Bipolar 1 is the more intense/extreme version of Bipolar 2. Many wonder if Bipolar 1 can turn into Bipolar 2 under the assumption that Bipolar 2 is worse.
As a general rule, Bipolar 1 can turn into Bipolar 2 if proper treatment is being actively pursued. Individuals with Bipolar 1 who are proactive about treatment may see improvement and a decrease in the intensity of the manic phase over time.
Bipolar 2 is described as having a hypomanic phase instead of full blown manic episodes as seen with Bipolar 1.
What are the Warning Signs of Bipolar Disorder?
What to look for during the Manic Phase
The manic phase is simply the emotional phase before the depressive phase. The emotions expressed are usually a variety of such. Here is what the manic phase could specifically look like.
- Extreme Excitement/Joy – Someone experiencing an episode of mania could experience a big burst of energy and excitement. They may get really excited about everyday things that many of us might not think twice about.
- Sudden Mood Swings – Just as quickly as their excitement and joy comes, it can go. Having extreme mood swings are one of the most common symptoms of a manic episode.
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- Inability to Sleep – Obviously, if someone with bipolar is experiencing a manic episode and is extremely excited and “pumped up” they will have trouble sleeping. They may also experience this when feeling depressed as their mind might have trouble turning off to let them rest.
- Impulsiveness – Being impulsive as another typical symptom of the manic phase of bipolar disorder. Those struggling with this might shop impulsively, gamble or abuse drugs or alcohol. They might have rocky relationships because of their impulses and may have a hard time dealing with debt as a result as well.
- Inability to Focus – It is also common for those struggling with bipolar to often seem unfocused and distracted. In this case, some people will take certain medications prescribed to those with ADHD. People suffering with this symptom during the manic phase of bipolar might experience difficulty keeping a job or completing daily tasks that require their complete attention.
- Lack of Appetite – When someone is experiencing the highs of excitement, joy, rage and impulsiveness, it is typical that they may not have much of an appetite during this time. Lack of appetite during the manic phase is the opposite of what may be seen in the following depression phase, although some experience lack of appetite while depressed.
What to look for during the Depression Phase
- Emotional Pain – As is typical with experiencing depression, feelings and thoughts involving guilt and shame are common. The individual might feel guilty for things they shouldn’t such as having bipolar disorder and getting depressed. They might carry shame over this and feel as though they are a burden to their loved ones.
- Extreme Anxiety – Struggling with anxiety and panic attacks is often seen during the depression part of bipolar. The individual might be triggered by certain experiences. They might be living in anxious fear of their next panic attack. If you or someone you love is struggling with anxiety and/or panic attacks, you know how debilitating those experiences might be.
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- Increased Appetite – While it is much more common for those experiencing an episode of depression to have an increased appetite, sometimes a lack of appetite is seen here instead. Depending on the individual and everything they’re experiencing, they may consume much larger amounts of food than normal.
- Sleep Issues – Not only could lack of sleep be an issue, but sleeping too much could be a symptom also. When someone feels hopeless and extremely down, they will be mentally and emotionally fatigued. This will manifest itself as physical exhaustion.
- Detached and/or Distracted – Being detached from daily activities and not wanting to do everyday tasks is another sign of the depressive stage in bipolar disorder. Someone might experience trouble at work due to how distracted and unengaged with their work they may feel. At home, they might feel the need to isolate themselves.
- Irritability – Someone struggling with depression may get uncomfortable or annoyed by the smallest things. Typical noises such as road construction, slamming doors, or people talking might seem to really bother them. They might lash out or overreact to something that most people wouldn’t really notice. They’re uncomfortable and everything they’re experiencing will seem heightened because of this.
Does Bipolar get worse with age?
As a general rule, the manic phase of bipolar does not tend to worsen with age. However the depression stage can intensify over time of not properly treated. This is typically seen with any situation where depression is present, not just with bipolar 1 or bipolar 2.
How do people become Bipolar?
As with many mental health disorders, the cause of this disorder could be from a variety of things. Causes include the environment a child grew up in, genetic factors, brain dysfunction or other trauma/extreme experiences.
- Traumatic events – Often, people can develop bipolar from trauma that has gone untreated. Several types of trauma can cause mental and emotional disorders once the child reaches adulthood. Examples of childhood trauma that can contribute to developing bipolar disorder are physical, sexual, verbal and/or mental abuse. Bipolar develops slowly over time, however, it is possible for an abrupt event to cause bipolar to develop more rapidly than it is usually seen.
- Genetic Factors – Genetic factors such as personality traits and emotional tendencies have a lot to do with whether someone has bipolar disorder or not. As with OCD and anxiety, typically a parent has passed those disorders down to their children. Unfortunately, bipolar can be developed if the genetic makeup is there from birth.
- Brain Dysfunction – Sometimes genetic factors and traumatic events have nothing to do with the development of bipolar disorder. Dysfunction within the brain can be the cause simply because chemicals are not functioning properly. Chemical imbalances in the brain cause a variety of mental disorders. Depression being one of the main ones.
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In conclusion, bipolar 2 does not experience mania nearly as severely as bipolar 1. However, the depression phase is typically more drawn out. People with Bipolar 2 are described as hypomanic instead of manic during the mania phase since their experience is much less severe and dangerous.
If you or someone you love is struggling with any bipolar symptoms, talk to a therapist online today!
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