Living With Someone Who Has Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive disorder and according to the DSM-IV, bipolar disorder is characterized by multiple occurrences of mania or mixed episodes, as well as major depressive episodes. Bipolar disorder effects both men and women and can be very scary if you do not know what to expect or what to look for when living with someone who has a bipolar disorder.

Manic Episodes

• Manic episodes are frequently characterized by a lack of sleep, increased speech, shortened attention span and extreme optimism or even grandiose behavior. You will notice that the person will also become irritable and may even begin fights. The sufferer often engages in reckless behavior such as overspending or being hypersexual to the point of having affairs. During mania, you will not be able to control the person or simply stop the behavior.

Hypomania

• Hypomania is a milder form of mania that many people with Bipolar disorder experience between the more severe episodes of mania and depression. During these times, your loved one will still have feelings of exuberance and high energy; however, they will come across as being in a very good mood vs. an actual manic episode. During hypomania, poor decisions can still be made and these episodes can still lead to a major depression or a full manic episode.

Depressive Periods

• Depressive episodes for a person with bipolar disorder are different than they are for those with typical depression. They will speak more slowly; they will have feelings of guilt, and they can have psychotic depression, in which they lose touch with reality while depressed. The bipolar person will sleep more and may even gain weight during a major depressive episode.

Mixed Episodes

• A mixed episode is just that, it is a mixture of both mania and depression. It may be harder to tell when one is happening because there will be anxiety, irritability and very high energy but a very sullen mood. Mixed episodes can be a more dangerous time compared to mania and depression; because of the mixture and you will want to watch your loved one more closely because the chance of suicide actually increases during this time.

Other Illnesses That May Exist

• People with bipolar disorder many times develop alcohol and drug problems. You may see an increase in drinking or trying substances the patient would never have tried before. Anxiety disorders and social phobias can be present as well, such as your loved one having moments of not wanting to leave the house for fear of embarrassing herself or you. Not only that, but according to the National Institute Of Mental Health, migraines, heart disease and diabetes are common among people with bipolar disorder.

Risk Factors

• Additional risk factors for people with bipolar disorder are that it can run in families. Children with a parent or sibling with bipolar disorder are more likely to develop the disorder compared to children where the disorder is not present within the family. Also, your loved one may miss more time from work, and he has a greater chance of being hospitalized due to the disorder.