If you have bipolar, you know how much it can impact your life. It is not easy to have a normal and healthy life when one has manic or depressive cycles. According to recent studies, bipolar disorder in women is equal in number to that in men. Therefore, it impacts both at the same level. These depressive episodes engulf you so much that you will be able to think positively about life. There comes a time when you feel so useless in life. Other than quality of life, bipolar and other mental health conditions are known to decrease overall life expectancy.
Physical health is the primary determinant of reduced life expectancy. Therefore, it is important to see a psychiatrist as often as possible to have as many good years as possible. Here, we will find all the information about bipolar symptoms in women, their causes, and treatment methods. Keep reading to learn useful tips and tricks.
Relationship With a Bipolar Woman
Dating a bipolar female can be a wonderful and difficult task that one can face in their life. Bipolar disorder that involves two moods, mania and depression, can make her have extreme reactions. You may present with elevated, pressured, or grandiose symptoms during the manic phases.
Similarly, you might be sad and hopeless with or without withdrawal symptoms in depressive episodes. One must have a lot of tolerance to support her because you cannot control your moods that change abruptly in any way. One important factor that implies working on is the way of communication in the case of a person with bipolar disorder. It is helpful to talk about what precipitates them and how best to handle it.
Furthermore, it is all about the approaches to handling tough feelings. Making you understand that it is okay to set a proper perimeter on the issues you battle and to ensure that you comply with the doctor’s orders. Thus, it’s important to remain open and avoid criticism so that neither of you reacts poorly in the course of the relationship. To manage bipolar disorder through the consultation of expert mental health professionals, contact us at MAVA Behavioral Health.
Bipolar Symptoms in Women
Signs of bipolar disorder in women include:
- Feeling extremely happy or excited
- Feeling restless or irritated
- Having more energy than usual
- Feeling good about oneself
- Thinking they can do anything
- Needing less sleep and eating less
- Talking faster and more than usual
- Having fast-changing thoughts or ideas
Call us today to schedule your Telehealth
or in-office psychiatric appointment!
What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a complex condition with numerous underlying causes. Its exact cause is not fully understood, but several key factors include the following:
1. Genetics
Genetic factors are among the main determinants of bipolar disorder in an individual. It is contracted more frequently in people who have close contact with members of their families suffering from the disorder due to genetic factors.
2. Brain Structure and Function
It has been found that the neuroanatomical and neurofunctional abnormalities of some parts of the brain with bipolar disorder. Differences in the levels of neurotransmitters, which are the chemicals that allow neurons to communicate with one another.
3. Environmental Factors
Bipolar disorder accelerates its symptoms to stressful life events, trauma, or changes in life circumstances (e.g., bereavement or abuse) in those with a genetic predisposition to the illness.
4. Chemical Imbalances
Neurotransmitter dysfunction is considered to underlie mood alterations: serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. It includes mediating bipolar fluctuations in mania and depression.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
1. Bipolar I
People with bipolar I might not always be able to tell when they are having an episode of mania or depression, so it may be difficult to begin treatment. For those with bipolar I, sticking to a treatment plan, which should include both therapy and medication, is essential in keeping the mood changes manageable. Therefore, if taken through proper care and support, one with bipolar, I can be healthy and productive.
Bipolar I Symptoms in Females
Here are the symptoms of bipolar disorder 1 that include as:
- Racing thoughts
- Impulsivity
- Sleep apnea
- Irritability or anger
- Fatigue and low energy
- Sleep disturbances
- Changes in appetite
2. Bipolar II
Bipolar II disorder is diagnosed when a person has a significant depressive episode lasting at least two weeks. During this period of depression, people may feel exceedingly unhappy, weary, or lose interest in doing anything. In addition, the individual must have had a hypomanic episode, a lesser kind of mania.
Bipolar II Symptoms in Females
Here are the symptoms of bipolar disorder 2 symptoms in females that include:
- Mood swings
- Less noticeable impairment in functioning
- Talkativeness
- Higher productivity or creativity
- High-risk taker
3. Cyclothymic Episodes
Cyclothymic disorder is distinguished by persistent bipolar symptoms that do not meet the diagnostic criteria for bipolar I or bipolar II illness. It concerns the cyclical reappearance of hypomanic and depressive episodes, which are never intense enough for the individual to be diagnosed with bipolar II. These bipolar symptoms in women are usually present for about two years.
Life Expectancy for Someone with Bipolar Disorder
Experts have determined that living with a mental health condition can reduce your life expectancy by as much as 7 to 10 years.
