Do I have Bipolar Disorder?
How Counselling Can Help You Through
Getting The Facts on Bipolar Disorder
If you or someone you know has bipolar disorder, it can be overwhelming to gather information on this mental illness.
Each website may have different statistics, while others may jam-pack too much unnecessary info into their webpage.
Let’s make this simple and easy to understand. Here are some important facts to note when it comes to bipolar disorder:
Forty-six million people globally are diagnosed with bipolar disorder. However, this number is thought to be higher since limited access to mental health care, and a societal stigma around mental illness still exists.
50% of people living with bipolar disorder go untreated.
30% - 50% of people with untreated bipolar disorder suffer from substance abuse.
Bipolar disorder is not gender-specific; men and women worldwide are diagnosed at similar rates.
The average age of onset is 25 years old. However, it can start to appear as early as 13.
The average length of a bipolar episode is around 13 weeks. Although, each person’s experience is unique and can vary.
Country-specific rates of bipolar disorder:
○ United States: 7 million
○ Australia: 568,000
○ United Kingdom: 1.3 million
○ Canada: 390,000
○ Iran: 688,000
○ Germany: 1 million
○ China: 15 million
How Do I Know If I Have Bipolar Disorder?
To assess if you have bipolar disorder, let’s touch on what bipolar disorder is.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes people to experience extreme mood swings ranging from low (depression) to high (mania). These episodes usually last several days or weeks and can disrupt your daily life.
During a depressive episode, people may feel sad, hopeless, irritable, and unmotivated.
During an episode of mania, they may feel unusually energetic, talkative, impulsive, or irritable.
While everyone experiences different levels of these symptoms, some people with bipolar disorder may also experience psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions.
If you think you might have bipolar disorder, it’s essential to seek help from a mental health professional who can provide an accurate diagnosis.
While you won’t know for sure until you are diagnosed, if you experience periods of depression that are longer than two weeks, lasting extreme mood changes, or feeling unusually energised for long stretches, you may be living with untreated bipolar disorder.
It's also important to note that not everyone with bipolar disorder will experience all of these symptoms - some people may only experience one or two. It's best to speak with your healthcare provider if you suspect that you might have the condition so that they can accurately diagnose and get you headed toward treatment.
What Are Some Key Signs of Bipolar Disorder?
As we discussed, the most common sign of the bipolar disorder is extreme shifts in mood. These shifts can range from severe depression to manic highs, lasting from days to weeks.
During those periods of mania or depression, someone with bipolar disorder may experience changes in sleep patterns, appetite, energy levels, concentration, self-esteem, and behaviour.
During these elevated or low moods, people with bipolar disorder may also suffer from anxiety or suicidal ideation. All these symptoms, if left untreated, can cause severe impairment in your day-to-day life and your relationships, finances, and work.
Why Did This Happen to Me?
It’s natural for someone diagnosed with bipolar disorder to ask themselves why this happened to them - after all, there isn't one single cause that explains why someone develops the condition.
Many factors contribute to the development of a bipolar disorder, including genetics, biology (brain chemistry), environmental stressors (trauma), lifestyle factors (poor sleep habits), drug use/abuse, etc., all of which play a role in its onset and development over time.
It's important not to blame yourself for having this condition as it is caused by a complex combination of factors that are out of your control — but seeking treatment and taking care of yourself can go a long way towards managing your symptoms effectively.
How Can Counselling Help Me Through?
While many people take medication for bipolar disorder, effective non-medication treatments are also available.
Why Choose Counselling?
If you’re not ready to take medication or if your symptoms are severe enough to warrant it, counselling and other forms of therapy can help manage your condition while bringing about positive changes.
Counselling is often seen as a first step before beginning a medication regimen and can be extremely helpful in setting goals and determining how to reach them.
While medication can assist with some symptoms of bipolar disorder, it doesn't cure the condition. Some people may choose not to take meds simply because they don't want their moods controlled by pharmaceuticals or they have concerns about side effects like weight gain or sexual dysfunction.
Counselling provides a safe place to learn how to manage symptoms of bipolar disorder without medication.
Counselling can help you learn how to manage your symptoms. Sami can teach you how to:
● Cope with your condition
● Manage your symptoms, even when they are not at their best
● Improve your quality of life and relationships, especially if you have been feeling depressed or anxious because of your bipolar disorder
Counselling has proven to be an effective tool for treating many other mental health issues and illnesses
Can counselling help with more than managing your bipolar symptoms?
You’re not the first to have this question, so let’s walk through it.
The short answer is yes; counselling can help you manage your symptoms of bipolar disorder without medication.
But let’s look at the big picture: counselling helps people safely explore their emotions and thoughts with someone who has experience dealing with similar situations. A therapist will help you learn new ways of coping with complicated feelings or symptoms by building skills that will last throughout your life.
Counselling can be used with medication to help treat the full scope of symptoms and effects:
If you’re open to medication, it’s often strongly recommended to engage in counselling simultaneously. Together, these two treatments can help you manage the full effects bipolar disorder has on your life.
In addition to helping manage your illness, it may also teach you how to self-manage your moods without medications (if that's something you'd like to try).
Counselling has been proven to help those with bipolar disorder deal with their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Bipolar disorder is a severe mental illness that affects millions of people worldwide each year. While there is no cure for this condition, effective treatments can help individuals manage their symptoms and lead productive lives.
It's essential to stay informed about its symptoms and treatments to manage this condition better if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
With proper care and treatment options available today, there’s no reason why you can’t live a full, satisfying life.
Resources:
https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/psychotherapy-bipolar-disorder