Some people suffer from temporary bouts of anxiety and even feel depressed at times. But those who have bipolar and anxiety disorders can undergo severe mood swings, some long-lasting, which affect their personal lives and jobs, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. People with anxiety disorder can also suffer from bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder can, likewise, experience periods of anxiety. The disorders have varying symptoms, but they are treatable with medication and therapy.
Bipolar Manic Behavior
Bipolar disorder is also referred to as manic-depression because of the unusual shifts in the person's mood that can last for days or weeks. Patients can go from an extremely elevated mood to a severely depressed mood. During the manic period, symptoms can include excessive energy, restlessness, racing thoughts, irritability, distraction, irrational beliefs and a denial that anything they are doing is wrong. The person might also exhibit extreme changes in behavior such as an increased sexual drive, the urge for spending sprees, aggressive behavior or a tendency to abuse drugs and alcohol.
Bipolar Depressive Behavior
The depressive episodes of bipolar disorder can last for weeks. Signs may include unending sadness, feelings of fatigue or loss of energy, a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, and feelings of hopelessness, guilt and helplessness. There may be difficulties with memory or concentrating, irritability, sleep disorders and changes in eating habits. In severe cases, it can lead to thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts. Some bipolar patients might go through long periods of varying moods rather than separate periods of depression and manic behavior, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Anxiety Disorder
There are several types of anxiety disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder, also called GAD, includes excessive worrying about health, money, career or other issues. People worry about these things from time to time, but people with a serious anxiety disorder will have unrealistic worries that can last for months. It may result in trembling, insomnia, stomach problems, dizziness or constant irritability.
People with obsessive-compulsive disorder can have irrational fears about catching germs or acting improperly. They might perform obsessive routines such as washing their hands or repeating phrases.
Panic disorder causes severe panic attacks that can result in palpitations of the heart, chest pain, sweating, trembling, unrealistic fears or feelings of losing control.
Post-traumatic stress disorder usually occurs after a traumatic event. The person may continually relive the event, avoid places associated with the event or stay away from people, in general. Phobias, such as fear of heights or spiders, and fear of social situations, are also described as anxiety disorders.
Bipolar/Anxiety Disorder
People who have co-occurrences of these two disorders may have an increased likelihood of substance abuse and suicide attempts. There might be manic and depressive episodes that can mimic various symptoms of anxiety disorders. There may be increased insomnia because of persistent anxiety. The person might also suffer from nervousness, worry, irrational fears and panic attacks. Treating the two disorders is difficult for therapists because they have to find the right medication combination to deal with the specific symptoms.
