Contributed by: Healthians Team
Introduction
Extreme mood swings, including emotional highs (mania) and lows (hypomania), are symptoms of bipolar disorder, which is also known as manic depression (depression).
One might experience sadness or a sense of hopelessness while they’re depressed, and they may stop enjoying most activities. You can experience happiness, a boost of energy, or an unusually irritated mood as your mood switches to mania or hypomania (a less severe form of mania). These mood changes might affect one’s ability to think properly, sleep, be active, have energy, and make decisions.
Although there is no known cure for bipolar disease, there are many efficient treatments. You may learn to control mood swings with the use of these treatment choices, which will benefit both your symptoms and your quality of life.
Types of bipolar disorders
Bipolar-I
When a person has a manic episode, bipolar I disorder is identified. People with the bipolar-I disorder have an extreme boost in energy during a manic episode, and they may feel like they are on top of the world or are extremely irritable. Most people with the bipolar-I disorder also experience times of calm mood, and some people with the condition also suffer periods of depression or hypomania.
Bipolar-II
People with bipolar II go between hypomanic and depressed phases. Bipolar II disorder is frequently more limited than bipolar I illness because chronic depression is more common in bipolar II, even if hypomania is less incapacitating than mania.
Cyclothymic disorder (cyclothymia)
Cyclothymic disorder is characterized by a continuously unstable mood. People go through mild sadness and hypomania for at least two years. Euthymia, or brief episodes of normal mood, can occur in people with cyclothymia, but they rarely last longer than eight weeks.
What is the difference between mania and hypomania?
Although mania and hypomania are two different types of episodes, they both have the same signs and symptoms. Mania is more severe than hypomania and results in more obvious issues with work, education, social activities, and relationships. Mania can also result in a psychotic break (psychosis) that necessitates hospitalisation.
Symptoms for mania:
- Abnormally enthusiastic, restless, or wired
- Increased energy, excitement, or activity
- Overconfidence and an exaggerated sense of well-being (euphoria)
- Sleeping less often and being more talkative than usual
- Rapid-fire ideas
- Distractibility
Symptoms for hypomania :
- The signs are milder
- Symptoms last for four to seven days.
- No functional limitations
- Even though people can notice changes, you might nevertheless carry on with your routine activities.
- Taking risks is common.
- You can have distraction exhaustion.
Avoid these foods if you going through bipolar disorders
Caffeine
People who experience depression and anxiety should stop drinking their regular cups of coffee. The stimulant caffeine disrupts the sleep cycle and makes you feel active. Additionally, it decreases the absorption of vital vitamins that regulate mood.
Sugar
When we feel low and want a quick pick-up, indulging in a sugar craving is tempting as sugar stabilizes the mood. If people with bipolar disorders consume too much sugar, they have increased chances of incidents and recurrent mood disorders. Consuming too much sugar enhances your anxiety and depression levels. So, it is always advisable to limit the intake of saturated fats and added sugars in the diet in order to prevent bipolar progression.
Alcohol
Alcohol can affect your health in several ways. Overindulgence in alcohol can affect your speech, balance, and more. It has been proven that alcohol has a long-term negative impact on mood, balance, and memory. It is advised to consult your doctor about getting help quitting alcohol if you suffer from depression or anxiety.
Processed and Deep Fried Food
Processed food may worsen anxiety and depressive symptoms leading to lethargy in addition to being high in trans fats which are generally quite bad for your heart health. Processed and fried food has a lot of sodium, which can disrupt the nervous system. So, consume the meals that help you stay active.
Final thoughts
Despite the extreme mood swings, those who suffer from bipolar disorder frequently fail to notice how much their emotional instability disturbs both their own and their loved ones, and they consequently fail to receive the necessary therapy.
Additionally, if they have bipolar disorder they might take pleasure in periods of higher productivity and bliss. This euphoria is always followed by an emotional crash that can leave you feeling down, exhausted, and depressed.
Visit your doctor or a mental health expert if you experience any signs of mania or hypomania. It takes time for bipolar disorder to stabilise. You can control your symptoms by receiving treatment from a mental health specialist.
Furthermore, you should also undergo preventive health checkups. These health checkups give a complete report about your health, allowing you to take necessary precautionary measures to improve your well-being and keep various ailments at bay.
