It’s almost guaranteed that at some point, you’ve heard the phrase, “They are so bipolar!” It’s a common phrase that people use to describe anyone with mood shifts.

We all experience mood changes, so that isn’t an accurate way to describe someone if it isn’t true. However, having bipolar disorder is very real. And it can be very challenging for someone to deal with.

Bipolar disorder has two categories, bipolar I and bipolar II. It was formerly referred to as manic depressive disorder.

Maybe you are wondering if you or someone you know is actually bipolar and would like to know more about it. The focus of this post is going to be talking about what bipolar depression is.

Bipolar Disorder Explained

Bipolar I and II both involve symptoms of mania and depression. Mania refers to the episodes of “highs” someone experiences and the depressive (lows) of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Depressive Episodes

The depressive episodes of bipolar disorder are the same ones experienced when someone has major depressive disorder or depression.

No two people will experience bipolar depression episodes the same. Additionally, not every person will experience all of the symptoms from the following list.

Changes in appetite
Sleeping more than usual
Difficulty focusing
Insomnia
Feeling sad
Fatigue/low energy
Lack of interest in hobbies or normal activities
Social isolation
Feeling sad or hopeless

Causes of Bipolar Depression

Unfortunately, there is no way to predict what causes bipolar disorder. However, certain factors can play into the development of bipolar disorder.

Genetics

Like most other mental health disorders, genetics can play a role in whether or not bipolar depression develops. While no specific gene is linked to it, research agrees that mental health issues, like bipolar depression, can run in families.

Brain Chemistry

The body produces a hormone called serotonin that promotes overall feelings of happiness. Cortisol, on the other hand, is the hormone that promotes feelings of stress.

When there is an imbalance between these two and other hormones, it can cause bipolar depression to develop.

Other Causes

Life events/experiences
Substance abuse
An unstable home life

There are many factors that can cause bipolar depression, and it may also be a result of multiple things, so pinpointing an exact cause is extremely difficult.

Trying to figure out the cause of bipolar depression is important because it can help get to the root of the underlying issue. However, the more important aspect is knowing how to treat bipolar depression.

Managing Bipolar Depression

Many mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, are treatable. With bipolar depression, in particular, it often requires patience as well as multiple treatment methods. The most effective methods of treating bipolar depression will be a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

There’s a stigma that exists about taking mental health medication. This is unfortunate because mental health medications are a powerful and transformative way to treat a variety of mental health concerns.

Since most mental health conditions do involve a chemical imbalance, there’s nothing wrong with bringing that balance back through medication.

Medication alone is not enough to treat any mental health condition. While that certainly helps to stabilize somebody’s mood, that isn’t getting to the root issue and helping them to find relief.

Therapy, in particular, helps someone to figure out what triggers their bipolar episodes (either mania or depression). It has helped many people learn about what triggers their episodes and how to cope more easily.

Living with bipolar disorder is challenging; there is no question about that. However, with the right resources and support, you can learn to take control and do what you can to manage it easier. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to learn more about depression treatment.

What is Bipolar Depression?