How does bipolar disorder affect relationships. What are common reasons for bipolar relationship breakups. How can individuals with bipolar disorder maintain healthy relationships. What strategies help cope with a bipolar breakup.

The Impact of Bipolar Disorder on Relationships

Bipolar disorder, characterized by extreme mood swings between manic and depressive episodes, can significantly impact romantic relationships. The unpredictable nature of the condition often leads to challenges in maintaining stable, long-term partnerships. Individuals with bipolar disorder may struggle with impulsivity during manic phases or withdraw during depressive episodes, straining the emotional connection with their partners.

Relationships involving a partner with bipolar disorder often face unique hurdles:

• Mood instability affecting day-to-day interactions
• Impulsive behavior during manic episodes
• Communication difficulties during depressive periods
• Increased stress and emotional burden on the non-bipolar partner
• Challenges in maintaining consistent intimacy and connection

Common Reasons for Bipolar Relationship Breakups

While every relationship is unique, certain factors frequently contribute to the breakdown of relationships involving individuals with bipolar disorder:

1. Emotional exhaustion: The non-bipolar partner may struggle to cope with the constant mood fluctuations.
2. Trust issues: Impulsive actions during manic episodes can lead to broken trust.
3. Financial strain: Excessive spending during manic phases can create significant financial problems.
4. Medication non-compliance: Inconsistent adherence to treatment can exacerbate symptoms and relationship difficulties.
5. Lack of support: Insufficient understanding or support from family and friends can isolate the couple.

Is it possible to maintain a healthy relationship despite these challenges? With proper management of bipolar disorder and mutual commitment, many couples successfully navigate these obstacles and build strong, lasting partnerships.

Strategies for Maintaining Healthy Bipolar Relationships

Cultivating a strong relationship while managing bipolar disorder requires effort and understanding from both partners. Here are some effective strategies:

Open Communication

Honest, transparent communication is crucial. Both partners should feel comfortable discussing their feelings, concerns, and needs. This includes openly addressing the impact of bipolar symptoms on the relationship.

Education and Understanding

The non-bipolar partner should educate themselves about the condition to better understand their partner’s experiences. This knowledge can foster empathy and patience during challenging times.

Consistent Treatment

Adhering to prescribed medication regimens and therapy appointments is essential for managing bipolar symptoms effectively. Both partners should prioritize treatment as a cornerstone of relationship health.

Establish Boundaries

Setting clear boundaries helps both partners understand their roles and responsibilities in managing the condition. This can include agreements about financial decisions, social activities, and personal space.

Self-Care Practices

Both partners should prioritize self-care to maintain their individual well-being. This may include regular exercise, stress-reduction techniques, and pursuing personal interests.

Navigating a Bipolar Breakup: Coping Strategies

When a bipolar relationship ends, the aftermath can be particularly challenging. Here are some strategies to help individuals cope with a bipolar breakup:

Seek Professional Support

Consulting a mental health professional can provide valuable guidance during this difficult time. Therapy can help process emotions, maintain stability, and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Maintain Treatment Regimen

It’s crucial to continue medication and therapy as prescribed, even during emotional turmoil. Discontinuing treatment can lead to symptom exacerbation and further complications.

Build a Support Network

Reach out to trusted friends and family members for emotional support. Consider joining support groups for individuals with bipolar disorder to connect with others who understand your experiences.

Focus on Self-Care

Prioritize activities that promote emotional and physical well-being. This may include regular exercise, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and engaging in relaxation techniques.

Avoid Impulsive Decisions

Resist the urge to make major life changes immediately after a breakup. Give yourself time to process emotions and regain stability before making significant decisions.

The Role of Medication in Managing Bipolar Relationships

Medication plays a crucial role in managing bipolar disorder and, by extension, in maintaining healthy relationships. How does proper medication management contribute to relationship stability?

