How a person with bipolar thinks

I get it. I’ve struggled with that same dilemma, and I know many other people have, too. It’s very hard sometimes to figure out whether my moods are actually bipolar symptoms. Take this morning: I was scrambling some eggs while listening to music when a song I like (“Pump It Up” by Elvis Costello) came on. I started to dance and sing along with a wooden spoon as my would-be mic. In tribute to the lyrics, I pumped my arms up over my head and spun around and around until I was dizzy. The same thing happens to me with sadness. During the recent spate of storms in Southern California, several trees on my hillside toppled. The rains seem to be over now, but I can’t stop mourning the loss of those trees. Nobody was hurt, my house is intact, and there’s no legitimate reason for me to still be so sad. Nevertheless, I feel an ache in my heart that wasn’t there before. Is it possible I’ve gone over to the dark side and invited When is it mental illness, and when is it just life? That’s one of the biggest challenges of being bipolar: You always have to be on guard, cross-examining your feelings to make sure you’re not missing something that really ought to be medicated. But I know now—a knowledge gleaned from many years of experience—not to let suspect symptoms manifest for too long. I can do terrible things to my life when I’m full-blown manic, like spending literally all my money or inviting total strangers into my bed. It’s better to catch myself on the upswing before I wreck my f...

Someone with bipolar disorder thinks primarily the same way any other “typical” person does. The difference is in the moods that influence their thoughts and behaviors. People with mood disorders generally have difficulty keeping “how they feel” distinct from “how they think,” and emotions tend to blend into thought processes. Those with bipolar disorder experience grand shifts in mood ranging from depression to mania, with their thoughts sometimes reflecting very negative or overtly euphoric emotional states. What is Bipolar Disorder? There are different types of bipolar disorders (such as There are five commonly diagnosed types of bipolar disorder: 1 • Bipolar I: This is characterized by experiencing a manic episode lasting at least a week and may also involve experiencing abnormally elevated moods and a major depressive episode. The key attribute of the Bipolar I diagnosis is the presence of at least one manic episode.

People with bipolar disorder can experience dramatic alterations in mood and activity levels, sleep disruption, and a range of other features and behavior patterns. The disorder may also affect the way a person thinks, and possibly their memory. For some people with However, this is not true for everyone. The authors of a 2012 Share on Pinterest Garage Island Crew/Stocksy Some people with bipolar disorder may find it harder to think, to reason, and to remember things. Changes in thinking that can occur as people go through the different phases include: • changes in attention span and focus • racing thoughts during a high, or manic, phase • • difficulty remembering things • in some cases, As a person’s mood shifts, they may report changes in their memory, too. As the mood becomes more extreme, memory problems can increase. Scientists have suggested that some people with bipolar disorder experience memory problems due to changes in the brain. These could involve changes in: The prefrontal cortex, which The hippocampus, which plays an essential role in storing memories. The anterior cingulate cortex, which Imaging tests have shown that as a person’s mood shifts, variations in the way that blood flows into corresponding areas of the brain also occur. Some people with bipolar disorder Here are some types of memory where problems might occur: Working memory: This stores information for a short time while a person carries out a mental task. Verbal learning and memory: This enable...

Bipolar disorder can affect the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. This includes how they act in romantic relationships or when dating someone. Managing treatment and learning about the condition can help with long-term partnerships. People with This article discusses how bipolar disorder may impact relationships. It also provides relationship tips for a person with bipolar disorder and their partner. Share on Pinterest Nuria Seguí/Stocksy Well-managed bipolar disorder need not be a barrier to healthy, long term partnerships. It is likely to be the symptoms of bipolar disorder, not the condition itself, that may cause relationship problems. There are many ways to treat bipolar disorder. A combination of medication and With the right treatment, people with bipolar disorder may have long periods during which their mood is stable. Or, they may only have mild symptoms, which are unlikely to significantly affect their relationship. Manic episodes Without effective treatment, Risk taking behaviors, such as spending sprees or binge drinking, may happen during a manic episode. These behaviors may create tension within a relationship. Depressive episodes If the person with bipolar disorder experiences major depressive symptoms, they may be less communicative during a period of Having low self-esteem may reduce a person’s sex drive, or they may feel less affectionate. It can be difficult for a person’s partner to know what to say or do to help. They may feel rejected, mistakin...

