Have you ever noticed a big change in the behavior of a family member, friend, or loved one and wondered, "Why is he acting this way? What's going on?" Sometimes these changes are too complex for us to understand. That's because the symptoms of some mental illnesses are very similar. Two mental illnesses that are so easy to confuse are bipolar disorder and schizophrenia , or as we call it, schizophrenia. Both are illnesses that affect the way a person thinks and behaves. But there are big differences between the two. Let's talk about this in simple terms today.
What kind of condition is Bipolar Disorder?
Simply put, Bipolar Disorder is a condition characterized by extreme highs and lows in a person's mood and energy levels. It's like riding a roller coaster. At one point, your mood and energy levels are skyrocketing, and at another, they're plummeting. These highs and lows can make it difficult to even complete daily tasks.
In this situation, two main moods can be experienced:
1. Manic Episode : During this time, you feel incredibly happy, active, and energetic. You feel like you can conquer the world.
2. Depressive Episode: This is the opposite of the manic episode. That is, extreme sadness, hopelessness, and a feeling of not being able to do anything.
There are two main types of bipolar disorder, which differ in the intensity and duration of the manic state.
- Bipolar I Disorder : This is a severe form of mania (full-blown mania). During this time, you may be impulsive, reckless, and prone to risky behavior.
- Bipolar II Disorder: This is a period of mania that is less severe, more like a "low mood." We call this hypomania . You still feel happy and energetic during this period, but it doesn't affect your daily life as severely as Bipolar I.
The most important thing is that when Bipolar Disorder becomes severe, some people may start to see or hear things that are not really there (hallucinations). They may also start to believe things that are not really there (delusions). That's when there is a lot of confusion about whether this is Schizophrenia.
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What is the condition called schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a condition that affects thoughts and perception of reality more than mood. Although mood problems may occur, they are not the primary feature of the disease. In this condition, the brain's sensory processing is not working properly, making it difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is not.
Here are some of the main symptoms:
- Hallucinations: Seeing, hearing (especially voices, like someone talking), feeling, or smelling things that are not really there.
- Delusions: Thoughts that are not true, but are strongly believed. For example, believing that someone is trying to harm you, controlling you, or that the secret police are after you.
- Disorganized thinking and speech: Thoughts are disorganized. When speaking, they jump from one idea to another, making it difficult for the listener to understand what is being said.
- Unusual behavior and movements: Things like screaming for no reason, moving your body in strange ways, and staying in the same position for a long time.
- Negative symptoms: This refers to the loss of things that are normally present in a person.
- Not getting pleasure from things that used to bring joy.
- Withdrawing from society, preferring to be alone.
- Lack of care for personal cleanliness.
- Showing no emotion on the face (flat affect) and maintaining a monotone voice.
What is the reason for confusing these two diseases?
As you can see, hallucinations and delusions, which occur when bipolar disorder is severe, are also the main symptoms of schizophrenia. When distinguishing between the two, a doctor mainly looks at the pattern of symptoms.
In bipolar disorder, these delusions and beliefs occur during periods of mania or depression. These symptoms disappear during normal periods when those moods are not present. However, in schizophrenia, these delusions and beliefs can persist even when the mood is normal.
What are the causes of these diseases?
The exact cause of both diseases is still unknown, but scientists believe that a combination of factors may be involved.
Causes of Bipolar Disorder
- Brain structure and chemicals: It has been found that people with the disease have differences in the structure of the brain and the function of neurotransmitters (chemicals that carry messages between brain cells).
- Genes: If someone in your family has the disease, you are at slightly higher risk of developing it too. This means there is a genetic influence.
- Severe stress: A severe traumatic event, such as the death of a loved one, can trigger the onset of bipolar symptoms for the first time.
Causes of schizophrenia
- Brain structure and chemicals: As with bipolar, changes in brain structure and neurotransmitters are involved.
- Drug use: The use of certain mind-altering drugs during youth may be a cause of the disease.
- Prenatal problems: There are theories that things like the mother not receiving proper nutrition during pregnancy or being exposed to a viral infection increase the risk of schizophrenia in the child.
- Immune system: Some research suggests that an overactive immune system (such as autoimmune disease) may also be a risk factor.
How is it treated?
Both of these conditions require lifelong treatment. It is important to continue treatment as directed by your doctor, even if your symptoms improve.
Bipolar Disorder:
Medications such as mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and sometimes antidepressants are mainly used. In addition, talk therapy or counseling is very important to understand and manage the disease.
Schizophrenia:
The main treatment is antipsychotics, which balance the chemical processes in the brain. It can take some time to find the right medication and dosage for you. In addition, you may need counseling, social skills training, family support, and help finding and keeping a job to help you with everyday life.
Most importantly: If you or someone close to you has these symptoms, do not self-diagnose online. Be sure to see a qualified doctor or psychiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Take-Home Message
- Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness characterized by extreme mood swings. Schizophrenia is a mental illness characterized by problems with thinking and perceiving reality .
- The symptoms of both diseases (especially hallucinations and delusions) can be similar, so only a qualified doctor can differentiate between the two.
- Both of these diseases can be successfully managed with medication and talk therapy (counseling).
- If someone in your family or friend has this condition, your support and understanding are very important to them.
- There is no shame in seeking help for a mental illness. It is a condition that requires treatment, just like a physical illness. The most important thing is to ask for help at the right time.
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