Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that consists of mood swings and is previously known as manic depression. A person who suffers from bipolar disorder symptoms can have extreme episodes of manic depression from high to low. According to the American Psychiatric Association, it is a brain disorder that changes a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function properly.
A recent report by the National Institute of Mental Health stated that 5 million U.S. adults were diagnosed with a mental disorder last year. It consists of the 3 percent of women who have maniac depression. However, it is difficult to know the exact bipolar disorder symptoms in women. This post will show you the symptoms of bipolar disorder in females and possible treatment for it.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder In Women
Bipolar disorder in women is a serious condition related to manic depression. During this female faces extreme episodes of a mood swing, from high (energetic and super active) to low (down and sad). One of the reasons behind the bipolar disorder in women is the changes in hormones during the mensural cycle and pregnancy.
However, the mood swing during maniac depression is different during menopause. The episodes of mania and depression can last for several days or a week. These mood swings can affect your sleep, cognitive ability, and behavior if not treated on time. There is various bipolar disorder test that is being used to know the major cause behind it. A female needs to reach out to a medical expert for getting possible treatment for controlling maniac depression.
Types Of Bipolar Disorder
Based on the type of mood swings and period of the maniac and depression, there are two types of bipolar disorder. Whether it's a male or female, frequent episodes of mania or depression can last longer than expected. The categorization of bipolar disorder is mainly into three types that affect different gender and age group.
Bipolar I Disorder
Type 1 bipolar disorder is the most severe manic depression that affects men and women equally. It can result in extreme episodes of frequent mood swings and is often diagnosed later in women than men. You may feel energetic for some time or have a feeling of extreme sadness. In some cases, women have a combination of maniac and depressive episodes.
Bipolar II Disorder
The second type that causes bipolar disorder symptoms in women is Bipolar II disorder. In this women have similar mood swings as in Type I. However, during this, the episodes of the maniac are less severe as compared to the Bipolar I disorder in women.
You may experience major depressive episodes that may last for a week. This type of bipolar disorder is commonly seen in females who have gone through the mensural cycle.
Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic disorder is a rare mood disorder that is commonly seen in children or teenagers. During this, you might face emotional changes that are not severe as seen in bipolar disorder type 1 or 2. You might feel high or sad for a limited period.
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms In Women
The signs of bipolar disorder in women can depend on age and present mental state. Since it consists of frequent episodes of mania and depression, the common symptoms of both stages are different from each other. In most cases, females go through irregular symptoms of depression. Here are the common symptoms of the mania phase of bipolar disorder in women:
- The feeling of being overjoyed and happy
- Talking very quickly
- Thoughts of important ideas
- Continuous laughter
- Activeness in body
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Feeling of Excitement
- Irritation or distraction
- Having hallucinations
- Unintentional actions
Here are the bipolar symptoms in women during the depression phase:
- Difficulty in concentration
- Lack of interest in doing things
- Pessimistic thoughts
- The feeling of sadness and fear
- Negative thoughts and energy
- The feeling of guilt and worthlessness
- Self-doubt
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Suicidal thoughts
- Lack of Appetite
The symptoms of bipolar disorder in women can change from time to time. You might get frequent episodes of maniac depression that last for a few hours. In some cases, a female might not show any symptoms when they are in the early stages of bipolar disorder.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder In Women?
The main cause of bipolar disorder in women is the hormonal changes that occur with the age. However, females are more prone to a depressive state than the maniac that occurs later. The mensural cycle can cause an emotional disorder that can last for months. It affects the reproductive period and results in mood swings.
Various research also shows that symptoms of bipolar disorder in females may differ among the different age groups. At the time of pregnancy, it is common for women to experience bipolar disorder signs. If the depressive state remains the same even after months, we advise you to reach for a therapist or medical expert.
Is Bipolar Disorder Genetic?
There is a big confusion among people regarding the connection of genes to bipolar disorder. Close family members who have the maniac-depression may cause this mental condition in their kids. A father or mother who suffers from bipolar disorder may pass this condition to their kids.
The risk of developing the maniac-depression is higher in first-degree relatives like siblings or children. However, according to the NHS, there is no study showing that genetics is the main cause of bipolar disorder in the future generation. It can develop due to a change in mental state and is the combination of social factors.