Psychosis is not an illness in and of itself, but a symptom of an underlying disorder. Roughly 3% of the U.S. population will experience psychosis during their lifetime, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, whether they have a mental disorder or not. In fact, there's an array of non-psychiatric conditions that cause psychoses, including: • A decrease in performance at work or at school • A sudden decline in self-care or personal hygiene • Being unable to do things you normally can • Confused speech or trouble communicating, such as changing topics rapidly or speaking incoherently • Difficulty telling reality from fantasy • Extreme changes in sleeping or eating patterns • Having trouble focusing and concentrating • Saying or doing bizarre things that don't reflect reality • Spending a lot more time alone than usual • Strong, inappropriate emotions or having no feelings at all • Suddenly losing interest in the things you used to enjoy • Suspiciousness or uneasiness with others • Delusions of grandeur: Believing that you're famous or publicly important or that you're a god. • Delusional jealousy: Believing that your spouse or partner is being unfaithful when they are not. • Persecutory or paranoid delusions:Suspecting that you are being followed, spied on, secretly listened to, or the like. • Somatic delusions: Believing that you have a certain medical condition or physical defect. • Delusions of reference:Thinking that random events contain a special meaning...

Caring for someone with It’s tough to strike a balance. You want to be supportive and empathetic, because you know the person with bipolar disorder isn’t to blame for their illness. But their behavior may affect you, and you have to take care of yourself and your needs, not just theirs. Very often in bipolar disorder, people with Although there's no easy solution, these tips may help. Learn. Read information from reputable websites, books, and articles that explain the condition. The more you know, the better. Listen. Pay attention to what your loved one has to say. Don't assume that you know what they are going through. Don’t dismiss all of their emotions and feelings as signs of their illness. Someone with bipolar disorder may still have valid points. Notice their symptoms. They may not be able to see it as clearly as you do when their bipolar symptoms are active. Or they may deny it. When you see the warning signs of Do things together. People who are depressed often pull away from others. So encourage your friend or loved one to get out and do things they enjoy. Ask them to join you for a walk or a dinner out. If they say no, let it go. Ask again a few days later. Make a plan. Because bipolar disorder can often be an unpredictable illness, you should plan for bad times. Be clear. Agree with your loved one about what to do if their symptoms get worse. Have a plan for emergencies. If you both know what to do and what to expect of each other, you'll feel more confident ab...

• How to Help Someone with Mental Illness Accept Treatment • Bipolar Disorder Treatment • Bipolar Disorder Medication Guide • Bipolar Disorder Test • Bipolar Disorder Symptoms, Causes, Types, and Diagnosis • Bipolar Help: Living with Bipolar Disorder • Are You Feeling Suicidal? • Suicide Prevention • Online Therapy: Is it Right for You? • Mental Health • How can you help someone with bipolar disorder? • Bipolar disorder and the family • Convincing a person with bipolar disorder to see a doctor • Supporting a loved one during bipolar disorder treatment • Watch for warning signs of bipolar disorder relapse • Coping with mania and depression: Tips for family and friends • Taking care of yourself when a loved one has bipolar disorder By , and • How can you help someone with bipolar disorder? • Bipolar disorder and the family • Convincing a person with bipolar disorder to see a doctor • Supporting a loved one during bipolar disorder treatment • Watch for warning signs of bipolar disorder relapse • Coping with mania and depression: Tips for family and friends • Taking care of yourself when a loved one has bipolar disorder How can you help someone with bipolar disorder? Dealing with the ups and downs of bipolar disorder can be difficult—and not just for the person with the illness. The moods and behaviors of a person with bipolar disorder affect everyone around—especially family members and close friends. It can put a strain on your relationship and disrupt all aspects of family ...

