Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder found in about 2.6 percent of the U.S. population, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. In most cases, bipolar disorder can be managed with medication and/or counseling. Exercise is another recommended strategy for treating many mood disorders.
Symptoms
Bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive disorder, is characterized by mood changes ranging from depression to mania. Depressive symptoms can include loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, changes in sleep and eating patterns and lack of energy. Mania symptoms include a sense of euphoria, heightened senses and increased energy. Bipolar disorder has been divided into two types. People with Bipolar I have at least one manic episode. People with Bipolar II experience hypomania rather than mania. In hypomania, manic symptoms are not severe enough to cause marked impairment in normal functioning and do not create a need for hospitalization.
Impact
Exercise can help improve mood, according to the Mayo Clinic. Exercise can help motivate and energize you when you're tired, and calm you when you're tense or stressed. Exercise releases neurotransmitters and endorphins, brain chemicals that improve depression symptoms. It also reduces immune system chemicals that can worsen depression. Physical activity also increases body temperature, which may have relaxing effects. But most research on mood and exercise has not looked at the specific effects of exercise on bipolar depression and mania.
Research
A 2008 study published in the "International Journal of Social Psychiatry" followed a group of people with severe mental illnesses, such as bipolar or schizophrenia, and found that those with more physical activity experienced more positive mood.A 2007 study published by in the "Journal of Affective Disorders" followed a group of patients with bipolar disorder at a psychiatric unit and found that those who voluntarily participated in a walking program showed improved symptoms. Neither study proved that exercise caused improved symptoms. People who already display improved symptoms may exercise more. However, the studies did show that future studies should further investigate the role of exercise in treatment of bipolar disorder.
Mood Charts
Keeping a mood chart is a helpful way for those with bipolar disorder to recognize mood patterns. People who keep mood charts monitor symptoms, sleep, medications, meals, stressful situations and exercise and try to determine what lifestyle changes contribute to symptoms. If you're trying to determine if exercise helps you manage bipolar symptoms, talk with your health care provider about keeping a mood chart.
Recommendations
The Mayo Clinic recommends that bipolar disorder sufferers get regular exercise to help control symptoms. Anecdotal reports also suggest that it is beneficial. Those with bipolar disorder should not attempt to use exercise as a sole form of treatment, however. Exercise should be used in conjunction with other treatments, including medication and psychological counseling, to effectively manage symptoms of bipolar disorder.
References
- Science Daily: Physical Activity Improves Mood For People Serious Mental Illness
- "Journal of Affective Disorders"; The Effects of Physical Activity in the Acute Treatment of Bipolar Disorder: A Pilot Study; Felicity Ng; 2007
- National Institute of Mental Health: The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America
- Mayo Clinic: Depression and Anxiety: Exercise Eases Symptoms
- Mental Health Today: Exercise and Bipolar Disorder