Consistent use of prescribed medications helps stabilize mood swings, reducing the frequency and severity of manic and depressive episodes. This stability can lead to:

• More predictable behavior patterns
• Improved communication between partners
• Enhanced ability to maintain commitments and routines
• Reduced risk of impulsive actions that could harm the relationship

However, medication is not a panacea. It should be combined with therapy, lifestyle changes, and open communication between partners for optimal results in managing bipolar disorder within a relationship context.

The Importance of Self-Awareness in Bipolar Relationships

Developing self-awareness is a critical component of managing bipolar disorder and maintaining healthy relationships. How can individuals with bipolar disorder cultivate greater self-awareness?

Recognize Triggers

Identifying situations, environments, or behaviors that may trigger mood episodes allows individuals to take proactive steps to manage their condition.

Monitor Mood Changes

Keeping a mood journal or using mood-tracking apps can help individuals recognize patterns in their emotional states and identify early warning signs of manic or depressive episodes.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness techniques can help individuals become more attuned to their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, allowing for earlier intervention when mood shifts occur.

Seek Feedback

Encourage open communication with partners, friends, and family members who can provide valuable insights into behavioral changes that may not be immediately apparent to the individual.

By developing greater self-awareness, individuals with bipolar disorder can take a more active role in managing their condition and minimizing its impact on their relationships.

Building Resilience in Bipolar Relationships

Resilience is a crucial factor in maintaining long-term, healthy relationships when one partner has bipolar disorder. How can couples build resilience to weather the challenges associated with the condition?

Cultivate Shared Interests

Engaging in activities that both partners enjoy can strengthen the bond between them and provide a sense of normalcy during difficult times.

Celebrate Successes

Acknowledge and celebrate both small and large achievements in managing bipolar disorder and maintaining the relationship. This positive reinforcement can boost morale and motivation.

Develop a Crisis Plan

Work together to create a plan for managing severe mood episodes. This can include identifying warning signs, outlining steps for seeking help, and designating supportive individuals to assist during crises.

Practice Forgiveness

Both partners should cultivate the ability to forgive, recognizing that mistakes may occur due to the nature of bipolar disorder. This doesn’t mean accepting harmful behavior, but rather fostering understanding and compassion.

Seek Couples Therapy

Regular sessions with a therapist experienced in bipolar disorder can provide tools and strategies for navigating relationship challenges and strengthening the partnership.

By actively working to build resilience, couples can create a strong foundation that helps them withstand the ups and downs associated with bipolar disorder.

The Role of Support Systems in Bipolar Relationships

A robust support system is invaluable for individuals with bipolar disorder and their partners. How can external support contribute to the stability and health of bipolar relationships?

Family and Friends

Supportive family members and friends can provide emotional support, practical assistance, and a sense of connection for both partners. They can also offer respite care when needed, allowing the non-bipolar partner time for self-care.

Support Groups

Participating in support groups for individuals with bipolar disorder and their loved ones can provide valuable insights, coping strategies, and a sense of community. These groups offer opportunities to learn from others’ experiences and share challenges in a supportive environment.

Mental Health Professionals

Regular engagement with psychiatrists, therapists, and other mental health professionals ensures ongoing management of bipolar symptoms and provides a space to address relationship concerns.

Online Communities

Online forums and social media groups dedicated to bipolar disorder can offer additional support and resources, particularly for those who may have limited access to in-person support options.

Workplace Support

Understanding employers and colleagues can provide crucial support by accommodating the needs of individuals with bipolar disorder, such as flexible schedules or time off for medical appointments.

By leveraging these various support systems, individuals with bipolar disorder and their partners can create a network of resources to help them navigate the challenges of their relationship and maintain long-term stability.

In conclusion, while bipolar disorder can present significant challenges to romantic relationships, many couples successfully navigate these obstacles through education, communication, proper treatment, and mutual support. By implementing strategies to manage symptoms, build resilience, and leverage support systems, individuals with bipolar disorder and their partners can cultivate strong, healthy, and lasting relationships. The key lies in ongoing commitment to personal growth, open dialogue, and a shared dedication to managing the condition together.

