Bipolar disorder is a mental anomaly categorized by extreme shifts in mood and unstable emotional temperament. Bipolar disorder is considered to be the 6th leading life-altering disability in the world. It is very common due to a long list of reasons. During manic episodes, bipolar individuals can engage in extremely impulsive, risk-taking behavior. Here’s more on this disorder and the reasons behind its prevalence in the general public.
The Probability Of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a disability that’s way more common than people like to believe. When compared to the statistics of other mental health anomalies such as anxiety or depression, the prevalence of bipolar disorder is relatively low. Still, it’s common compared to many other mental health conditions. According to a recent study, around 4.4% of the adult population in the U.S. experiences symptoms of bipolar disorder in their lives at a certain point.
Irregular brain chemistry during critical phases of development can be an obvious culprit behind this issue. Bipolar disorder, when it comes to its probability, can travel through generations. So, if one or both of your parents struggle with it, you might also have it. According to a 2016 study, if someone in the previous generation had it, the chances of you having it increased tenfold.
Although this disorder is equally common among both men and women, women tend to struggle with it more often. Women who struggle with bipolar disorder are more impacted by seasonal changes, as well. Additionally, the probability of having this disorder seems more obvious among women when they reach adulthood.
Today’s world is too stressful to reside in, which further explains why bipolar disorder seems to be so common. Experiencing extremely stressful situations way too often can also increase your chances of being hypomanic. Thus, it would be fair to say that environmental factors have a lot to do with our state of mind.
Bipolar Disorder: 16 Dead Giveaways
Here are sixteen red flags that can indicate that you or someone you know should get in touch with a healthcare professional:
- Extreme mood changes
- Poor judgment
- Sudden surge of energy after feeling sluggish
- Poor sleeping habits
- Lack of appetite
- High sex drive
- Experiencing extremely low right around seasonal changes
- Feeling overly confident over impulsive decisions
- Suicidal ideation
- Exhibiting signs of hostility for no good reason
- Lack of concentration
- Hallucinations and decisions
- Irritability
- Lack of relief despite taking medication for another disease (indicates misdiagnosis)
- Inability to maintain a stable professional career
- Coping through means of excessive drinking or recreational drug use
Bipolar Disorder: What Should Be Your Approach?
When it comes to the diagnosis, its entirely possible that you’ll have to wait quite a long time. Because it can take years for the entire list of symptoms to surface, a large majority of people are often misdiagnosed. Statistically, the probability of you being misdiagnosed with ADHD or schizophrenia might be very high before you land on the right spot.
Taking online tests or answering questionnaires on your own isn’t the right approach. A proper psychiatric evaluation is absolutely necessary. This will ensure that a trained healthcare professional reaches a conclusion by studying your symptoms and other factors of your case history.
During these sessions, a psychologist might study your behavioral patterns, sleeping habits, coping mechanisms, and emotional highs and lows in great detail. Taking this step is necessary to ensure you don’t remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed your entire life.
Final Words
Talk therapy, mood stabilizers, and a few lifestyle changes can stop the symptoms from flaring up so easily. Ketamine therapy is also a commendable option that has proven itself to be beneficial after passing rigorous testing in the last decade. While looking for helpful resources on this treatment option, check out Restoring Wellness Solutions.
