Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by extreme highs, or mania, and extreme lows, or depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 5.7 million adult Americans have bipolar disorder every year. Bipolar disorder is most commonly treated with mood stabilizing medications, therapy and lifestyle changes. Exercise can help alleviate symptoms of the disorder and help regulate moods.
Features
People with bipolar disorder, or manic depressive illness, suffer from intense mood swings, oscillating between "highs" and "lows" and are prone to suicidal thoughts during depressed times. During manic episodes, those with bipolar disorder tend to experience racing thoughts, an exaggerated sense of self, excitability, reckless behavior, reduced sleeping, overindulgence in activities such as shopping or gambling and may be very irritable. During depressed episodes, on the other hand, bipolar people feel sadness, loneliness, low self-esteem, guilt, tiredness, anxiety, increased sleeping and sometimes suicidal thoughts.
Considerations
Bipolar disorder is believed to be caused by a mix of genetic and environmental factors. People who have a parent with bipolar disorder are more likely to develop bipolar disorder. In addition, extreme stress and an unstable upbringing can trigger bipolar disorder. According to the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, exercise helps relieve stress and curbs cycling between moods in bipolar youth.
Expert Insight
Gary Sachs, M.D., Director of the Bipolar Clinic and Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, confirms that exercise helps bipolar patients because it helps elevate moods during depressed episodes, as well as helps the body establish regular sleep patterns. People with bipolar disorder tend to sleep large amounts when depressed, and exercise boosts energy level, which helps increase waking hours. When people are in manic states, on the other hand, they do not sleep enough, and exercise works the body's muscles, which encourages relaxation and sleep.
Benefits
Exercise helps combat stress by reducing feelings of anxiety, depression and hopelessness. Long, continuous aerobic exercise releases endorphins from the brain, which gives a feeling of euphoria and well-being. Endorphins are a natural antidote to depression, as they elevate mood. People with bipolar disorder can also benefit from exercise when they are manic, as exercise offers a chance to get out excess energy and relieve irritability and stress caused by cycling moods.
Prevention/Solution
Experts such as Dr. Sachs recommend that bipolar patients exercise as a natural way to help regulate moods and sleep. When combined with a holistic approach to treatment, including medication and therapy, exercise can be beneficial in curtailing the extreme moods of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder can vary in intensity and form from person to person, however, and should be treated by a licensed mental health professional.