Bipolar & Relationships: Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Post Views: 73,719

Views

The end of a relationship often ushers in dark feelings like abandonment, guilt, and rejection. Even if the relationship was toxic and getting out was the right decision, there may be a sense of failure or self-blame.

In any case, there’s typically a period of destabilizing upheaval as the newly single adjust to life on their own, perhaps in different surroundings.

Dan of Minnesota recalls losing all the “couple friends” in his divorce — including several people he considered to be very close. The end of those connections was just part of a larger rupture in his sense of self.

“If we tend to lose ourselves in a relationship, to define ourselves by the person we’re with, it’s like taking away a major part of our self-worth,” he reflects.

During his recovery from the breakup, he jumped into another relationship “just to prove to myself I was worth something. It was just kind of a reaffirmation thing. It was a mistake.”

Getting into a relationship when you’re fleeing feelings of loneliness, hurt or abandonment is no solid foundation for attracting a good partner, says Anita H. Clayton, MD, interim chair of the department of psychiatry and neurobehavioral sciences at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

“The idea of moderation may not be terribly appealing, but you really need to try to keep things steady,” she says. “Keep your sleep stable, stay away from high-risk activities, and do something that for you is positive and makes you feel better.”

Joan of Florida warns against turning to social media for affirmation after a split. That’s what she did, posting rants about an ex that brought comments from friends who were trying to be supportive: “You don’t need him.” “You’ve got to move on.” “Just get off this horse and hop on another one.”

Instead of soothing her hurt, however, those remarks “just fueled the anger,” she recalls, “and that fueled a manic stage. ” With her impulse control at zero, she ended up cycling through a series of sexual affairs. She regrets the way her mania torched any hope of reconciliation.

“Even if my marriage had been salvageable, I had moved on,” she says. “I didn’t even give it a chance.”

Redoubling your efforts at self-management during the post-breakup period will bring you toward a place of consistency and acceptance, which eventually will allow you to enter into a relationship “when you’re in the right space and for the right reasons,” says Ben Stover, a licensed clinical professional counselor in Chicago. “It’s very important to make sure you are taking care of yourself before you’re trying to take care of somebody else.”

Stover suggests acknowledging openly and fully that breakups are highly charged and rife with emotional triggers. During this time, don’t stop your medication. See your mental health professional if you have one; consider setting up an appointment with one if you don’t. Utilize your social supports and be careful to avoid isolation.

Above all, he advises, “Take your time. Allow yourself to heal.”

Read More: 

3 Tips to Keep Your Relationships on Track
The Sweethearts Deal: How To Keep Your Relationship Healthy

Printed as “Breaking Up is Hard to Do”, Summer 2016

dating, relationships, stability, summer 2016

About the author

Related

10 Reasons Why Bipolar Relationships Fail & Ways to Cope

In This Article

What are the common reasons why bipolar relationships fail? The answers are rarely straightforward since there are many variables to consider.

Navigating a relationship can be challenging, and bipolar disorder can add additional hurdles to overcome. Consequently, bipolar disorder breakups are not rare, although that doesn’t mean there aren’t many strong, fulfilling, and long-lasting bipolar relationships.

Before we describe the effects of bipolar disorder on relationships and why bipolar relationships sometimes fail, let’s define bipolar disorder first.  

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration shifts. The mood fluctuations go from extreme happiness, irritation, or energized behavior (also named manic episodes) to periods of extreme sadness, indifference, and helplessness (known as depressive episodes). 

Bipolar I disorder involves periods of mania that alternate with depressive episodes.

Bipolar II disorder consists of alternating depressive and hypomanic episodes (periods of elevated mood and energy milder in nature than manic episodes)

In the video below, Kati Morton, a licensed therapist, discusses in detail what Bipolar II disorder is.

Cyclothymic disorder is expressed by brief periods of hypomania taking turns with short depressive symptoms (less intense and shorter than the first two types). 

