- By Aima Abid 09-Dec-2022
- 404
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by dramatic highs and lows — periods of depression alternating with mania, or extremely elevated mood.
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by dramatic highs and lows — periods of depression alternating with mania, or extremely elevated mood.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
The basic concept behind the bipolar disorder is that your mood (your “feelings”) can shift rapidly from elevated, to depressed, to elevated again.
The speed of this shift called a “switch,” can make it hard for friends, family members, and healthcare providers to understand or diagnose your condition. If left untreated, bipolar disorder can cause serious problems like broken relationships, unsafe behaviors, or even a missed opportunity to get a degree or a good job.
However, with treatment, most people with bipolar disorder get their lives back on track. People with bipolar disorder may have severe highs, sometimes called “mania,” or severe lows, called “depression.” Both stages of bipolar disorder are severe. But over time, most people with bipolar disorder have periods when their mood is mixed, and they’re not in a manic or depressive cycle.
There’s no test to diagnose bipolar disorder. Doctors figure it out by asking you questions and doing some medical tests. This process may take a while — sometimes months or years.
Why is bipolar disorder hard to diagnose, especially in teens?
Teenagers may be hesitant to tell their parents or healthcare providers that they’re having problems. Mental health disorders are sometimes hard to spot in teens for the same reasons they’re often missed in adults: Teens are still figuring out who they are and what’s important.
This is also a time when teens are looking for ways to express their feelings — so it’s normal for them to experiment with new behaviors. This can make it hard for them to talk about and understand their emotions.
How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?
Your doctor will likely start by asking you questions and then doing some medical tests to rule out other possible causes. You may be asked: What’s your mood like right now? How would you describe your mood to a friend? Which of these best describes your mood right now? As you answer the questions, pay attention to how you’re feeling, not what you think you “should” feel.
It’s OK if your mood is different from what you expected. Your doctor may also examine your medical history, including how long you’ve had certain conditions or how often you visit the doctor. This can help rule out other conditions that might cause similar symptoms.
How is bipolar disorder treated in adolescents?
Adolescents with bipolar disorder receive the same treatment as adults with bipolar disorder — a type of talk therapy known as psychotherapy. This approach combines talk therapy (communication skills training) and medications.
Psychotherapy can help teens better understand their emotions, change their thoughts to be more healthy, and develop healthier coping skills. It can also help them deal with changes in their relationships and daily lives that go along with their disorder.
Is It ADHD or BICOID?
The common misperception that bipolar disorder is “ADHD in a mood” is a biological explanation for bipolar disorder desperately searching for a biological label. But research shows that this is very unlikely to be the cause.
Most clinicians agree that bipolar disorder should not be diagnosed in people with ADHD, even though ADHD and bipolar disorder both involve problems with how a person feels and expresses emotions. ADHD is a biological condition, while bipolar disorder has biological and psychological components.
Adolescents and others with bipolar disorder may be misdiagnosed with “bipolar” or “oppositional-defiant disorder” (ODD) (sometimes referred to as “bicoid”). BICOID is a term used to describe the misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder in people with ODD, a behavior problem that has nothing to do with bipolar disorder.
Is it ADHD or BICOID?
Research shows that bipolar disorder is not misdiagnosed as ADHD more often than usual in people with ODD. While there is a higher rate of bipolar disorder in people with ODD, bipolar disorder is still misdiagnosed more often than usual in people with ODD.
These misdiagnoses are based on the assumption that what’s causing a person’s behavior problems is “bicoid.” Bicoid is a term used to describe the misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder in people with ODD, a behavior problem that has nothing to do with bipolar disorder.
Is it normal to experience Mood Swings?
Yes. It’s normal to feel sad sometimes, angry and surprised sometimes. It’s also normal to feel happy sometimes. Some people feel depressed or anxious most of the time, while others only experience moods occasionally.
It’s OK if your mood is different from what you expected. It can feel confusing and even scary when you have mood shifts that seem like they could be signs of a more serious mental health problem. Keeping an open mind and talking with your doctor or therapist can help you gain a better understanding of your moods.
Why do some people have mood swings while others don’t?
Scientists aren’t sure why some people experience mood changes while others don’t. They do know that it’s not something you do (like “lacking discipline”) or “bad” (like “lacking self-control”). It’s also not because you’re not “enough” of something (like “enough income” or “enough exercise”). You’re just human.
Why are people moody?
Moods can be a very useful way to help you process information, like sadness when you lose a friend or happiness when you’re doing something you love. But moods can also be distracting, ADD.
What causes mood swings?
Your brain, hormones, and genetics are all factors that can contribute to mood swings. It’s also possible that a drug or food can change your mood.
Is it OK if my mood is different from what I expected?
Yes. It’s normal to feel sad, angry and surprised sometimes. It’s also normal to feel happy sometimes. It can feel confusing and even scary when you have mood shifts that seem like they could be signs of a more serious mental health problem.
