His laughter and tears 😥: Things you didn't know about bipolar disorder

One day, while I was in the hospital cafeteria, my school friend Rohan saw me and spoke to me. Rohan is now a talented computer engineer. Since we had met after a long time, we talked about a lot of information. But after a while, I noticed a great deal of concern on Rohan's face.

"Dr. Priya, I want to ask you something about my girlfriend Aditi. We are planning to get married. But recently, her behavior has been a big problem for me," Rohan said. "Some days, she is incredibly happy and very active. She sleeps all night, planning new projects, spending money, and going on trips. But suddenly, from the next week, she does not even come out of her room, does not talk to anyone, and constantly cries and is alone. I thought this was due to the hormonal changes that girls go through during their periods. Should I show her to a VOG or an endocrinologist?"

I placed a hand on Rohan's shoulder and calmly said, "Rohan, this could be more serious than a hormonal issue like you think. The symptoms you described indicate that Aditi may be suffering from a mental illness called Bipolar Disorder . Let's talk about this simply today."

🚨 Red Flags that require immediate medical attention

As bipolar disorder worsens, the patient may harm themselves or society, so psychiatric treatment should be provided immediately if the following symptoms appear:

• Having thoughts of suicide, attempting to harm oneself, or talking about it frequently (Suicidal Ideation).
• Spending all of one's savings recklessly or engaging in risky behaviors such as driving at high speeds.
• Delusions - thinking you have powers you don't have (delusions) or seeing things and hearing sounds that others can't see (hallucinations).
• Not sleeping at all for several days and behaving extremely violently.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that dramatically alters a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. The sufferer alternates between two extremes of emotion (bipolar) that are more intense than the normal range of happiness or sadness.

There are two main stages of this condition:

1. Manic/Hypomanic Episode:

Here the patient feels an unusually high level of happiness, energy, and optimism. There are two main levels:

• Mania: This is the most severe phase of bipolar I disorder. The patient may talk excessively fast, not be able to sleep, and act out of touch with reality.
• Hypomania: This is a milder form of bipolar II disorder. Here, the patient is still happy and active, but it does not severely interfere with daily life.

2. Depressive Episode:

After the mania phase ends, the patient suddenly experiences a severe depression. Here:

• Feelings of constant sadness, emptiness, and hopelessness.
• The body feels lifeless and extremely tired.
• No interest in any previously enjoyed outdoor activities.
• Excessive sleeping or insomnia occurs.

The relationship between hormones and bipolar disorder

Many people think that hormonal changes caused by women's monthly menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause are the cause of this disease.

But hormones do not directly cause bipolar disorder. However, hormonal fluctuations in the body can cause mood swings in women with bipolar disorder to be more rapid. This is called rapid cycling . This is why it is essential to see a psychiatrist rather than a VOG.

Successful treatments for bipolar disorder

Although this is a lifelong condition, with the right treatment, the patient has the full potential to control the symptoms and live a normal, healthy life:

• Pharmacotherapy: Psychiatrists prescribe mood stabilizers (medicines such as antidepressants) , antipsychotics , and sometimes antidepressants to balance brain chemistry.
• Psychotherapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches the patient to control negative thoughts and behaviors. Furthermore, IPSRT (Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy) trains the patient to maintain regular sleep, meal, and exercise routines.
• Supplements like Omega-3: Some research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may help manage bipolar depression, but you should not take any supplements without medical advice.

Do's & Don'ts

Scientific sources (References)

• 📚 Bipolar disorder - NHS
• 📚 Bipolar depression: a review of treatment options - PMC