The shifts a person with bipolar disorder experiences are more dramatic than one would usually encounter. Although there can be symptom-free periods (known as euthymia), mood fluctuations can significantly impact a person’s day-to-day functioning. This could be one of the reasons why bipolar relationships fail. 

10 common reasons why bipolar relationships fail

Bipolar relationships can be complicated and may end up failing because of a variety of reasons. However, the disease is not the reason for this. The inability to healthily deal with the disease often causes the breakup. 

Here are some possible reasons why bipolar relationships fail:

1. Dramatic changes in mood and behavior

Although the symptoms of bipolar disorder exist on a spectrum, hypo/manic and depressive episodes are present with this diagnosis. One of the reasons why bipolar relationships fail is related to dramatic changes in the mood and behavior that come with the episodes. 

For example, during manic episodes, a person seeks more pleasure through heavy drinking or partying. On the other hand, during a depressive phase, they might withdraw from their partner due to the heavy onset of hopelessness and despair. 

Living with someone with bipolar can be challenging as it requires the spouse to find ways to cope with the experience of these tense and sometimes extreme fluctuations.

2. Sole focus on the person with bipolar disorder

Dealing with any illness induces stress. In a bipolar disorder relationship, the focus is often on helping the person struggling with the illness, although the other partner is experiencing stress and needs care. 

Helping a loved one cope with the consequences of a mental disorder can take a toll. Although you choose to do it, you don’t always have the answers as to what is the most appropriate form of help. Often you might feel lost and in need of support. 

One of the reasons why bipolar relationships fail is forgetting to concentrate on the person without the diagnosis as well. Attention needs to be given to both partners since the relationship will flourish only when they are both doing well.

3. Emotional ups and downs

It is natural to be worried about your partner when experiencing hypomania or mania since they can be quite impulsive and unlike themselves during those times. 

When their mood changes towards the depressive spectrum, it can be upsetting differently, especially if the partner mentions suicidal thoughts. This can take you through an emotional rollercoaster, leaving you confused, worried, and helpless.

4. Irritability and anger

One of the misconceptions about bipolar disorder is that a person is happy when they are experiencing mania. Manic periods are better described as periods of elevated mood, including irritability and anger.

Living with someone with bipolar disorder can be challenging when they are irritable (or anyone irritable, for that matter) because it can lead to communication problems and conflicts. The negativity and criticism expressed can take a toll on the bipolar disorder relationship patterns when not dealt with.

5. Strict routine

People with bipolar disorder may rely heavily on routine to preserve periods of euthymia. They may have to stick to a strict sleep schedule, diet, and exercise to keep symptoms in check since, for example, lack of sleep can trigger a manic episode. 

This can affect the relationship as partners sometimes need extremely opposite things. It may lead the partner with the diagnosis to choose an early bed routine, preventing them from late-night gatherings or places where alcohol is served (as it can also trigger an episode or interfere with medicine). 

This may seem like an obstacle that can be dealt with, and often it is. However, the more severe the symptoms are, the more restrictive the routine can become, affecting the relationship.

6. The stress of managing the signs 

Treatment can help when continuous and focused effort exists. However, successful treatment can be challenging because many people miss their “up” periods and the euphoria of manic episodes, so they might seek to induce those periods of elevated mood.  

It might also be that they see those periods as times when they are being their best selves and decide to stop the treatment to have it again. 

Choosing to stop taking medication affects their partner too. Together they have worked towards establishing a symptoms-free period, and this act can be perceived as a betrayal after everything they did to help their loved one feel better. You can imagine how that can impact the relationship.

7. Destructive behaviors

Although depressive episodes are hard to cope with, mania brings other challenges that can be just as destructive. 

In a heightened mood, people with bipolar disorder are prone to risky behaviors such as overspending, excessive alcohol abuse, gambling, etc. These behaviors can have consequences that can take a serious toll on the relationship, with or without the bipolar in question.

