Adult Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms and Treatment

Bipolar disorder is also called manic depression. It is a mental health condition that causes excessive mood swings in a person. In this condition, emotional highs are termed as mania or hypomania, and lows, termed as depression, may develop. These mood changes are more extreme than normal emotional changes occur in normal human beings. This condition can significantly impact someone's regular life, relationships, and work performance. 

Management of these extreme mood swings and excessive depression caused by bipolar disorder can be done with Adult Bipolar disorder treatment in Wales provided by expert psychiatrists.

 

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder affects many adults universally, with symptoms often visible in their late adolescence or early adulthood. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are usually categorized into two types: 

1. Manic or hypomanic episodes

2. Depressive episodes

• Manic Episodes: The person may show a minimum of one manic episode occurring before or after depressive episodes. Its symptoms are:
• Euphoria or irritation: The person may look unusually happy, highly energetic, or irritable.
• Hyperactivity or restlessness: They may become hyperactive than they can control or experience pressure to do multiple tasks. 
• Fast thoughts: A person may experience fast-moving thoughts, making it hard to focus.
• Changing behavior: It can include spending too much money, making reckless decisions, or showing risky behaviors.
• Low requirement for sleep: Even with a short nap time, the person may feel unusually energetic.

Depressive Episodes:

• Sadness or no hopes: The person with bipolar disorder may look extremely sad or hopeless.
• Tired: The person may look tired, low energy, and exhausted even with a daily routine.
• Changes in appetite or improper sleep: The person may experience significant weight loss or gain, or difficulty in sleeping or oversleeping. 
• Loss of interest: A person may lose interest in activities that they once enjoyed.
• Suicidal thoughts: In severe cases, a person may have thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

Causes of Bipolar Disorder:

• Biological factors: Brains with Bipolar disorder show different structure and function, particularly the hippocampus. 
• Neurotransmitter imbalance: If neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are disrupted, it may affect mood, causing bipolar disorder in adults. 
• Genetics: If parents or siblings have mental health conditions. 

Environmental Factor: 

• Stress

• Misusing of drugs and alcohol

• Sleep disturbance

It is essential to understand these factors to effectively manage the condition and reduce the risk factors that may exacerbate it. 

Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

Several treatments are available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Some medications, therapy, and lifestyle changes can be effective. 

Medications:

• Mood stabilizers can be prescribed to the patient to control the extreme mood swings.

• Antidepressants may be prescribed to control depressive episodes but are often combined with a mood stabilizer to prevent a manic episode.

• Antipsychotic medications may be prescribed for managing severe mania or psychosis.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: In this therapy the person understands their mood patterns and develops effective coping mechanisms for managing their stress.

Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy: In this therapy people follow regular activities, such as sleep and other daily habits, thereby preventing mood swings.

Lifestyle and Self-care:

• Maintain a routine

• Regular exercise

• Follow a healthy

• Stress management techniques such as yoga or meditation

With the correct method of treatment, people with bipolar disorder may become productive and get a normal life. However, consistent monitoring and management of the treatment plan are often necessary. 

Choose Wales Psychiatry Centre to receive care for the best adult psychiatry in Wales, specializing in the management and treatment of bipolar disorder.