Also, known as manic depression. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition with longer-lasting consistent mood changes. It also associated with characteristic features. These are present during those periods of extreme mood. It can affect a person directly or indirectly. In fact, It affects a person’s state of mind, judgement, and decision making. For example, when someone is experiencing an extreme state of mood, they might behave in a way that is not normal for them. These actions may have side effects. When someone is unwell from their bipolar there may be unintended effects on friends, family and work colleagues.Sounds like a helpless situation? Actually, no.

The bipolar disorder might be a lifetime illness. Managing this can depend mainly on one’s beliefs. Controlling the disorder to an extent of a person’s mood swings and other related symptoms are achievable. This can be done through a well planned mental health care program. One that is adjusted to the individual, emotional and psychological needs of a person.

There are actually a few types of bipolar related disorders. They show different bipolar symptoms such as mania, hypomania and depression. The distress felt may definitely lead to difficulties across all sides of life. So this can affect our sleep, energy levels and think overall. However, knowing the disorder condition might be very useful in defining bipolar.

Bipolar 1 Disorder

In this condition, a person has had at least one event of mania. A manic event is sometimes related to psychosis. Psychosis is a state of changed reality. A manic event is a long-lasting period, over 7 days of uplifted mood.

Bipolar 2 Disorder

In this condition, a person has had at least one event of hypomania and there are no psychotic symptoms. This is not a light bipolar disorder. It is a separate diagnosis. Individuals who suffer from Bipolar type 2 Disorder can go through a wave of depressive events.

Cyclothymic Disorder

In this disorder, a person has had at least two years of hypomania symptoms and periods of depressive symptoms. The mood changes are not as utmost but follow a repeated nature.

It should be noted that bipolar disorder can be triggered at any point in a person’s life. It can happen at any age. However, bipolar disorder is often diagnosed around the mid-20s. Bipolar symptoms are clear and can differ from one person to another.

The following video on defining bipolar by one of our Psychiatrist at Epsychiatry will help you understand how you can help someone who struggles with this condition. The video discusses bipolar disorder definition, warning signs, features of bipolar, and what you can do if and when you think the person is becoming unwell. This might help you with defining bipolar.

Bipolar disorder is a condition that affects a person's mood and can cause extreme changes in their behavior. There are two distinct states of bipolar disorder: mania and hypomania. Mania is more severe than hypomania and can cause problems in a person's work, school, and daily life. Mania can also affect a person's social activities and relationships, and their friends may notice that they are acting differently. In some cases, mania can become so severe that the person needs to be hospitalised.

What are the symptoms, you may ask?

• Restlessness or Anxiety
• Increased energy
• Excessive happiness or an increased self-confidence or well-being.
• Lack of sleep.
• Extremely talkative, speaking louder and over others.
• Thoughts race, inability to finish compose or keep a thought without jumping from one topic to another.
• Easily Distracted.
• Changed judgement or thought processes that are different to usual.

A person who suffers from vital depressive episodes as one of the features caused by bipolar can struggle with the following.

• They find it hard to maintain motivation.
• Good energy level.
• Feel happy.

Psychologists identify clear symptoms related to depression. Some are poor sleep, appetite changes and not being able to enjoy activities. Psychologists take these signs into thought. They use it to prepare a management plan. This will be really helpful when it comes to defining bipolar. In bipolar disorder definition, Major depressive events include the following signs and symptoms:

• The continued feeling of sadness, hopelessness and being tearful.
• For some, high emotions of irritability are an indicator.
• No sense of pleasure or inability to feel happy or satisfied.
• Extreme weight loss or gain.
• Poor sleeping patterns, either a person sleeps too much or not enough.
• Loss of energy.
• Inability to decide, think or concentrate.
• Thoughts of suicide.

To put it simply, if you are having persistent thoughts about wanting to end your life, it's important to seek help. It's okay to admit to feeling scared or overwhelmed, and getting a mental health care plan can be a helpful solution. Seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist who is familiar with bipolar disorder can provide you with the knowledge and support you need to manage your symptoms. You can start by talking to your family doctor about your concerns and they can guide you towards appropriate mental health resources.

After all, we all deserve to be happy. Therefore, it’s important to get help from mental health professionals to achieve it.