8. Infidelity

Infidelity can break apart any couple. Many people struggle to regain trust once it has been broken; the same goes for bipolar disorder relationships.  

Bipolar and trust issues are often closely linked. Why?

One of the consequences of bipolar disorder is that it can induce the person to engage in infidelity to reduce their feelings of depression and boredom. Infidelity can be more common when people have not yet been diagnosed or stopped using their medication.

9. Issues while planning a family

If there is a partner with bipolar in a relationship, planning a family can become problematic due to multiple reasons. 

Certain medications prescribed for bipolar disorder can affect one’s chances of having children. This is one of the examples of bipolar disorder sabotaging relationships. One has to either stop their medication and live with the symptoms or consider other means of having children. 

10. Self-isolation

Self-isolation is usually because of the stigma surrounding bipolar disorder. The sufferer receives negative criticism from people, internalizes them and drifts into a state of self-stigma.

Just because of the derogatory remarks of the society, the person goes mental illness further and that causes them to communicate less and be involved in the relationship to the minimum.

5 ways to cope when a bipolar relationship fails

Bipolar disorder affects relationships complexly; hence there isn’t a blanket approach or solution. However, some guidelines can be helpful nonetheless.

1. Don’t blame the disease

In the search for why bipolar relationships fail, we need to remember that what breaks apart most couples (bipolar or not) is making assumptions. When couples start attributing everything to the diagnosis instead of searching for ways to overcome problems, they enter a hopeless mindset.

The disease is never the only reason for a relationship to fall apart. Many couples dealing with mental illnesses can make it work if they have the right information, approach, and support from experts. 

How?

The key is to remember NOT to generalize!

One person with bipolar will have trouble controlling their anger; another won’t. Someone else may experience extreme irritability during hypomania or mania; another won’t. A mental condition, although called the same, will have many faces. 

If you saw the relationship through the lens of their diagnosis, you might ignore the true problem. This approach might have made your partner feel judged and categorized. 

2. Educate yourself further

A person who is bipolar falling in and out of love can leave you feeling confused and frustrated, even after you break up. The best way to combat this after breaking up with a bipolar person is to educate yourself. 

Take the time to read up on the different aspects of being bipolar and loving a bipolar person. You can also join certain support groups to talk to people who may have had similar experiences. 

3. Consider counseling

A bipolar relationship cycle can make a partner question themself and their relationship ability. It can create doubts, insecurities and frustration if one does not understand the disorder.  

Bipolar relationship breakups are hard and a relationship therapist can help you understand different aspects of it. It can make you see what went wrong, what you could’ve done differently, and what aspects weren’t your fault. 

4. Accept that they didn’t need fixing

We all see potential in the person we love, but falling in love or staying with someone because of their potential is the common reason bipolar relationships fail (or any other). 

The key to making the relationship work is NOT trying to fix them. Otherwise, you may have sent them a message they are not good enough the way they are, and that may have caused the breakup. 

You don’t have to feel guilty or frustrated that they did not change, as it was not your responsibility to do that. 

If you were focused on who they can be, you are not dating the person they are. That means you may have been pushing them to become someone they might not be and missing out on being present and dealing with the problems at hand.  

5. Practice self-care

“You can’t pour from an empty cup.”

To be there for your partner, you must take care of yourself too. One of the reasons for bipolar relationship breakups, or any other that involves any illness, is forgetting to take care of the caregiver (not that you are always in that role). 

Surround yourself with the support of people who understand what you’re going through and regularly practice self-care. For each person, self-care will mean something different, of course. 

The key is to remember to check in with your needs regularly, not only when you are exhausted.

Watch this video to learn more about how to retrain your brain through self-care:

Some commonly asked questions

Here are the answers to some questions related to bipolar disorder that can help you understand the different aspects of being in a bipolar relationship.

About 90 percent of married couples end up divorced if one partner is bipolar. It showcases not just how difficult it is to be in a bipolar relationship but also how people often lack the tools to make these relationships work. 

