Bipolar disorder

This disorder affects about 45 million people worldwide. It typically consists of both manic and depressive episodes separated by periods of normal mood. 

Mania is like the opposite of depression and can vary in intensity – symptoms include feeling great, having lots of energy, having racing thoughts and little need for sleep, talking quickly, having difficulty focusing on tasks, and feeling frustrated and irritable. This is not just a fleeting experience. Sometimes the person loses touch with reality and has episodes of psychosis. Experiencing psychosis involves hallucinations (seeing or hearing something that is not there) or having delusions (e.g. the person believing he or she has superpowers). People who have manic attacks but do not experience depressive episodes are also classified as having bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder seems to be most closely linked to family history. Stress and conflict can trigger episodes for people with this condition and it's not uncommon for bipolar disorder to be misdiagnosed as depression, alcohol or drug abuse, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or schizophrenia.

The high and low phases of bipolar disorder are often so extreme that they interfere with everyday life.

But there are several options for treating bipolar disorder that can make a difference. They aim to control the effects of an episode and help someone with bipolar disorder live life as normally as possible. The following treatment options are available:

  • medicine to prevent episodes of mania and depression – these are known as mood stabilizers, and you take them every day on a long-term basis

  • medicine to treat the main symptoms of depression and mania when they happen

  • learning to recognize the triggers and signs of an episode of depression or mania

  • psychological treatment – such as talking therapy, which can help you deal with depression, and provides advice about how to improve your relationships

  • lifestyle advice – such as doing regular exercise, planning activities you enjoy that give you a sense of achievement, as well as advice on improving your diet and getting more sleep

It's thought using a combination of different treatment methods is the best way to control bipolar disorder.