Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that describes a category of mood disorders. Individuals with bipolar disorder go back and forth between periods of a very good mood (mania), irritable mood and depression. These ‘mood swings’ can be very quick, but will vary in how severe or how long they last for each person. Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally and usually starts between the ages of 15 – 25.
There are two types of bipolar disorder:
Mania refers to abnormally elevated mood and energy, which can sometimes be triggered by life changes, medications, lack of sleep or recreational drug use. If you have experienced mania you may remember being reckless, easily agitated, and experiencing an extreme increase in energy and self-esteem. You may have experienced racing thoughts and may have felt energised to do everything at once. You may have also been more likely to take risks and and felt you could stay awake for long periods without sleep.
The depressed phase of both types of bipolar disorder include the following symptoms:
If you think you are experiencing symptoms of Bipolar Disorder, or you have previously been diagnosed and are struggling to cope, it is crucial to seek professional help. Treatment for bipolar disorder can often involve medication, however the practitioners at VCPS can assist individuals with bipolar disorder in various other ways including:
