Bipolar: 5 Ways To Recognize The Warning Signs Of An Approaching Episode Of Mania Or Depression

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness with two main alternatingh phases – hypomanic or manic, and depressive episodes. The onset of the illness occurs sometime during the adolescent or early adult years. Unfortunately, many people remain undiagnosed for years, but if someone’s diagnosed in time and treated right, they learn how to cope with bipolar disorder before they reach adulthood. Early recognition and treatment can improve the quality of person’s life in all ways – from personal to employment stability.

Why is it so important to spot the early signs?

Most people with bipolar disorder can sense an upcoming episode. This is good news, because you can do a lot to prevent the symptoms from emerging, or decrease their intensity if they do. To prevent relapse, it’s important to spot the early signs of an approaching episode of mania or depression, because a few milder symptoms can be addressed by talking to a therapist or implementing a few lifestyle changes, while a full-blown episode is often a wreck that requires hospitalization.

Each person has their own potential vulnerabilities that can trigger these episodes, but there are some common signs that apply to most patients and early intervention has been shown to be a good management strategy in their treatment.

1. Changes in mood

Several longitudinal studies show that bipolar disorder tends to get worse over the years, but luckily early intervention can improve a lot of the symptoms. ​Some of the symptoms are unique for each patient, but most of them are universal and quite accurate in predicting approaching episodes of mania and depression. One of the first and logical signs of a possible upcoming episode when it comes to mood disorders are mood changes – whether it’s sudden euphoria as a sign of mania, or less energy than usual announcing depression.

2. Changes in sleeping patterns

Most bipolar disorder patients experience sleep problems, according to researchers.  Any change in a person’s usual sleeping habits — whether it’s sudden sleeplessness or sleepiness — can represent an upcoming episode of mania or depression. Even if a person feels well in between the episodes, persisting lack of sleep can lead to relapse. According to experts, reduced sleep is a common precipitant of manic episodes.

The symptoms vary from patient to patient, from desire to sleep all the time to not feeling the need to sleep at all. Experts now believe that bipolar disorder disrupts the circadian rhythm, the brain’s natural internal sleep-wake process that regulates our waking and sleeping hours. If you struggle to regulate your circadian rhythm, sunshine and vitamin D supplements can help you in this mission, as well as a healthy diet rich in protein, physical activity, and a strict bedtime routine, among other things.

3. Changes in eating habits

Sudden overeating or eating too little can suggest upcoming hypomania or depression. Hypomanic people usually forget to eat while running around completing everything that they set out to do. Turning to food for comfort is usually sign of upcoming depression.

4. Not taking care of yourself

Whether it is upcoming hypomania or mania that has you all worked up about chasing your goals, or depression that nails you to the bed, bipolar disorder tends to make people stop caring about their appearance. Showering or putting makeup on is either a waste of precious time or unnecessary because no one is going to see you.

5. Physical symptoms 

Issues such as bad digestion, as well as headaches that are not connected to other physical or mental illnesses, can be an early sign of an approaching mania or depression. Science has established long ago that mental issues can negatively impact our physical health, and vice versa.

What you can do to recognize signs of approaching mania or depression?

Hypomanic people usually write bunch of unrelated things that seem right only in the moment and make no sense when you read them later. A personal diary can actually give you an idea when you should visit your doctor for meds, as well as advice.

If you have people in your life who are well informed about your condition and its symptoms, you can ask them to warn you when they notice hypomanic or depressive symptoms. Ignoring hypomanic episodes and letting them turn into a full-blown mania can end with hospitalization, and even disasters.

Try implementing healthy habits into your life — such as eating healthy, exercising, yoga, or joining a support group for people with bipolar disorder. Do these things even when you feel well, because being careful and living a healthy lifestyle can prevent relapses of mania and depression.