Bipolar I
What is bipolar I disorder?
Bipolar I disorder is a condition that causes periods of severe changes in your mood, activity levels, energy, and ability to carry out everyday tasks. These changes are commonly called “mood episodes.”
Although you may feel like you’re the only one if it’s happening to you, there are 3 million Americans affected by bipolar I disorder each year.
While anyone can develop bipolar I disorder, it often starts in the late teen or early adult years and it lasts a lifetime. Children and older adults may develop bipolar I disorder as well.
Medical researchers believe that it can result from many factors, including an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters, which may be too high or too low.
Did you know?
Bipolar I disorder often runs in families. If you have a family history of bipolar I disorder, be sure to let your healthcare provider know.
What are the symptoms of bipolar I?
Bipolar I disorder can cause unpredictable high and low mood swings, also known as manic and depressive episodes.
It’s impossible to predict how long mood episodes may last. You might be severely depressed for a brief or extended period of time before entering into a manic episode. Mania could last anywhere from a week to months as well. You may even experience manic and depressive symptoms at the same time, which is known as a mixed episode.
Read on to learn more about the range of symptoms people with bipolar I disorder may experience.
Symptoms to consider talking to your healthcare provider about
Select a mood state below to see common symptoms. Not all of these symptoms may be indicative of bipolar I.
Commonly referred to as the "lows," depressive symptoms include at least five of the following, lasting for at least two weeks:
Feeling very down or sad
Feeling worried and empty
Sleeping too much or too little
Changes in appetite or weight
Having little to no interest or pleasure in your hobbies
Having trouble concentrating
Thinking about death or suicide
Feeling like you can’t enjoy anything
Forgetting things a lot
Having trouble sleeping
Feeling very down or sad
Feeling worried and empty
Sleeping too much or too little
Changes in appetite or weight
Having little to no interest
or pleasure in your hobbies
Having trouble concentrating
Forgetting things a lot
Thinking about death or suicide
Having trouble sleeping
Feeling like you can’t enjoy anything
Mixed episodes occur when highs and lows are experienced at the same time. For example, you may be having a mixed episode if you’re:
Having trouble concentrating
Having too much energy while feeling very sad
Behaving impulsively
Thinking about death or suicide
Feeling exhausted but overly wired
Feeling jumpy or wired
Feeling like you can't enjoy anything
Being talkative while pessimistic
Feeling like your thoughts are coming very fast
Forgetting things a lot
Behaving impulsively while feeling exhausted
Becoming more active than usual
Having trouble sleeping
Having higher than usual energy levels
Having trouble concentrating
Forgetting things a lot
Thinking about death or suicide
Having trouble sleeping
Feeling like you can't enjoy anything
Feeling exhausted but overly wired
Having too much energy
while feeling very sad
Being talkative while pessimistic
Behaving impulsively
while feeling exhausted
Behaving impulsively
Feeling jumpy or wired
Feeling like your thoughts
are coming very fast
Becoming more active than usual
Having higher than usual energy levels
Commonly referred to as the "highs," manic symptoms include at least three of the following (four if the mood is only irritable), lasting for at least one week:
Behaving impulsively
Feeling jumpy or wired
Feeling like your thoughts are coming very fast
Becoming more active than usual
Having higher than usual energy levels
Being agitated, irritable, or touchy
Not feeling tired or needing little sleep
Talking really fast about a lot of different things
Thinking you can do a lot of things at once
Feeling overconfident in your abilities
Behaving impulsively
Feeling jumpy or wired
Feeling like your thoughts
are coming very fast
Becoming more active than usual
Having higher than usual energy levels
Being agitated, irritable, or touchy
Not feeling tired or needing little sleep
Talking really fast about a
lot of different things
Thinking you can do a lot
of things at once
Feeling overconfident
in your abilities
Do these symptoms sound familiar?
Complete this questionnaire and share the results with your healthcare provider.
What can trigger bipolar I episodes?
When you have bipolar I, it can seem like your mood episodes are random.
But both depressive and manic episodes are often triggered by something. Being aware of your triggers or warning signs can help you in managing your mood episodes.
Common triggers for bipolar I disorder may include:
- Sleep deprivation
- Medications
- Seasonal changes
- Substance abuse
Some triggers you can control or manage, while others you may not. Be sure to discuss your triggers with your doctor.
Use “My Mood Tracker” to record your symptoms each day and help your healthcare provider spot warning signs of bipolar I disorder.
Approaches to managing bipolar I
My journey to a bipolar I diagnosis
How is it diagnosed?
Bipolar I can go unrecognized for years by not only those who suffer with it, but by family, friends, and even healthcare providers. Manic symptoms are reported less often than depressive ones for most people with bipolar I, so healthcare providers may only see, and therefore treat, symptoms of depression instead of bipolar I disorder.
The first step: If you think you may have bipolar I, talk with a doctor. They can complete a physical exam to rule out other conditions.
Find a Healthcare Professional
Why this matters: People with bipolar disorder often have other health problems including substance abuse, anxiety disorders, thyroid disease, heart disease, and obesity. These conditions can have similar symptoms to bipolar I, which can complicate the diagnosis of bipolar I disorder.
Bipolar I depression
is different
Bipolar refers to the opposite ends (the poles) of the emotional spectrum—lows (depression) and the highs (mania). On top of the deep, unshakeable sadness or emptiness felt by patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), patients with bipolar I also experience manic episodes. Treatments for MDD may not be effective for patients with bipolar I disorder, so it’s important to get the right diagnosis.
How is it treated?
An effective treatment plan for bipolar I often includes a combination of medication, talk therapy, support groups, and improving overall health and wellness.
However, the cornerstone of every treatment plan is medication and finding the right one for you could take some time. Some people may require more than one medication to experience relief.
Your healthcare provider will start the process by evaluating your symptoms and treatments. So, it’s critical to share all the symptoms you’re experiencing now or have experienced in the past, as well as the medications you’re taking now or have taken in the past.
It’s difficult to be
patient when bipolar I
affects your life
Maybe you've already tried a lot of solutions. You want to get your bipolar I under control, and so does your healthcare provider.
If you are experiencing symptoms like extreme highs and lows of your mood, let your healthcare provider know. Ask if VRAYLAR may help.
Additional Resources:
Tips for Managing Bipolar I
Discover tips that may
help manage your
bipolar I disorder
Bipolar I Support
Sign up for wellness
support from My
Mood Matters
Bipolar I Questionnaire
Take this quiz that could
help your doctor determine
whether you may have
bipolar I disorder
