Bipolar disorder, which was known as manic depression previously, is a mental illness characterized by extreme mood swings between high and low moods. Some individuals with this disorder may never experience a “normal” mood. If you experience alternating periods of depression and mania, each lasting several weeks, you may be suffering from bipolar disorder.
Symptoms of the depressed phase may include:
- Feeling sad and hopelessÂ
- Uncontrollable crying
- Anxiety
- Lacking energy
- Loss of interest in daily activities
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Feeling of excessive guilt
- Suicidal thoughts and urges
Symptoms of the manic phase may include:
- Feeling full of energy
- Unusual talkativeness
- Exaggerated sense of well-being and self-confidence
- Little need for sleep
- Inflated self-esteem
- Excessive happiness
- Being easily distracted
Bipolar disorder can be classified as bipolar I (manic episodes) or bipolar II (hypomanic episodes). The durations and frequencies of these episodes may change from case to case.
If you suspect you have bipolar disorder, counselling in combination with medication can greatly improve your day-to-day functioning and quality of life.
What therapies can help?
Cognitive-behavioral counselling (CBT) can assist individuals with bipolar disorder in coping with symptoms and recognizing when a mood shift is about to occur. CBT can also help someone with bipolar disorder adhere to a treatment plan to minimize the likelihood of relapse.
Our highly specialized and experienced team at Hypoworry Online Counselling provides CBT to individuals suffering from bipolar disorder.