With the right and informed approach, bipolar relationships have a higher chance of success.

There are many misconceptions about bipolar disorder or any mental illness, for that matter. One of them is that bipolar and relationships are not a good match, and eventually, the disorder ruins the bond. 

However, it is important to recognize that it is NOT a fact that bipolar destroys relationships. Dating or living with someone with bipolar may produce additional challenges from battling the mental disorder. However, this does not mean that ALL bipolar relationships fail. 

However, relationships end for various reasons, and thinking that diagnosis is the key or main reason is fortifying the stigma regarding mental illnesses. The truth is that the diagnosis is only part of the equation for bipolar breakup.

Bipolar relationships are hard because people usually lack the knowledge and understanding of this particular mental illness and how to cope. Without the tools, bipolar relationships can become burdensome and problematic. 

To successfully manage bipolar symptoms, you must ensure that your partner is committed to continued treatment and ongoing communication with a mental health specialist. As their partner, you can provide the support and encouragement required for regular checkups. 

Additionally, as someone who knows them well, you can notice any troubling symptoms when they first appear so they can schedule an appointment immediately. When addressed promptly, an episode onset can be prevented, and a symptom-free period can continue. 

Sometimes it is a matter of changing the medicine or the dosage.

Final thoughts

When we ask why bipolar relationships fail, we must also ask why some succeed. 

What breaks apart one couple can make another stronger. It all depends on how they approach the situation and resolve the problem. 

Bipolar disorder can put additional hurdles to the relationship; that is true. But a diagnosis of mental illness in a partner is not a death sentence for the relationship. 

Many couples make it work and live a happy, fulfilling life together. Please focus on the person in front of you, not their diagnosis; make a point of NOT approaching a problem due to the illness; instead, look for other causes and focus on continuous treatment and self-care. 

Navigating a romantic relationship can be challenging, but we do it daily!

Bipolar Disorder | Symptoms, complications, diagnosis and treatment

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). Episodes of mood swings may occur infrequently or several times a year.

When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities. When the mood shifts to mania or hypomania (less extreme than mania), you may feel euphoric, full of energy or unusually irritable. These mood swings can affect sleep, energy, alertness, judgment, behavior, and the ability to think clearly.

Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, you can manage your mood swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan. In most cases, bipolar disorder is treated with medication and psychological counseling (psychotherapy).

Symptoms

There are several types of bipolar and related disorders. These may include mania, hypomania, and depression. The symptoms can lead to unpredictable changes in mood and behavior, leading to significant stress and difficulty in life.

• Bipolar disorder I. You have had at least one manic episode, which may be preceded or accompanied by hypomanic or major depressive episodes. In some cases, mania can cause a break with reality (psychosis).
• Bipolar disorder II. You have had at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but never had a manic episode.
• Cyclothymic disorder. You have had at least two years – or one year in children and adolescents – many periods of hypomanic symptoms and periods of depressive symptoms (though less severe than major depression).
• Other types. These include, for example, bipolar and related disorders caused by certain drugs or alcohol, or due to health conditions such as Cushing’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or stroke.

Bipolar II is not a milder form of Bipolar I but is a separate diagnosis. Although bipolar I manic episodes can be severe and dangerous, people with bipolar II can be depressed for longer periods of time, which can cause significant impairment.

Although bipolar disorder can occur at any age, it is usually diagnosed in adolescence or early twenties. Symptoms can vary from person to person, and symptoms can change over time.

Mania and hypomania

Mania and hypomania are two different types of episodes, but they share the same symptoms. Mania is more pronounced than hypomania and causes more noticeable problems at work, school, and social activities, as well as relationship difficulties. Mania can also cause a break with reality (psychosis) and require hospitalization.

