Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a condition that affects your mood. You're likely to have periods when your mood switches between:

• mania, which means feeling very high and overactive (less severe mania is called hypomania)
• depression, which means feeling very low and lethargic

With bipolar disorder, the symptoms you have depend on which mood you're going through at the time.

When you're going through a period of depression in bipolar disorder, you might feel:

• down, upset or tearful
• guilt and despair
• agitated
• tense
• tired or sluggish
• uninterested in everyday things
• empty
• suicidal

You may also feel like you:

• can't concentrate or remember things
• can't sleep, or wake up early
• have no appetite

High moods in bipolar disorder can be severe, which is called mania, or mild, which is called hypomania.

During a manic period of bipolar disorder, you may feel:

• very happy, elated or overjoyed
• full of energy
• self-important
• full of great new ideas and important plans
• easily irritated or agitated
• alert

It may also make you:

• have a high sex drive
• talk very quickly
• get distracted easily
• not want to eat
• do things with harmful consequences, like spending large sums of money, driving dangerously or getting drunk
• say or do things that are out of character

The pattern of mood swings in bipolar disorder is different from one person to the next. Some people have only a few episodes in their whole lifetime and stay stable in between. Others have many episodes.

You may find that depression comes more often than mania, or the other way around.

Some people also have:

• rapid cycling, which means repeated swings from a high to a low without a "normal" period in between
• mixed state, which is when you have symptoms of depression and mania together

Speak to your doctor if you have:

• extreme changes in your moods that last a long time or affect your everyday life
• been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and your treatments are not helping (or speak to your mental health specialist if you have one)

If you're worried about someone else, encourage them to speak to their doctor. You can also call a doctor or the 16263 health line yourself for advice.

Bipolar disorder is common, and anyone can develop it.

If you're worried you could have symptoms of bipolar disorder, speak to your doctor. They may refer you to a psychiatrist (a qualified mental health specialist). You can take someone you trust with you when you go to see the psychiatrist.

The psychiatrist will ask about:

• the type of symptoms you have
• when you first experienced symptoms
• how you've felt recently
• your medical background
• your family history

They'll also ask if you've had thoughts about harming yourself. All of this helps the psychiatrist decide which treatments are best for you.

Most people with bipolar disorder are treated with a combination of approaches. This can include:

• medicine
• talking therapy
• making lifestyle changes, like exercising regularly and improving your diet

The aim of treatment is to reduce how severe your bipolar episodes are and how often they happen.

Doctors don't know exactly what causes bipolar disorder. Several factors seem to work together and can make you more likely to develop it. These include:

• chemical imbalances in the brain
• genetics, because it can run in families
• stressful life events, like the breakdown of a relationship, problems with money or physical illness

If you have bipolar disorder and you're trying to get pregnant, talk to your doctor. They'll help you stay well before, during and after the pregnancy.

Some people with bipolar disorder find it easy to talk to family and friends. Others feel more comfortable turning to charities and support groups.

Many organisations run support groups. They can put you in touch with other people who have the condition, which helps you share ideas and may show you that you're not alone.

Some organisations also offer online support through forums and blogs.

If you're recovering from bipolar disorder, taking care of your general health can give you more control over how that recovery goes.

• try to keep a regular routine
• get plenty of sleep
• eat a healthy diet
• exercise regularly

• Stay away from recreational drugs
• Don't smoke
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol
• Steer clear of shift work or very long working hours if you can avoid it
• Stay off night flights and flights across time zones if you can avoid it
• Don't drink lots of caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea or cola

Living with or caring for someone who has bipolar disorder can be hard. The person's behaviour may change, and relationships can feel the strain.

You may find it helpful to talk to a support group. If you need specialist support, you can also contact a counsellor.

You can get further information and support from:

• Bipolar Scotland
• Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH)

Don't include personal information, for example your name, location or any personal health conditions.