• Home • Addiction • Alcoholism • Heroin Addiction • Meth Addiction • Opiate Addiction • Benzo Addiction • Pill Addiction • Mental Health • Depression • Stress • Anxiety • Trauma • Psychosis • Bi-polar • Mood Disorders • Personality Disorders • Dual Diagnosis • Treatment Options • Detox • Residential • Outpatient • Telehealth • Holistic Based Treatment • 12 Step Based Treatment • Teen Treatment Programs • Blog • Contact • There are several misconceptions regarding people with bipolar disorder. They are often considered as unstable, untrustworthy, unpredictable, and with an inability to take care of themselves. They are assumed to have mood swings while lacking emotional balance. People consider them dangerous with a potential risk of self-harm. However, these are only myths. Though people with bipolar disorder think differently, with effective treatment they can manage their lives well. Adequate information about the symptoms of bipolar disorder, nature of the illness and treatment options is crucial to help them deal with it. To understand how a person with bipolar disorder thinks, we need to know about the disorder first. Bipolar is an acute psychological disorder that creates mood instability. The person experiences manic episodes, followed by hypomanic episodes (that can remain for several weeks), and depressive episodes. According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, approximately 5.7 million people (about twice the population of Arkansas) in the United Sta...

People with bipolar disorder can experience dramatic alterations in mood and activity levels, sleep disruption, and a range of other features and behavior patterns. The disorder may also affect the way a person thinks, and possibly their memory. For some people with However, this is not true for everyone. The authors of a 2012 Share on Pinterest Garage Island Crew/Stocksy Some people with bipolar disorder may find it harder to think, to reason, and to remember things. Changes in thinking that can occur as people go through the different phases include: • changes in attention span and focus • racing thoughts during a high, or manic, phase • • difficulty remembering things • in some cases, As a person’s mood shifts, they may report changes in their memory, too. As the mood becomes more extreme, memory problems can increase. Scientists have suggested that some people with bipolar disorder experience memory problems due to changes in the brain. These could involve changes in: The prefrontal cortex, which The hippocampus, which plays an essential role in storing memories. The anterior cingulate cortex, which Imaging tests have shown that as a person’s mood shifts, variations in the way that blood flows into corresponding areas of the brain also occur. Some people with bipolar disorder Here are some types of memory where problems might occur: Working memory: This stores information for a short time while a person carries out a mental task. Verbal learning and memory: This enable...

I get it. I’ve struggled with that same dilemma, and I know many other people have, too. It’s very hard sometimes to figure out whether my moods are actually bipolar symptoms. Take this morning: I was scrambling some eggs while listening to music when a song I like (“Pump It Up” by Elvis Costello) came on. I started to dance and sing along with a wooden spoon as my would-be mic. In tribute to the lyrics, I pumped my arms up over my head and spun around and around until I was dizzy. The same thing happens to me with sadness. During the recent spate of storms in Southern California, several trees on my hillside toppled. The rains seem to be over now, but I can’t stop mourning the loss of those trees. Nobody was hurt, my house is intact, and there’s no legitimate reason for me to still be so sad. Nevertheless, I feel an ache in my heart that wasn’t there before. Is it possible I’ve gone over to the dark side and invited When is it mental illness, and when is it just life? That’s one of the biggest challenges of being bipolar: You always have to be on guard, cross-examining your feelings to make sure you’re not missing something that really ought to be medicated. But I know now—a knowledge gleaned from many years of experience—not to let suspect symptoms manifest for too long. I can do terrible things to my life when I’m full-blown manic, like spending literally all my money or inviting total strangers into my bed. It’s better to catch myself on the upswing before I wreck my f...