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Serious severity
· Psychiatry
Bipolar Disorder
Mood swings: mania ↔ depression
Episodes of mania (high energy, reduced sleep, risky decisions) alternate with depression. Mood stabilizers prevent relapse and protect lives.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- About 1% of Indians
- Typical age
- Late teens to early 30s
- Outlook
- Manageable, lifelong
- System
- Mind
Reviewed by a verified Psychiatry doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Strong genetic component
- Sleep disruption as trigger
- Stimulant or steroid use
- Postpartum onset
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Days of euphoria, racing thoughts
- Reduced sleep without fatigue
- Reckless spending or driving
- Followed by depressive crash
- Suicidal thoughts in either phase
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Lithium, valproate, lamotrigine
- Atypical antipsychotics in mania
- Psychotherapy for relapse prevention
- ECT in severe mania or depression
- Sleep stabilisation
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Regular sleep–wake schedule
- Avoid stimulants, drugs
- Manage stress proactively
- Family-focused therapy
- Spot early warning signs
Do’s
- Take mood stabiliser daily
- Track mood and sleep
- Have a relapse-prevention plan
- Educate close family
Don’ts
- Skip lithium dose
- Use cocaine, amphetamines
- Stop meds when feeling well
- Drive during a manic high
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.