Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme changes in your mood. These mood swings go much further than the normal ups and downs that everyone experiences.

What Are the Main Signs?

People with bipolar disorder have two main types of mood episodes:

High moods (called mania or hypomania):

• Feeling extremely happy, excited or full of energy
• Being very irritable or aggressive
• Not needing much sleep but still feeling energetic
• Racing thoughts that jump from topic to topic
• Talking very fast or a lot
• Feeling overly confident
• Spending money without thinking
• Acting in ways that aren't normal for you
• In severe cases, hearing or seeing things that aren't there

Low moods (depression):

• Feeling very sad, hopeless or empty
• Losing interest in things you normally enjoy
• Having very little energy or feeling exhausted
• Sleeping too much or having trouble sleeping
• Eating much more or much less than usual
• Feeling worthless
• Finding it hard to concentrate
• Avoiding friends and family
• Having thoughts about harming yourself

These mood episodes usually last days or weeks. Between episodes, you may feel completely normal for weeks, months or even years.

When Should You Speak to Your GP?

You should speak to your GP if:

• You have extreme mood changes that last a long time
• These mood swings are affecting your daily life, work or relationships
• You've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder but your treatments aren't helping

Get urgent help immediately if:

• You're having thoughts about harming yourself
• You're thinking about suicide
• You feel you might harm someone else

If you're worried about someone else, encourage them to speak to their GP.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Your GP will ask about your symptoms and may refer you to a mental health specialist (a psychiatrist). The specialist will ask detailed questions about:

• Your moods and behaviour
• Your health history
• Your family's mental health history

Bipolar disorder can take time to diagnose because it affects everyone differently and shares symptoms with other mental health conditions.

What Treatments Are Available?

While bipolar disorder cannot be cured, it can be managed effectively with treatment. Your mental health team will create a treatment plan that might include:

• Medicines to help keep your moods stable - some you take all the time, others only when symptoms get worse
• Talking therapy like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Regular appointments with your GP or mental health team

Important: Never stop taking your bipolar disorder medicine unless your doctor tells you to, even if you feel better.

What Can Help Day-to-Day?

Learning what triggers your mood episodes can help you manage them. Common triggers include stress, lack of sleep, and being too busy.

Things that can help:

• Keep a regular daily routine
• Get plenty of sleep
• Eat healthy meals
• Exercise regularly
• Learn to manage stress

Things to avoid:

• Recreational drugs
• Too much alcohol
• Smoking
• Too much caffeine
• Shift work or very long hours if possible

Support groups and charities like Bipolar UK, Mind and Rethink Mental Illness offer valuable help and advice for you and your family.

Remember, with the right treatment and support, people with bipolar disorder can live full, healthy lives.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.