Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is mental health condition that causes fluctuating moods of extreme highs and lows. Bipolar disorder can differ in severity for individuals and is specific for each person. Having Bipolar disorder means that you experience ‘episodes’ of highs known as mania or hypomania, and usually periods of depression.

Causes of Bipolar disorder may include

  • Childhood trauma
  • Stressful life events
  • Brain Chemistry
  • Genetics – meaning that this can be passed down from your family
  • Drugs and alcohol

Bipolar Disorder symptoms may include

High moods (Mania)

  • Extremely high energy and activity levels
  • Feeling unusually “high,” euphoric, or irritable
  • Racing thoughts or rapid speech
  • Increased impulsiveness (spending money, risky behaviour)
  • Decreased need for sleep (feeling rested after only a few hours of sleep)
  • Poor judgment and decision-making
  • Grandiosity (feeling invincible or having unrealistic beliefs in one’s abilities)

Depressive Episodes (Low moods)

  • Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in most daily activities (e.g., hobbies, work, socialising)
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Changes in appetite or weight (eating too much or too little)
  • Trouble sleeping (insomnia) or sleeping too much
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
  • Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
  • Thoughts of death or suicide (in severe cases)

Factors such as life stress, lack of sleep, alcohol and recreational drugs can cause a change and/or fluctuations in mood.

Treatments for Bipolar Disorder may include

  • Medication
  • Talking therapies
  • Lifestyle changes

Help Lines

Samaritans

116 123 

Shout 

If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.

Papyrus HOPELINEUK

0800 068 41 41
88247 (text)
pat@papyrus-uk.org
papyrus-uk.org
Confidential support for under-35s at risk of suicide and others who are concerned about them. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

0800 58 58 58
thecalmzone.net
Provides a helpline, online and WhatsApp chat, as well as information and support, for anyone affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts.

SANEline

If you’re experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10pm every day).

Nightline 

www.nightline.ac.uk

If you’re a student, you can look to see if your university or college offers a night-time listening service. Nightline phone operators are all students too.

NHS 111 – urgent mental health helpline

You can contact NHS 111 any time to access support for your health. To get urgent mental health support, call 111 and select option 2.

If you feel that you are unable to keep yourself safe, or if you feel you are at risk to yourself or others, then please contact 999 or visit your local Accident and Emergency (A&E)