Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder that can cause unpredictable and often extreme mood swings that include emotional highs and lows, referred to as mania and depression. Unlike the typical highs and lows most people experience with life’s ups-and-downs, these mood swings can affect a person’s sleep. They also impact their activity level, decision-making, concentration, and ability to carry out day-to-day life skills.
Bipolar disorder affects millions of American adults and children, who are often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as having depression. Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, you can manage your mood swings and other symptoms with the proper treatment. The experienced mental health professionals at Rose Hill Center are here to provide a full assessment and develop the best bipolar disorder treatment plan for our clients with bipolar disorder. Call us at 866.367.0220 to learn more about our holistic mental health treatment options.
Recognizing Signs of Bipolar Disorder
People with bipolar disorder used to be referred to as being manic-depressive. As mental health professions studied the condition, it was clear that it involved more than mania and depression, so they changed it.
Like many other mental illnesses, bipolar disorder has a variety of symptoms that can vary from person-to-person. Additionally, these symptoms can even vary within the same person, which is part of what makes diagnosing bipolar disorder so complicated. It is also what makes it so difficult for a person with bipolar disorder, or their loved ones, to understand. Some common general symptoms of bipolar disorder can include:
- Manic episodes
- Depressive episodes
- Sleep disturbances
- Uncharacteristic behaviors
- Change in activity level
People who have bipolar disorder will not always be in a manic or depressive state. When not experiencing a manic episode or depressive episode, the person will usually feel and appear normal. This issue is another reason that it can be so tricky to recognize bipolar disorder. This disorder’s unpredictable nature is a key reason the team at Rose Hill Center offers a multi-disciplinary approach to treating bipolar disorder.
What Do Manic and Depressive Episodes Look Like?
Before being correctly diagnosed, individuals with bipolar disorder are often mistakenly thought to have depression. Manic episodes are often confused with ADHD. People with bipolar disorder are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors and are at higher risk for developing substance use disorders, which can also mimic bipolar symptoms.
Keep in mind that the symptoms of bipolar disorder can last for hours, days, or weeks. It’s also important to remember that symptoms can also range from mild to severe. If you question whether you or someone in your life might have bipolar disorder, seeking treatment is always the best option. Still, it can be helpful to be familiar with the signs of both manic and depressive episodes:
Signs of a Manic Episode Include:
- Excessive happiness and excitement
- Sudden changes from being very happy to very irritable
- Showing poor judgment
- Decreased need for sleep
- Making unrealistic or grandiose plans
- Impulsive or risk-taking behaviors
- Rapid speech and lack of concentration
Signs of a Depressive Episode Include:
- Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
- Extreme sadness
- Insomnia
- Significant changes in appetite
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Isolating behaviors
- Uncontrollable crying
Bipolar disorder is challenging for the affected person and their friends and family. However, many treatment options can help individuals with bipolar manage their symptoms to enable them to live a productive and fulfilling life.
Learn More About Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder
Rose Hill Center is a mental health treatment center in Holly, Michigan. Our 400-acre rural campus offers people who have bipolar disorder the opportunity to seek individualized treatment in a supportive environment. Our highly-trained and compassionate team of professionals is here to help you or your loved one learn how to live a productive life without having your symptoms be in control. Call us at 866.367.0220 or use our online form to speak with us about your bipolar disorder treatment.
