Why does a 47-y/o with bipolar disorder feel different moods?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 47-year-old male with bipolar disorder, and I sometimes feel like I become a completely different person depending on my mood state. During depressive phases, I barely talk to anyone, while during elevated moods, I suddenly feel confident, restless, and impulsive.

Why does a 47-year-old with bipolar disorder feel so different during each mood? Afterward, I often look back at my own behavior and barely recognize myself.

Please guide.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concerns.

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental health condition that causes extreme emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). The term bipolar itself reflects the nature of the condition, which involves two extremes: mania and depression.

The first pole, mania, is characterized by an exaggerated sense of well-being, increased energy, elevated mood, impulsivity, heightened risk-taking behavior, racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, and grandiose feelings.

The second pole, depression, is the opposite of mania and is typically marked by low mood, reduced energy, negative thoughts, and diminished interest in activities that were once pleasurable.

The second part of the term, disorder, indicates that there are changes in behavior and mood that significantly affect important areas of life, leading to considerable impairment in functioning.

During the manic phase, personal and social judgment can be severely impaired, resulting in a lack of reality testing. This is why individuals often recognize their unusual behavior after the manic episode subsides.

A normal mood state, also known as the euthymic state, assists us in functioning better by allowing for effective reality testing, helping us recognize our bizarre behavior during manic episodes.

I hope this clearer explanation helps you understand bipolar disorder better.

Take care.