Bipolar Disorder

Do you know about 40 million people worldwide experienced bipolar disorder in 2019 (WHO, 2024)? Do you know the number of people with bipolar disorder is increasing sharply in Canada? In 2022, 2.1% of the Canadian population experienced bipolar disorder compared to 1.5% in 2012 (Statistics Canada, 2023).

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that can cause significant changes in an individual’s mood, energy levels, and ability to focus. It (BD) leads to intense emotional states that occur during specific periods of days to weeks, called mood episodes. These mood episodes are categorized as either manic/hypomanic (excessively happy or irritable mood) or depressive (sad mood). It means people who have bipolar disorder are experiencing a dual nature of mood swings ( feelings of happiness and excitement to sadness and hopelessness). Individuals with bipolar disorder also experience periods of neutral mood. It is important to note that such changes could severely impede an individual’s daily routine and have a profound and long-lasting impact on their life. However, with appropriate treatment, individuals with bipolar disorder can lead full and productive lives.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder:

Manic (and Hypomanic) episode

It is important to note that mania and hypomania are two distinct types of episodes; however, they share the same symptoms. It is necessary to experience three or more of these symptoms to classify as either episode. Here are some signs of manic/hypomanic episodes which can occur in individuals with bipolar disorder:

Depressive Episode

If a person is experiencing at least five of the following symptoms for a minimum of two weeks, and experiences them on most days, they are likely going through the depressive phase of bipolar disorder.

Types of Bipolar Disorder:

Bipolar I disorder.

Individuals diagnosed with bipolar I disorder tend to experience clear manic episodes that are typically present for most of the day, nearly every day throughout the episode. These shifts in mood or behaviour are typically not consistent with the person’s usual behaviour and may persist for at least a week. Individuals with bipolar I disorder often experience co-occurring mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s also worth noting that individuals with bipolar I disorder have a higher risk of suicide compared to the general population.

Bipolar II disorder.

Bipolar II disorder is diagnosed when an individual experiences at least one major depressive episode and one hypomanic episode. Typically, people with bipolar II disorder return to their usual level of functioning between episodes. It is quite common for individuals with bipolar II disorder to experience co-occurring mental health issues, such as anxiety disorder or substance use disorder.

Cyclothymic disorder:

Cyclothymic disorder is a type of bipolar disorder that is milder in nature. It is characterized by frequent mood swings that involve both hypomanic and depressive symptoms. However, the symptoms are less severe when compared to bipolar I or II disorder. People with Cyclothymic disorder experience emotional ups and downs that last for at least two years, but the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a hypomanic or depressive episode. During the two years, the symptoms, or mood swings, have lasted for at least half the time and have never stopped for more than two months.