All of us go through different phases in our lives where we feel happy or sometimes sad due to the various situations around us, like losing a job or being under work stress, and sometimes simply because of our own physical health.
When a person has an extreme change in their mood, it may lead to a routine fluctuation, mood swings, or possibly a more serious issue like bipolar disorder, which definitely requires treatment.
Therefore, it’s very important to understand the differences between bipolar disorder vs mood swings. It’s important to understand both for early detection/diagnosis of the disorder and also for treating people suffering from the disorder so that they can be as healthy as possible, both mentally and physically.
What Are Mood Swings?
Temporary changes that vary from feeling energetic and happy to feeling sad or irritable can be referred to as “mood swings”. Mood swings are often caused by outside sources like stress, lack of sleep, hormones, etc., and sometimes they occur because of a significant life experience.
- Typically, they last for a short period of time.
- Most often, they are triggered by specific events.
- Usually, they are less severe and manageable.
- Can include depression, mood swings due to stress, fatigue, or emotional strain.
Mood swings usually do not severely impair daily functioning; however, they may severely affect your routine.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder or bipolar depression is a mental health condition characterized by severe, unusual fluctuations in mood, energy, and activity level.
These mood shifts far exceed what would be considered a typical variation in emotion and can have a significant impact on one’s quality of life.
There are two major phases of bipolar disorder:
- Mania or Hypomania – marked by an abnormal increase in energy levels, extreme euphoria, and impulsive behaviour (high-energy phase)
- Bipolar Depression – marked by low energy levels, fatigue, and hopelessness (low-energy phase)
Both types of phases can last anywhere from several days to several months, regardless of any identifiable external cause.
Key Differences: Bipolar Disorder vs Mood Swings
On one side, where mood swings can be mild and remain for a short duration, the bipolar disorder mood swings may occur substantially and can have extreme and long-lasting mood episodes.
- Extreme mood swings can affect your emotions temporarily, but usually, they do not tend to affect your daily life significantly, other than temporarily making you unhappy, angry, anxious, or upset. On the flip side, with bipolar disorder, you may have many issues or a lot of difficulty maintaining personal and professional relationships, maintaining a job, and having impaired decision-making in regard to your day-to-day life.
- Mood swings do not include manic phases, whereas with bipolar disorder, there are periods of mania or hypomania, and this is one of the main differences in identifying bipolar depression.
- Mood swings can typically be triggered by outside events, whereas bipolar disorder episodes can happen without any external trigger.
- Mood swings do not require a formal medical diagnosis, whereas bipolar disorder does require an official diagnosis by a qualified mental health care professional.
Common Bipolar Depression Symptoms
It’s important to recognise the signs of bipolar disorder for timely treatment.
Some common bipolar disorder symptoms include:
- Intense periods of energy or activity
- Fast-paced speech and racing thoughts
- Making impulsive decisions or taking unnecessary risks
- Experiencing extreme fatigue and sadness during depressive periods
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Loss of interest in everyday activities
Symptoms of bipolar disorder may cycle between manic and depressive phases.
Treatment and Management
Although even the extreme mood swings can often be controlled through changes in routine, such as proper sleep, less stress, and regular exercise, bipolar disorder generally needs the right medical treatment.
1. Medication
Most commonly, antidepressants and mood stabilizers are used to help alleviate the dramatic fluctuations in mood.
2. Therapy
There are many types of bipolar disorder therapies used in the treatment. Examples include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and counseling.
3. Living A Supportive Lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy routine, eating a proper diet, and having a positive support network are all important factors in coping with either of these conditions.
When To Ask For Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing unusual highs or lows, e.g., experiencing extreme sadness, lack of high energy levels, inability to sleep, etc., that negatively impacts daily life, then you should discuss this with your physician immediately.
Early depression and mood swings diagnosis have the potential to greatly assist in controlling bipolar disorder symptoms and improving the quality of life.
Conclusion
It is necessary to learn the differences between bipolar disorder vs mood swings to identify when the emotional fluctuations are beyond their normal limits. Mood changes can be a part of life.
However, if someone has frequent and extreme mood changes, then it is important to seek professional help, as you may be experiencing a more serious condition such as bipolar disorder.
You or your loved ones can benefit from obtaining professional assistance if you notice any of these traits in yourself or others. Professionals who provide clinical psychologist services, such as The Holding Hands, can provide early diagnoses, recommend therapy, and support to improve your mental and physical health.
The Holding Hands