For an individual struggling with bipolar disorder, the average life expectancy hovers around 67 years. A 2021 study on the impact of bipolar disorder on life expectancy reported:
- Its average life span, as compared to the general population, is between 8–12 years.
- The lifespan is affected by the age at diagnosis.
Diagnosis of bipolar disorder at a young age normally means that one’s life expectancy is reduced. But it does depend on your lifestyle and individual factors which are modifiable.
Schedule your appointment today
Bipolar Disorder in Women During Menstruation, Pregnancy, and Menopause
1. Menstruation
Females’ bipolar signs may intensify before their cycle of menstruation. In one 2015 review, it was found that premenstrual depression affected one-quarter of bipolar in women. One potential reason for this is that the hormones that appear around menstruation can slightly reduce the effectiveness of lithium, a common bipolar medication.
2. Pregnancy
Bipolar disorder is a condition that pregnant women and those who are giving birth can experience. It has been found that approximately 30% of bipolar disorder woman have symptoms during childbirth. Such bipolar symptoms in women may be highs or lows in moods, depression, or one mania due to hormonal imbalances, sleep loss, and stress from baby care.
Similarly, up to one-third of women may experience some psychosis after childbirth, which is a severe form of mental disorder that requires medical intervention. More than a third of bipolar disorder in women may experience their first symptoms in the weeks after childbirth. It is also normal for 10-20 % of people to suffer from hypomania, a form of mania that is not so severe during this period.
3. Menopause
Menopause is a normal physiological process in bipolar women, which means the cessation of the menstrual cycle. It is most common at the age of 50, but it can occur earlier or later. Menopause is a stage in a woman’s life when her body produces little or no estrogen and progesterone hormones, which cause physical and emotional changes. Some signs are hot flushes, night sweats, irritability, and insomnia.
One can, therefore, realize that some of the complications that arise from hormonal imbalances seen during the onset of menopause are also associated with psychological problems. Hormonal imbalance also causes anxiety or signs of depression among many ladies at this period. Such changes are usually due to hormonal changes that occur in the body.
Diagnosis and Bipolar Disorder Test
To diagnose bipolar disorder, your healthcare professional may utilize numerous tools, such as:
- A physical examination.
- A thorough health history will include inquiries about your symptoms, life events, and family.
- Blood testing to rule out other possible causes of your signs, including hyperthyroidism.
- A mental health evaluation. Sometimes, your primary care physician will do the examination.
Bipolar Disorder Treatments
Treatment is best administered by a medical doctor who identifies and manages mental illnesses (psychiatrists) with special expertise in bipolar spectrum disorders. You also may have a psychologist, social worker, or psychiatric nurse on your care team. Bipolar disorder is a chronic disease on controls the symptoms. Depending on your needs, treatment may include:
- Medicines
- Ongoing treatment
- Intensive outpatient programs
Closing Remarks
Bipolar disorder in women is different from men. Women have more depressive episodes and rapid cycling between mood states. Bipolar symptoms in women are influenced by hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with bipolar II and hypomania rather than full-blown mania. They are more prone to seasonal mood patterns and comorbid conditions like anxiety, eating disorders, and thyroid problems. Moreover, diagnosis can be tricky because symptoms can be mistaken for postpartum depression. Women tend to have a later onset of symptoms than men, often in their 20s or early 30s.
To get better treatment for bipolar disorder, you may reach out to us at MAVA Behavioral Health. Our expert mental health professionals will assist you and suggest the best and swift treatment solution for you. So, contact us without thinking twice!
FAQ’s
How does bipolar disorder present in women?
Bipolar disorder in women often manifests with more frequent depressive episodes and rapid cycling between moods compared to men, and symptoms may worsen during hormonal changes like menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause.
What does bipolar 2 feel like?
Bipolar 2 is characterized by deep depressive episodes alternating with periods of hypomania – less severe than full mania – where you might feel energetic, productive, and euphoric but still functional. Depression tends to be more dominant and debilitating, often lasting longer than hypomanic episodes. It includes feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and changes in sleep and appetite.
Is bipolar disorder genetic?
Research shows bipolar disorder has a strong genetic component, with studies indicating a 60-80% chance of inheriting it if a parent or sibling has the condition.
What is it like living with bipolar 1?
Living with bipolar 1 involves experiencing severe manic episodes. It includes dangerous risk-taking, delusions, or psychosis, alternating with periods of deep depression. During manic phases, a person might go days without sleep, spend recklessly, or make impulsive decisions.
What age does bipolar start in females?
Bipolar disorder typically emerges in women during their late teens to early 20s, with average onset at age 25. Some females show initial symptoms during puberty, with diagnosis often following major hormonal changes.
