Amarillo, TX – Ocean’s Healthcare is a behavioral health facility in the area with the expertise to treat many mental health conditions. The hospital recently published an article that goes into detail about the side effects of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder is a serious mood condition that leads to extreme emotional highs and lows. People with bipolar I experience mania, which is sometimes followed by depression. Those living with bipolar II experience depression and hypomania, which is less intense than a full manic episode. Cyclothymic disorder is another common form of the condition, which causes constantly fluctuating moods that don’t amount to full manic or depressive episodes.
“If you’re living with bipolar disorder, you know that fluctuating between depression and mania or hypomania is exhausting. Going from one extreme to the other leaves you feeling like you can’t trust your brain,” the article begins.
Manic episodes last for at least 7 days. More moderate hypomanic episodes last for at least 4 days. Both conditions can have a severe impact on a person’s quality of life. Some common side effects of mania include an inflated sense of self, extreme feelings of happiness or excitement, being easily distracted by unimportant things, feeling much more talkative than normal, and speaking quickly.
“Impulsive decision-making during a manic episode can create major, sudden changes in your life. You may impulsively decide to spend money or quit your job, which can have long-term consequences.
“It can be really difficult to identify mania while you’re experiencing it, but mania is usually more obvious to those around you. If the people in your life have expressed concerns that you may be manic, you should consider talking to a medical professional.
“Sometimes, manic episodes escalate to psychosis. During a psychotic episode, you’ll experience some combination of hallucinations and delusions. Hallucinations occur when you see, hear, smell, feel, or taste something that isn’t there. Delusions are strongly held beliefs that aren’t based on reality. A psychotic episode is very serious and requires immediate medical attention,” the article continues.
“Depressive episodes are most commonly associated with bipolar II and last for at least 2 weeks. However, episodes can last much longer if they’re not properly treated. A few common side effects of depression are difficulty concentrating for long periods of time, withdrawal from social activities, lack of motivation to complete tasks of daily living, and thoughts of death or suicide.
“The low energy of depression can be especially frustrating. It’s common to have a hard time completing tasks for work or school due to a limited ability to concentrate. Even seemingly simple tasks like bathing or brushing your teeth can feel monumental during a depressive episode. This frustration can create a vicious cycle, leading to worsening depression.
“During a depressive episode, you will feel disconnected from yourself. Your lack of interest in your own hobbies and friends can leave you feeling like you don’t recognize yourself. It’s important to remember that this won’t last forever.
“Suicidal ideation needs to be taken very seriously. If you are thinking about hurting yourself or someone else, please seek medical help immediately,” the article states.
The article goes into additional detail about the side effects that bipolar disorder can have on a person’s physical health.
“Both mania and depression are known to cause significant changes in appetite. Many people don’t feel the need to eat when they’re hungry. On the other hand, some people overindulge as a way to seek pleasure from food. During a depressive episode, some people find it difficult to eat, while others eat to cope. Depending on how different phases of the condition affect you, this can lead to major changes in weight.
“Mania and depression both have a major impact on your sleep pattern. During manic episodes, it’s common to feel like you barely need any sleep. Oversleeping is common when you’re depressed. Both under and oversleeping can compound physical health issues and reduce your immune system’s efficiency, making it easier to get sick.
“The swings of bipolar disorder can have a severe impact on your sex drive. During mania, your sex drive will likely go up. This can lead to unsafe sexual practices, like unprotected sex. During depressive episodes, libido usually goes down,” the article concludes.
At Oceans Healthcare, a board-certified psychiatrist oversees each program to ensure that every client receives the quality care they deserve. They accept 24/7 referrals, so they’re always ready to take on new clients. To learn more about Oceans Healthcare, call (806) 310-2205.
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For more information about Oceans Behavioral Hospital Amarillo, contact the company here:
Oceans Behavioral Hospital Amarillo
Dax Parker
(806) 310-2205
amarilloinfo@oceanshealthcare.com
7501 Wallace Blvd
Amarill, TX 79124
