Having bipolar disorder can be like riding a roller coaster. Your emotions can swing from feeling very happy (mania) to feeling very sad (depression). Bipolar disorder used to be called manic depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), about 5.7 million Americans have bipolar disorder. It usually is a lifelong illness.
Mania and Depression
Even with treatment, people with bipolar disorder often still have mood swings. In between these mood swings, however, they might feel as though they don't have any symptoms.
At times, mood swings toward mania may make you feel very happy, with a lot of energy. You may feel as though you can do anything and may not want to rest. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says other symptoms of mania include feeling as if your mind is quickly jumping from one thought to another, having trouble paying attention and trouble sleeping. During periods of mania, you may spend more money than you should and may engage in risky sexual behaviors, such as having unprotected sex.
At other times, mood swings toward depression may make you very sad. You may not want to get out of bed and may not want to do anything. The NIH reports that other symptoms include losing interest in things you used to enjoy. You may find yourself crying easily or not knowing why you are crying. You may feel worthless or hopeless and may have changes in your appetite and/or weight. You also may have trouble sleeping or may want too much sleep. You may think about death and suicide.
Other Health Problems
If you have bipolar disorder, you are at higher risk for other health problems, according to the NIMH and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. For example, substance abuse is common among people with bipolar disorder. Some people with bipolar disorder may try to treat their mood swings with alcohol or drugs.
Anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, also occur more often in people with bipolar disorder. Suicide is a serious risk for people with bipolar disorder; suicidal thinking is a sign that you may need to get help. People with bipolar disorder also may have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which has some symptoms that overlap with bipolar disorder, such as being easily distracted or restless. Bipolar patients are also at higher risk for other physical illnesses, including thyroid disease, migraine headaches, heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
Lifelong Treatment
If you are living with bipolar disorder, the American Academy of Family Physicians advises you to stay in touch with your doctor to talk about your treatment and how you are feeling. It's also helpful to keep a fairly regular routine, such as eating and going to bed at the same times each day.
Make sure you are getting enough sleep, and try to exercise every day if your doctor says it's OK. You also may want to make a plan to help yourself deal with everyday stress and to keep a list of people you can call if you are not feeling well.
