However, with a good treatment plan including psychotherapy, medications, a healthy lifestyle, a regular schedule and early identification of symptoms, many people live well with the condition. Symptoms and their severity can vary.
A person with bipolar disorder may have distinct manic or depressed states but may also have extended periods—sometimes years—without symptoms. A person can also experience both extremes simultaneously or in rapid sequence.
Severe bipolar episodes of mania or depression may include psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. People with bipolar disorder who have psychotic symptoms can be wrongly diagnosed as having schizophrenia. To be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a person must have experienced at least one episode of mania or hypomania. People with hypomania can often function well in social situations or at work.
Some people with bipolar disorder will have episodes of mania or hypomania many times throughout their life; others may experience them only rarely. Moods can rapidly become more irritable, behavior more unpredictable and judgment more impaired. During periods of mania, people frequently behave impulsively, make reckless decisions and take unusual risks. Most of the time, people in manic states are unaware of the negative consequences of their actions.
With bipolar disorder, suicide is an ever-present danger because some people become suicidal even in manic states. The lows of bipolar depression are often so debilitating that people may be unable to get out of bed. Typically, people experiencing a depressive episode have difficulty falling and staying asleep, while others sleep far more than usual. When people are depressed, even minor decisions such as what to eat for dinner can be overwhelming.
They may become obsessed with feelings of loss, personal failure, guilt or helplessness; this negative thinking can lead to thoughts of suicide. Depression associated with bipolar disorder may be more difficult to treat and require a customized treatment plan. Scientists have not yet discovered a single cause of bipolar disorder. Currently, they believe several factors may contribute, including:. To diagnose bipolar disorder, a doctor may perform a physical examination, conduct an interview and order lab tests.
While bipolar disorder cannot be seen on a blood test or body scan, these tests can help rule out other illnesses that can resemble the disorder, such as hyperthyroidism.
If no other illnesses or medicines such as steroids are causing the symptoms, the doctor may recommend mental health care. To determine what type of bipolar disorder a person has, mental health care professionals assess the pattern of symptoms and how impaired the person is during their most severe episodes. The largest research project to assess what treatment methods work for people with bipolar disorder is the Systematic Treatment Enhancement for Bipolar Disorder , otherwise known as Step-BD.
A diagnosis of bipolar disorder I involves either one or more manic episodes, or mixed manic and depressive episodes. It may also include a major depressive episode, but it may not.
A diagnosis of bipolar II involves one or more major depressive episodes and at least one episode of hypomania. To be diagnosed with a manic episode, you must experience symptoms that last for at least one week or that cause you to be hospitalized. You must experience symptoms almost all day every day during this time. Major depressive episodes, on the other hand, must last for at least two weeks.
Bipolar disorder can be difficult to diagnose because mood swings can vary. This age group often has greater changes in mood, behavior, and energy levels. Episodes may happen more often or become more extreme. Therefore, diagnosis is very important. See how bipolar disorder is diagnosed. Instead, your doctor will use several tests and exams. These may include:. Your doctor may use other tools and tests to diagnose bipolar disorder in addition to these.
Read about other tests that can help confirm a bipolar disorder diagnosis. Several treatments are available that can help you manage your bipolar disorder. These include medications, counseling, and lifestyle changes. Some natural remedies may also be helpful.
Recommended medications may include:. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of talk therapy. You and a therapist talk about ways to manage your bipolar disorder. They will help you understand your thinking patterns. They can also help you come up with positive coping strategies.
You can connect to a mental health care professional in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool. Psychoeducation is a kind of counseling that helps you and your loved ones understand the disorder. Knowing more about bipolar disorder will help you and others in your life manage it. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy IPSRT focuses on regulating daily habits, such as sleeping, eating, and exercising.
Balancing these everyday basics can help you manage your disorder. Other lifestyle changes can also help relieve depressive symptoms caused by bipolar disorder. Check out these seven ways to help manage a depressive episode. Some natural remedies may be helpful for bipolar disorder. The following herbs and supplements may help stabilize your mood and relieve symptoms of bipolar disorder:. Several other minerals and vitamins may also reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder affects about 60 million people around the world. One of the best things you can do is to educate yourself and those around you. There are many resources available. You can also find additional resources at the site for the National Institute of Mental Health. If you think a friend, relative, or loved one may have bipolar disorder, your support and understanding is crucial.
And read how to help someone living with bipolar disorder. People who are experiencing a depressive episode may have suicidal thoughts. You should always take any talk of suicide seriously. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline.
Try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at When it comes to managing a relationship while you live with bipolar disorder, honesty is the best policy. Bipolar disorder can have an impact on any relationship in your life, perhaps especially on a romantic relationship.
Consider sharing these facts to help your partner better understand the condition:. One of the best ways to support and make a relationship successful is to stick with your treatment. Treatment helps you reduce symptoms and scale back the severity of your changes in mood. With these aspects of the disorder under control, you can focus more on your relationship.
Your partner can also learn ways to promote a healthy relationship. Check out this guide to maintaining healthy relationships while coping with bipolar disorder, which has tips for both you and your partner. Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness. Treatment can help you manage your changes in mood and cope with your symptoms. To get the most out of treatment, you may want to create a care team to help you. In addition to your primary doctor, you may want to find a psychiatrist and psychologist.
You may also want to seek out a supportive community. Finding treatments that work for you requires perseverance. Likewise, you need to have patience with yourself as you learn to manage bipolar disorder and anticipate your changes in mood.
If you have bipolar disorder, you may also have another health condition that needs to be treated along with bipolar disorder.
Some conditions can worsen bipolar disorder symptoms or make treatment less successful. Examples include:. There's no sure way to prevent bipolar disorder. However, getting treatment at the earliest sign of a mental health disorder can help prevent bipolar disorder or other mental health conditions from worsening.
If you've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, some strategies can help prevent minor symptoms from becoming full-blown episodes of mania or depression:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs mania or hypomania and lows depression.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Reilly-Harrington NA et al. Journal of Affective Disorders. Bipolar and related disorders. Arlington, Va. Accessed Dec. Bipolar disorder. National Institute of Mental Health.
Bipolar disorder in children and teens. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Rochester, Minn. Suppes T, et al. Bipolar disorder in adults: Clinical features. Axelson D, et al. Pediatric bipolar disorder: Overview of choosing treatment. Birmaher B. Pediatric bipolar disorder: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and course. Picardi A, et al. Psychotherapy of mood disorders. Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health.
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