Test For Identifying Bipolar Disorder
A bipolar disorder test is a set of questions that are designed to confirm the symptoms of mania or depression. It is difficult to know the signs of bipolar disorder in females at the early stage. That is why various experts provide a quiz or survey type to identify the change in mood.
There are questions related to life whose goal is to know about your current mental state. It is the way a licensed mental health therapist or doctor tries to understand the symptoms and suggest the best possible treatment.
During the screening test, doctors ask you common questions related to the change in behavior. After the proper bipolar disorder test, it is clear to know if you are suffering from severe maniac depression or not.
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What Are The Possible Bipolar Disorder Treatments?
The treatment of bipolar disorder mainly consists of psychotherapy and medications. Since it is a mental condition that can occur due to various causes, the right support or care can bring positive results. You can reach out to the therapist who can prepare a therapy plan as per your current condition. Here are the possible bipolar disorder treatments:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT)
CBT is one of the effective therapies to treat bipolar disorder in women as well as men. In this therapy, an expert helps you identify negative beliefs and unhealthy habits and replace them with positive thoughts. By doing this, you can control such behaviors that trigger manic or depression. CBT also includes ways to cope with depressive states and stress.
Interpersonal Therapy
Controlling the daily routine including sleep, eating, and lifestyle can help treat bipolar disorder. Interpersonal therapy is based on managing moods or behavior by preparing a consistent routine. In this therapy, your doctor might prepare a daily routine for you.
Medication
Medication is the widely used way to achieve this state of mind. It is not considered the prominent part of bipolar disorder treatments but is majorly suggested by a psychotherapist. Various medication techniques help control the state of mind and early symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Electroconvulsive Therapy(ECT)
This therapy includes the use of electric stimulation to induce seizures in the brain. It is an additional option and is only used to treat severe episodes of mania and depression. Since it includes side effects and has no clear outcomes, there is still a question about its effectiveness. Various studies show that people who undergo electroconvulsive therapy experience the side effects like loss of memory, anxiety, headache, and confusion.
Support or Care
Joining support or care is also effective in treating bipolar disorder. Various online websites like the National Institute Of Mental Health provide complete guidance and support on bipolar disorder. Here you will get updated details and data on the early symptoms, possible therapies, and top-rated therapists in the United States.
In case, you have suicidal thoughts or severe anxiety, call 911 for getting emergency medical care. Dial the National Suicidal Prevention Lifeline toll-free no: (800-273-8255) for getting immediate help.
Medications For Bipolar Disorder
Various medications are effective in treating bipolar disorder. It is advised to start taking the bipolar disorder medications after consulting with the doctor. He/She may conduct the diagnosis test and suggest you take the medications along with therapy. Here are the possible medications for bipolar disorder:
Antidepressants
This medication is prescribed along with the mood stabilizer. It is effective in managing depression and brings instant relief.
Mood Stabilizer
It is used to control manic episodes. Some of the best-known mood stabilizers are Valproic acid, Lithobid, divalproex sodium, lamotrigine, etc.
Antipsychotics
Doctors suggest taking antipsychotics along with mood stabilizers to control the severe episodes of bipolar disorder. Some of the well-known antipsychotics are Quetiapine, Ziprasidone, Lurasidone, Asenapine, etc.
Should A Bipolar Woman Have A Baby?
Getting pregnant with bipolar disorder raises the biggest question about the health of the unborn baby. Should you take this risk or avoid it at any cost? Like you, millions of women out there have this question. It is advised to avoid having a baby if you suffer from severe episodes of manic depression.
There is a higher risk that your baby will have some side effects in the future. Moreover, there is clear evidence that bipolar disorder can pass from one generation to another. You need to get the therapy or medication to get in a stable state before planning to have a baby. In addition, you can consult with a doctor regarding it to make an informed decision.
Wrap Up
Getting depressed or overjoyed can be the symptoms of bipolar disorder. It is a mental condition that affects the majority of women in the United States and other parts of the world. However, it is hard to diagnose bipolar symptoms in women without having the proper test. You might feel frequent episodes of mania or depression that last for weeks or even months.
Some of the early symptoms of bipolar disorder are difficulty in breathing, the feeling of guilt, lack of interest, and many more. The right therapy or medications can help in controlling this condition. We hope you received all the essential information about bipolar disorder in this post. If your depression or mania gets uncontrolled, we suggest you reach out to a therapist.
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