Both a manic episode and a hypomanic episode include three or more of these symptoms:

• Abnormally optimistic or nervous
• Increased activity, energy or excitement
• Exaggerated sense of well-being and self-confidence (euphoria)
• Reduced need for sleep
• Unusual talkativeness
• Distractibility
• Poor decision-making – for example, in speculation, in sexual encounters or in irrational investments

Major depressive episode

Major depressive episode includes symptoms that are severe enough to cause noticeable difficulty in daily activities such as work, school, social activities, or relationships. Episode includes five or more of these symptoms:

• Depressed mood, such as feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or tearful (in children and adolescents, depressed mood may manifest as irritability)
• Marked loss of interest or feeling of displeasure in all (or nearly all) activities
• Significant weight loss with no diet, weight gain, or decreased or increased appetite (in children, failure to gain weight as expected may be a sign of depression)
• Either insomnia or sleeping too much
• Either anxiety or slow behavior
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
• Decreased ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness
• Thinking, planning or attempting suicide

Other features of bipolar disorder

Signs and symptoms of bipolar I and bipolar II disorder may include other signs such as anxiety disorder, melancholia, psychosis, or others. The timing of symptoms may include diagnostic markers such as mixed or fast cycling. In addition, bipolar symptoms may occur during pregnancy or with the change of seasons.

When to see a doctor

Despite extreme moods, people with bipolar disorder often do not realize how much their emotional instability disrupts their lives and the lives of their loved ones and do not receive the necessary treatment.

And if you are like people with bipolar disorder, you can enjoy feelings of euphoria and be more productive. However, this euphoria is always accompanied by an emotional disaster that can leave you depressed and possibly in financial, legal, or other bad relationships.

If you have symptoms of depression or mania, see your doctor or mental health professional. Bipolar disorder does not improve on its own. Getting mental health treatment with a history of bipolar disorder can help control your symptoms.

Bipolar mood disorders | Postpartum Support International (PSI)

Bipolar mood disorders include Bipolar I and Bipolar 2.

There are two phases of bipolar mood disorder: lows and highs. A low time is clinically referred to as depression, while a high time is clinically referred to as mania or hypomania. Many women are first diagnosed with bipolar depression or mania during pregnancy or after childbirth. In bipolar 2, the manic episode is less noticeable; the ups and downs are not as extreme, and sometimes it’s more obvious to friends and family than it is to the person going through the phases.

The criterion for a diagnosis of bipolar mood disorder is that symptoms persist for more than four days and interfere with functioning and relationships. Sometimes it seems that the ups and downs happen almost simultaneously; this confused state is called a mixed episode. These cycles and emotional states are more than the moodiness of pregnancy or the postpartum period. For many women, pregnancy or the postpartum period may be the first time they realize they have bipolar mood cycles.

Occasionally, a person with severe episodes of mania or depression also has psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions. These symptoms pose a high risk and require immediate treatment. In an emergency, click here. for information.

Bipolar disorder can look like severe depression or anxiety.

In pregnant women and women in childbirth, bipolar depression may appear as very severe depression or may present as anxiety. It’s important to review your mood history to determine if you’ve had periods of consistently high mood, decreased need for sleep, and periods of increased productivity. There is a very high risk of increased severity if you are being treated for depression alone, but you have the potential to move into the manic or hypomanic part of your cycle.

Risk factors

Risk factors for bipolar mood disorder are a family or personal history of bipolar mood disorder (also called manic-depressive disorder).

Bipolar mood disorder I

• Periods of severe depression and irritability
• Feeling much better than usual
• Rapid speech
• Little need for sleep
• Gon ki thoughts, trouble concentrating
• Continuous high energy
• self-confidence
• Delusions (often grandiose, but also paranoid)
• Impulsivity, myopia, distractibility
• Grandiose thoughts, inflated sense of self-importance
• In the most severe cases, delusions and hallucinations

Bipolar II mood disorder

• Periods of severe depression
• Periods when mood is much better than usual
• Rapid speech
• Little need for sleep
• Thought racing, trouble concentrating
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Continuous high energy
• overconfidence

It is essential to consult with an informed professional with experience and training in valuation and mental health care during pregnancy and postpartum.