Are your mood changes more than ordinary ups and downs? What doctors want you to know about bipolar disorder
Many people don't recognize the symptoms of bipolar disorder, and getting a diagnosis can take time. Here's what to look out for and what to do next.
Amy Mica Marsden
Words: Amy Mica Marsden. Images: Shutterstock
It is thought that between 1% and 5% of people have bipolar disorder worldwide. This means, statistically, you’re likely to know at least one person with it — or you could have it yourself.
But do you know the signs and symptoms of this disorder? According to a recent survey, nearly two-thirds of people don’t — which means you could be suffering without even realizing it.
Bipolar disorder charity Bipolar UK is on a mission to raise awareness and help people recognise symptoms, to reduce the number of people living undiagnosed.
Simon Kitchen, CEO of the charity, said: ‘By getting people who are struggling with their mental health to consider that ‘maybe it’s bipolar?’ we are supporting them to take the first step on the journey to diagnosis so they can get the treatment and support they need to live well.’
The wait for diagnosis
The average wait time for getting a bipolar diagnosis is 5 to 7 years in the US, and 9.5 years in the UK — but the Bipolar Commission has found that the earlier someone with bipolar gets diagnosed, the better their outcome. However, the average age for diagnosis has actually increased over the last 30 years, rising from 26 to 34.
‘While it might feel scary to consider that you have bipolar,’ says Deputy CEO of Bipolar UK, Rosie Philips, ‘the reality is that with the right support, medication and lifestyle changes, you can live a great life and pursue the career path and opportunities you’d like to.’
That’s why it’s crucial to learn the different types and what symptoms to look out for.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is generally categorized as a severe mental illness, presenting as extreme mood swings and changes in energy levels. People with the disorder tend to experience periods of low mood and depression, as well as periods of high mood or mania/hypomania. These mood swings can be long or short, but are often extreme. The disorder also tends to run in families.
While not all doctors and researchers agree on how to categorize them, it’s generally thought that there are not one but three common types of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar type 1
Type 1 means that a person ‘has had at least one episode of mania (sometimes with psychosis) that lasts longer than a week’, according to Bipolar UK. Mania, or a manic episode, is a period of abnormally high mood often coupled with extremely high energy and increased activity, and a lower need for sleep. It can come with increased confidence, risky and impulsive behavior, and in severe cases, psychosis.
Without treatment, a manic episode could last between three and six months. Nine in ten people with type 1 will also go through periods of depression, with low energy and a loss of interest in activity.
Bipolar type 2
Type 2 means that someone ‘has had at least one period of severe depression and at least one period of hypomania that lasted longer than four days, but not symptoms of mania.’
Hypomania is a stage of persistent elevated mood and energy, but is not as extreme or intense as a full manic episode — however, if left unchecked, symptoms can worsen and lead to mania.
People with this type tend to experience more frequent occurrences of low mood, which may last longer. They may also experience more episodes of both hypomania and depression than someone with bipolar type 1.
Cyclothymia
If you experience regular episodes of hypomania and depression for at least two years, but the highs and lows have not been extreme enough to meet the full criteria for bipolar disorder, it could be cyclothymia.
While episodes are not as intense or severe, it is still important to get checked and diagnosed, as cyclothymia can develop into bipolar disorder.
What to do next
If any of the above symptoms sound familiar, whether it’s about yourself or a loved one, you can take a free bipolar test with Bipolar UK here, or with Mental Health America here. While not an official diagnosis, the results can help you figure out the next steps you may need to take.
If you think you may have bipolar or cyclothymia, it’s important to book an appointment with your primary care provider or GP to discuss diagnosis. It may help to keep a diary of your mood in the meantime, and to note any changes in sleep and energy. This can be useful to bring to your doctor, so that they can easily see the cycle of your symptoms.
