and you felt so good or so hyper that other people thought you were not your normal self, or you were so hyper that you got into trouble?
Yes (1 point) No (0 points)
2. Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and you were so irritable that you shouted at people or started fights or arguments?
Yes (1 point) No (0 points)
3. Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and you felt much more self-confident than usual?
Yes (1 point) No (0 points)
4. Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and you got much less sleep than usual and found you didn’t really miss it?
Yes (1 point) No (0 points)
5. Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and you were much more talkative or spoke faster than usual?
Yes (1 point) No (0 points)
6. Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and thoughts raced through your head or you couldn’t slow your mind?
Yes (1 point) No (0 points)
7. Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and you were so easily distracted by things around you that you had trouble concentrating or staying on track?
Yes (1 point) No (0 points)
8. Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and you had much more energy than usual?
Yes (1 point) No (0 points)
9. Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and you were much more active or did many more things than usual?
Yes (1 point) No (0 points)
10. Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and you were much more social or outgoing than usual—for example, you telephoned friends in the middle of the night?
Yes (1 point) No (0 points)
11. Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and you were much more interested in sex than usual?
Yes (1 point) No (0 points)
12. Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and you did things that were unusual for you or that other people might have thought were excessive, foolish, or risky?
Yes (1 point) No (0 points)
13. Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and spending money got you or your family into trouble?
Yes (1 point) No (0 points)
14. If you checked YES to more than one of the above, have several of these ever happened during the same period of time?
Yes (1 point) No (0 points)
15. How much of a problem did any of these cause you—like being unable to work, having family, money, or legal troubles, or getting into arguments or fights?
A. No problem (0 points)
B. Minor problem (1 point)
C. Moderate problem (2 points)
D. Serious problem (3 points)
Interpreting your score
- If you scored 7 points or more for questions 1 to 13 AND 1 point (“Yes”) for question 14 AND 2 or 3 points (moderate or serious problem) for question 15: You likely have bipolar disorder.
- If you answered “Yes” to questions 3, 4, 8, 9: You may not recognize any significant negative affects of feeling energetic and extraverted, which itself can be an indicator of bipolar disorder.
- If you answered “Yes” to questions 1, 2, 6, 7, 12, 13: It can also indicate bipolar disorder or another mental health issue such as a personality disorder, PTSD, or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Comprehensive bipolar treatment plan
A comprehensive treatment plan for bipolar disorder aims to relieve symptoms, restore your ability to function, fix problems the illness has caused at home and at work, and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
A comprehensive bipolar treatment plan involves:
Medication. Medication is the cornerstone of bipolar disorder treatment. Taking a mood stabilizing medication can help minimize the highs and lows of bipolar disorder and keep symptoms under control.
Psychotherapy. Therapy is essential for dealing with bipolar disorder and the problems it has caused in your life. Working with a therapist, you can learn how to cope with difficult or uncomfortable feelings, repair your relationships, manage stress, and regulate your mood.
Education. Managing symptoms and preventing complications begins with a thorough knowledge of your illness. The more you and your loved ones know about bipolar disorder, the better able you’ll be able to avoid problems and deal with setbacks.
Lifestyle management. By carefully regulating your lifestyle, you can keep symptoms and mood episodes to a minimum. This involves maintaining a regular sleep schedule, avoiding alcohol and drugs, eating a mood-boosting diet, following a consistent exercise program, minimizing stress, and keeping your sunlight exposure stable year-round.
Support. Living with bipolar disorder can be challenging, and having a solid support system in place can make all the difference in your outlook and motivation. Participating in a bipolar disorder support group gives you the opportunity to share your experiences and learn from others who know what you’re going through. The support of friends and family is also invaluable. Reaching out to people who love you won’t mean you’re a burden to others.
Bipolar disorder supportive therapy
Research indicates that people who take medications for bipolar disorder are more likely to get better faster and stay well if they also receive therapy. Therapy can teach you how to deal with problems your symptoms are causing, including relationship, work, and self-esteem issues. It can also address any other problems you’re struggling with, such as substance abuse or anxiety.
Whether you opt for traditional in-person therapy or online therapy, there are five types of therapy are especially helpful in the treatment of bipolar disorder:
1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
2. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy
3. Family-focused therapy
4. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
5. Psychoeducation for bipolar disorder
in conclusion
Recovering from bipolar disorder doesn’t happen overnight. As with the mood swings of bipolar disorder, treatment has its own ups and downs. Finding the right treatments takes time and setbacks happen. But with careful management and a commitment to getting better, you can get your symptoms under control and live life to the fullest.
