Are you or someone you love living with bipolar disorder? If you are, you’re familiar with the challenge of managing acute bipolar episodes.
You’re not alone in your experience. Nearly 130,000 people in Texas are estimated to have a serious mood disorder, such as bipolar disorder.
At SUN Behavioral Health Houston, we have experience treating people living with bipolar disorder. We’re dedicated to empowering you to take control of your condition through the right treatment options. We also know how important it is for you to have the information you need to understand your condition. That's why today we’re explaining what tools you can use to supplement your medical treatment when managing acute bipolar episodes.
What You Should Know About Acute Bipolar Episodes
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mood condition that causes you to experience acute manic and depressive episodes. Typically, these episodes begin in late adolescence or early adulthood.
An acute manic episode is a period of extremely elevated mood. During this time, you’ll speak very quickly, have an inflated sense of self, and be more likely to make impulsive choices that could impact you long-term. This could include spending money you don’t have or deciding to quit your job.
On the other hand, an acute depressive episode causes a very low mood. When you’re in the midst of a depressive episode, you will speak more slowly than usual, feel a sense of hopelessness or emptiness about who you are, and have a difficult time making decisions on your own.
There are two types of bipolar disorder that cause acute episodes:
- Bipolar I: Mania. People living with bipolar I experience manic episodes that last for at least one week. These episodes are intense enough to be disruptive to daily activities of living, like performance at work or school, but they’re not always obvious to the person who’s experiencing them. It’s common for people living with bipolar I to have depressive episodes as well as manic ones. However, experiencing a depressive episode is not a requirement for a bipolar I diagnosis.
- Bipolar II: Depression. If you’re living with bipolar II, you will experience an acute depressive episode that lasts for at least two weeks. When a depressive episode goes untreated, it could end up lasting for months or longer. While depression is not always as obvious as mania, its symptoms still make it difficult to complete tasks of daily living. With a bipolar II diagnosis, you won’t experience acute mania. Instead, you’ll have hypomania, which isn’t as intense and doesn’t last as long. You might even have a hard time recognizing hypomania because it feels like a welcome reprieve from the depressive symptoms.
Recognizing and Managing Acute Manic Episodes
In order to successfully manage acute manic episodes, you have to first be able to recognize them.
Common symptoms of a manic episode include:
- Feeling much more talkative than usual or talking so much and so fast that others can’t interject.
- Experiencing racing thoughts or having lots of thoughts on many topics simultaneously (also known as a “flight of ideas”).
- Getting obsessed with and totally absorbed in an activity.
- Participating in purposeless movements, like pacing around your home or constantly fidgeting while sitting.
- Extreme happiness, excitement, or euphoria.
- Not feeling the need to sleep or only sleeping for a few hours, but still feeling rested.
- Being distracted very easily by unimportant or unrelated things.
When it comes to managing bipolar disorder as a whole, both medication and talk therapy are important tools. They can help keep acute episodes at bay, empower you to recognize your symptoms when they do occur, and give you the coping mechanisms you need to manage those symptoms. If you believe that you’re experiencing manic symptoms, you should always reach out to trusted family members and medical professionals who can work with you to manage your symptoms.
When you’re experiencing mania, it is vital that you do not make major life decisions, forego big financial purchases, and limit situations where you might make reckless decisions. These can have major long-term consequences.
During a manic episode, it’s important to take care of yourself. Prioritizing a consistent schedule can help you take control. Go to bed at the same time, even when you’re not tired, and eat regularly, even if you don’t feel hunger cues. Avoid substances like alcohol, caffeine, and illegal substances to prevent your symptoms from getting worse. Choose calming environments when you can, do relaxing activities, and use breathing techniques to help soothe your mind.
Recognizing and Managing Acute Depressive Episodes
The symptoms of an acute depressive episode differ depending on the individual. Regardless of the symptoms you do have, your experiences are still valid.
Some common symptoms of depression include:
- Sadness that feels completely overwhelming.
- Low energy and fatigue.
- A lack of motivation to complete important tasks.
- A sense of hopelessness or worthlessness.
- No longer enjoying things that were once pleasurable for you.
- Trouble concentrating on tasks.
- Sudden or uncontrollable crying.
- New or worsening irritability.
- Increased need for sleep or sudden inability to sleep (insomnia).
- A change in appetite, causing weight loss or gain.
- Thoughts of death or suicide (suicidal ideation).
If you’re thinking of hurting yourself or someone else, seek mental health care immediately. Suicidal or homicidal ideation is a serious medical emergency, and professionals who are familiar with mental health crises are available to help.
Proper medication and therapy are just as important for treating depressive symptoms as it is for treating the manic symptoms of bipolar disorder. If you have bipolar disorder, your doctor will monitor what antidepressants they prescribe to you, as some can trigger mania.
When you’re going through a depressive episode, completing even basic tasks can feel next to impossible. It’s important to have some self-compassion when you’re going through a difficult time.
When you’re experiencing depression, getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet are two things that can drastically improve your symptoms. Studies have shown that just 30 minutes of daily aerobic exercise significantly improves the symptoms of depression. Practicing mindfulness techniques like meditation or doing yoga can empower you to clear your head and stay in the moment, which helps to minimize depression spirals.
Don’t forget about your social connections during acute depression episodes. Talking to friends and family and participating in social activities is a vital part of managing your symptoms.
What Causes Acute Bipolar Episodes?
Bipolar disorder itself doesn’t have one clear cause, but there are a number of factors that determine whether or not you’re likely to develop the condition. For example, recent studies suggest that genetics plays a role in the development of bipolar disorder. Nearly two-thirds of all people with bipolar disorder have a close blood relative who also lives with the condition, although there is no “bipolar gene.” It’s also likely that factors such as childhood trauma and physical differences in the brain impact whether or not you will develop the condition.
There are also many factors that could trigger individual acute bipolar episodes. Stress is thought to be a major trigger for many people. If you’re going through a stressful life event, like a divorce or even moving homes, it’s important to prioritize your well-being to prevent a bipolar episode. Lack of sleep, which goes hand-in-hand with stress, often precipitates the beginning of a bipolar episode. Make sure you’re getting sufficient rest. It’s also important to note your moods so that you can keep track of major emotional shifts that might indicate the beginning of an episode.
Getting Bipolar Disorder Treatment at SUN Behavioral Health Houston
Managing acute bipolar episodes isn’t easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. The right bipolar treatment plan will empower you to manage your bipolar symptoms and get back to feeling like yourself. Using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), you and your therapist will work together to identify harmful thought patterns that you have during your manic and depressive episodes. The two of you will work to develop coping mechanisms to improve your behaviors. When you do CBT in combination with the right medication, you can take control of your acute bipolar episodes.
SUN Behavioral Health Houston solves unmet needs in the community. We provide treatment for both adults and adolescents living with bipolar disorder. Our team is prepared to take on even urgent bipolar disorder needs through our crisis care center. We are ready to help you learn to manage your symptoms and live a happy, healthy life. To learn more, contact us at 713-497-1325.
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