Personality Change in Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder can be confusing and frustrating to deal with, for both the person with the disorder and their loved ones. Understanding symptoms which affect the personality can comfort those involved.

Mood Swings

• Bipolar disorder is distinguished by periodic episodes that unfortunately affect personality. While each individual is unique, symptoms can include irritability, rages, irrational thoughts, paranoia, euphoria, loss of inhibitions, impulsiveness, rash spending, heightened sexuality, depression, hopelessness, negativity, suicidal thoughts and more.

Recovery

• Depending on the length of the bipolar episode, it can take a few days to several months after an episode for a person to fully recover. Especially regarding personality, it takes time for an individual to "feel like himself" again.

Long-term Effects

• There can sometimes be a decrease in cognitive functioning after successive bipolar disorder episodes. This does not necessarily affect the personality, but may result in poor memory or difficulty concentrating.

Don't Talk to the Illness

• Reasoning with someone in a bipolar disorder episode is sometimes impossible. Don't try to talk to the illness and or take things which are said personally.

Warning

• The deeper into a bipolar disorder episode a person gets the more help he needs, but the less likely he is to think he needs it. Advance care directives, written by the patient, ensure care consistent with his true wishes and personality.