Bipolar disorder is a clinical mental health condition characterized by extreme episodes of mood imbalance—from overwhelming highs to devastating lows. For people who experience bipolar disorder, the struggle between these two states can be life-altering, affecting their ability to work, maintain steady relationships, or stay physically healthy. People with bipolar disorder can take medication to stabilize their brain chemistry and can work with a clinical mental health professional to learn coping strategies, but many still struggle throughout their lives to maintain balance and wellness.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder can be diagnosed by a licensed clinical mental health professional using a range of criteria.1
While there are many nuances to a bipolar disorder diagnosis, the defining characteristic of the disorder is periods of hyper-euphoria (mania) coupled with periods of depression.
There are two main types of bipolar disorder:2
- Bipolar I disorder (or BD-I) is used to define those who experience extreme manic behavior as well as extreme depression. The shift in emotional states can be debilitating as they move from elation to anguish, joy to hopelessness. In these cases, euphoric and depressive feelings go beyond what is considered within the normal range of human emotion. This shifting can lead to insomnia, racing thoughts, impulsiveness, and engaging in risky behavior such as substance use.
- Bipolar II disorder (or BD-II) is defined as involving briefer manic periods with longer periods of depression. While the manic episodes are just as high as with bipolar I disorder, they are fewer, and depression can be the dominant emotion. This depression can bring on thoughts of worthlessness and feelings of guilt. Those with this type of bipolar disorder also may struggle with needing too much or too little sleep, and persistent suicidal thoughts.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
The causes of bipolar disorder are unknown, but researchers have found that the key to understanding it lies in learning more about the wiring of the brain. Neural mapping and imaging have held breakthroughs in understanding how misfires in the brain’s wiring may contribute to the causes of bipolar disorder.
Neural pathways provide the brain with a map; these paths help connect stimuli to proper responses, which is especially important in the regulation of moods and emotional reactions. When a brain is healthy, pathways connect emotions to reactions that are considered normal or typical. In a bipolar brain, those pathways do not connect properly, and the brain can get confused with misinformation.
In extreme cases of bipolar disorder, the brain will try to correct its mis-mapped pathways by releasing extra amounts of the brain chemical dopamine, which causes psychotic symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.2
Bipolar disorder is thought to be hereditary, running in families. There is no specific gene, however, that is tied to mental health, and there is no way to predict if someone may be more likely to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The relationship between genetics and mental health is complicated, and scientific researchers are still working to untangle its mysteries.
Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is fairly common, with one in 100 people diagnosed with the disorder in the United States.3 Most people who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder lead normal lives with minimal disruptions—they maintain jobs and well as healthy relationships with family and friends. Medications and counseling services in combination with healthy lifestyle choices can help those with bipolar disorder maintain their quality of life and reduce their manic and depressive episodes.
Medication: Mood stabilizers and antidepressants can be used to maintain balanced moods. Lithium, the most well-known medication option, reduces the destructive behaviors that go along with manic periods. Antipsychotics are also used to regulate dopamine in the brain, reducing the likelihood of psychotic or delusional episodes.
Psychotherapy: Working with a licensed mental health professional has a range of benefits. Cognitive therapy helps people identify episode-inducing risks and triggers as well as strategies to regulate depression and mania.
Family counseling: The symptoms of bipolar disorder can put a strain on relationships, but working with family members to understand and mitigate mood shifts can provide much-needed support and comfort.
Support groups: Building connections with others who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder can provide emotional support as well as practical advice and resources. An understanding community of peers shows people they are not struggling alone, which can reduce feelings of isolation and guilt.
Lifestyle changes: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce episodes and keep moods stable. It is recommended that those with bipolar disorder exercise regularly, maintain a consistent sleep schedule, manage their stress, and seek out ways to support their overall well-being.
How to Become a Counselor
Mental health counselors are the front line of support for those experiencing mental health disorders, including bipolar disorder. To become a licensed mental health counselor, you will need to earn your master’s degree from an accredited program that prepares you to sit for licensure in your state.
Walden University offers an online master’s in clinical mental health counseling that prepares empathetic, compassionate counselors to support those managing mental health disorders. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling offers a range of specializations, including addiction counseling, military counseling, and family counseling, so you can hone your skills in a specific area of care. Developing skills as a clinical mental health counselor will allow you to promote wellness for diverse populations and a make a real difference in the lives of those in need.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program online. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.
1Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558998/
2Source: www.ted.com/talks/helen_m_farrell_what_is_bipolar_disorder
3Source: www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/bipolar-disorder/overview/#:~:text=Bipolar%20disorder%20is%20fairly%20common,likely%20to%20develop%20bipolar%20disorder
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.
Note on Licensure
Walden University’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a requirement for licensure in many states. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards. Because no graduate program can guarantee licensure upon graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate agency to determine specific requirements. For more information about licensure, students should visit the National Board for Certified Counselors at www.nbcc.org/stateboarddirectory or the American Association of State Counseling Boards at www.aascb.org, and contact the appropriate licensing body. International students are encouraged to identify and contact their appropriate licensing body. Learn more about professional licensure.