Bipolar disorder, a condition that affects approximately 2.8% of people worldwide, is often recognized for its significant impact on mental health.
However, what is less commonly discussed is the array of physical symptoms that can accompany this disorder.
During manic, hypomanic, and depressive episodes, individuals with bipolar disorder may experience physical symptoms that can have lasting effects on their overall health.
Understanding these physical manifestations is crucial for managing the condition and maintaining long-term well-being.
Understanding the Physical Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Apart from the episodic transitions and various mood shifts, individuals with Bipolar Disorder can also experience physical symptoms such as body pain, trouble sleeping, feeling sluggish, brain fog, and visible weight changes.1
These symptoms may affect the individual’s daily functioning and overall well-being.
When you’re in the midst of a manic episode, the body may go into overdrive.
It’s common for individuals to feel like they’re buzzing with energy and can function on low sleep or food.
On the flip side, during a depressive episode, people with bipolar disorder may feel heavy and sluggish.
These physical symptoms can be just as bad as the psychological ones and affect your ability to function in daily life.
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Physical Symptoms During Manic Episodes
When you’re in the midst of a manic episode, it’s common to feel like you’re about to explode with energy.
Here are some of the physical symptoms of bipolar disorder during a manic state:
During a manic episode, people with bipolar disorder often experience a big increase in energy and activity. They might feel elated and take on multiple activities at once or start new projects with great enthusiasm. This surge of energy can make them feel invincible and like they can do anything they put their mind to. But this increased activity can also lead to reckless behavior like excessive spending, risky sex, or substance abuse.
Physical Symptoms During Depressive Episodes
When the pendulum swings the other way, and you’re in a depressive episode, it’s a whole different story.
Here’s more on the physical symptoms of Bipolar Disorder during a depressive state:
During a depressive episode, people with bipolar disorder often experience deep fatigue and low energy. They may feel exhausted even after getting enough sleep and struggle to do daily tasks. This fatigue can be physical and mental, making it hard to concentrate, make decisions, or do activities they used to enjoy. The lack of energy can also make them feel helpless and hopeless and worsen their depressive symptoms.
How Physical Symptoms Impact Daily Life
When Bipolar Disorder is messing with your body, it can affect your work or personal relationships.2
Here’s how the physical symptoms of Bipolar Disorder can take over your daily life:
When you have bipolar disorder it feels like your personal relationships are on a rollercoaster. During those high-flying manic episodes, you might become more irritable or pick fights with your loved ones. You might say things you don’t mean or make impulsive decisions that will strain the trust you’ve built. On the other hand, when depression hits you might start canceling plans and withdrawing from your friends and family. You can feel like you’re pushing them away even if you don’t mean to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, bipolar disorder can cause physical pain – headaches, muscle aches, or unexplained body pain. The exact reasons are not fully understood but it’s thought to be related to the complex relationship between mental health and the body’s pain pathways. Stress and physical tension associated with bipolar disorder can also worsen pain symptoms.
Managing the physical symptoms of bipolar disorder involves a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments. Some therapy options for bipolar disorder include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and psychotherapy. Medication is usually prescribed by a clinician upon receiving a diagnosis. Other lifestyle changes that may help are eating a balanced diet, meditating, exercising regularly, and keeping good sleep hygiene.
Yes, the physical symptoms of bipolar disorder can be misdiagnosed as another condition. For example, fatigue and sleep disturbance can be attributed to chronic fatigue syndrome or sleep disorders and digestive issues can be misdiagnosed as gastrointestinal disorders.
Educating your family and friends about the physical aspects of bipolar disorder after receiving a diagnosis from a medical expert can help them understand what you’re going through and support you better. You can educate family and friends by being open about your physical symptoms and how they affect your daily life and ask them to support you in your self-care.
While lifestyle changes can’t replace professional treatment, they can play a big part in managing the physical symptoms of bipolar disorder. Some helpful lifestyle changes include regular sleep habits, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol and substance abuse, and engaging in social activities.
Challenges in Recognizing Physical Symptoms
Recognizing the physical symptoms of Bipolar Disorder can be tricky for a few reasons.
Firstly, a lot of these symptoms aren’t unique to Bipolar Disorder.
Some of these symptoms could be a sign of other medical or mental health issues that cause similar problems.
This can often lead to you getting the wrong diagnosis or not getting the help you need right away because you might think these symptoms are due to something else, or you might not even bother seeing a doctor about them.
Another thing is the physical symptoms can often get pushed to the back of the bus by the more obvious psychological stuff like mood swings or impulsive behavior.
Managing the Physical Symptoms of Bipolar
A personalized treatment plan that meets your needs may be effective in managing the physical symptoms of bipolar disorder. The treatment plan can include a combination of therapy, medication, and healthy lifestyle changes.
Mind and Body: Finding Balance with Bipolar
It’s important to understand the physical symptoms of bipolar disorder to effectively manage the condition.
By recognizing the link between your mental and physical health, you can develop a holistic treatment plan that nourishes both.3
Whether you’re struggling to manage your symptoms, noticing significant changes in your mood or behavior, or having thoughts of self-harm, remember that support is available, and reaching out is a sign of strength.
Your path may have ups and downs, but with the right tools, support, and perspective, you can achieve a life of stability.
Cornerstone’s Virtual IOP for Bipolar Disorder offers comprehensive care to help you manage both the mental and physical aspects of your condition.
Reach out to us today and take the first step toward a balanced and fulfilling life.
Key Takeaways
- Bipolar disorder affects mental and physical health and has many symptoms beyond the mental.
- Physical symptoms of bipolar disorder vary depending on whether you’re in a manic or depressive episode.
- The link between mental and physical health in bipolar disorder means you need to address both.
- Physical symptoms of bipolar disorder can impact many areas of your life from personal relationships to work to financial stability.
- Managing bipolar disorder effectively requires a holistic approach that addresses your mental and physical well-being.
