Pain Associated With Bipolar Disorder

Manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, is a serious psychological disorder characterized by rapid mood swings. Those suffering from manic depression, as the name implies, experience periods of mania usually followed by extreme depression. Pain can be experienced by those with this disorder for many different reasons, both physical and psychological.

Emotional Pain

• The emotional pain associated with manic depression is immeasurable. Those suffering from manic depression suffer from severe depression on a regular basis. Many also suffer from extreme guilt over actions committed while manic. It is important for the emotional suffering of bipolar patients to be put under control as left untreated it can lead to suicide. Antidepressants can be prescribed, but can only be used in combination with a mood stabilizer or else the antidepressant can trigger a manic episode.

Side Effects

• All medications prescribed for the treatment of manic depression carry side effects that can cause physical pain. Upset stomach and stomach pain are the most common side effects associated with mood stabilizers and antidepressants. Some antidepressants can also cause frequent headaches. Most of these side effects go away or lessen after the first few months of treatment. If they persist or are too unbearable, the prescribing psychiatrist may decide to change medications.

Stress

• Those with manic depression are more prone to stress than the average person. Stress can cause a number of physical symptoms that result in pain. Some of these are actual physical problems like irritable bowel syndrome, but most pain associated with stress is psychosomatic. This means that there is no actual physical cause for the pain, but rather the stress is causing the appearance of it. Psychosomatic pain can also occur during periods of depression.

Substance Abuse

• Substance abuse and manic depression are closely linked. Substance abuse is even considered a symptom of manic depression. Those not receiving treatment are likely to turn to alcohol and other drugs to self-medicate. These substances have a detrimental effect on the body that can cause physical pain. In addition, persons physically dependent on these substances may feel pain when not using them as a side effect of withdrawal.

Self-Inflicted

• Most people are familiar with the concept of "cutting" or self-inflicted injury. Those with manic depression may injure themselves in some way in an attempt to drown out the emotional pain of depression. Some may even cut when manic for a variety of reasons. This practice is dangerous and can sometimes lead to accidental suicide. Although not all people with manic depression cut themselves, it is very common in people with this disorder.