Bipolar Disorder In Women: Common Causes And Symptoms
Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that is part of the group of mood disorders.
In this article we will focus on the typical symptoms of bipolar disorder in women how to recognize them, and the types of clinical expressions whose effects appear in both men and women.
In general terms, bipolar disorder is a disorder characterized by extreme changes in mood. In its classic variant, stages of depression and mania appear that is, phases characterized by sadness and the lack of ability to feel pleasure or motivation in the first case, and phases based on frenzy, excitement and thoughts of grandiosity through which the person believes himself capable of doing anything .
On the other hand, the symptoms of bipolar disorder in women that are most characteristic of them are the following, although the differences between sexes are usually quantitative and not qualitative, and in the end we will see the symptoms of this disorder that occur in both men and women. in them.
1. The depressive phase predominates
There does not have to be symmetry in terms of the duration and intensity of the manic and depressive phases. Therefore, while in the male version the manic stage is relatively notable, in women the expressions of depression are somewhat more typical and frequent.
Although this does not have to be the case in all cases, It is very common that hormonal changes linked to pregnancy cause symptoms to intensify of bipolar disorder in women.
3. Menstruation intensifies the effects
In a similar way to what happens with pregnancy, menstruation generates a domino effect due to the imbalance of hormonal regulation, which results in more intense mania stages and depressive stages in which there is even less energy, a more marked avolition etc.
4. Increased risk of suicide
In general, women are more likely than men to attempt suicide, which is why bipolar disorder in women can be especially dangerous in that sense Typically, these attempts are not based on trying to break or cut off body parts, but rather have more to do with poisoning and suffocation.
5. Greater likelihood of weight gain
Women generally have a slower metabolism than men, and are therefore more likely to accumulate body fat in a relatively short time. Due to the characteristics of the depressive stage of bipolar disorder, this sedentary lifestyle can lead women to gain weight until reaching an unhealthy situation
6. Greater risk of eating disorders appearing
Perhaps due to the social pressure that exists regarding the need for women to look good, the hormonal and emotional imbalances typical of this disorder are more likely to give rise to other psychological alterations related to eating behavior such as anorexia or bulimia.
Types of bipolar disorder
Regarding the symptoms of bipolar disorder that occur in both men and women, these depend on the variant of bipolar disorder we are dealing with. Let’s see a summary.
In this variant, the manic phase is relatively intense and long-lasting, although the depressive phase also occurs. Both can last several days, and they alternate between them quickly
Mania is characterized by generating a feeling of euphoria, the desire to do many things, and the ability to endanger oneself and others. On the other hand, psychotic-type symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, may also appear.
Type II
In this variant, what prevails is the depressive stage, characterized by abulia (lack of motivation and desire to do anything, even basic daily tasks to live well), sadness and feelings of hopelessness, and the inability to experience pleasure (anhedonia)
Cyclothymia
Cyclothymia is a type of less intense bipolar disorder, in which the life of those who have it is much less at risk because the symptoms are not as extreme. It normally occurs in two phases, one hypomanic and one with mild depressive symptoms
Bipolar disorder not otherwise specified
This category includes all cases in which the symptoms do not fit with the other types of bipolar disorder, so that there is a mixture of clinical manifestations that do not normally arise together.
Causes
The causes of this alteration are largely unknown, although it is hypothesized that it is due to a failure in the ability to regulate hormonal levels. Besides, This is partly due to genetic predispositions since it appears more frequently in those who have relatives who present it.
