Memory-related effects from bipolar disorder have been termed as a “brain fog” or a “bipolar blackout4” where the person remains conscious but they're unable to recall the memories during their high and low periods due to the rapid volatility of their mood swings.
A person in a manic state may also be more likely to take risks and make impulsive decisions or abuse substances like drugs and alcohol. As a result, long-term memory problems may develop or be exacerbated, since someone may not remember what they did during the course of the day.
What's more, many people with bipolar disorder report memory loss and or difficulty remembering things. These individuals may have trouble with short and long-term memory, struggle to think things through at a quick speed, and have difficulty thinking outside of the so-called box.
So no, not everyone who has bipolar disorder knows they have it. There are lots of reasons why someone with bipolar disorder might not realize it—or why they might deny having it even if they do. If you think someone you know might have untreated bipolar disorder, there are a few things you can do to help.
The known maladaptive types of coping mechanisms, or negative coping skills, evident in BD patients are “… rumination, catastrophism, self-blame, substance use, risk-taking, behavioral disengagement, problem-direct coping, venting of emotions, or mental disengagement” (Apaydin & Atagun, 2018).
Bipolar disorder can cause a lack of empathy, but symptoms may also make it more challenging to focus on the feelings of others. While there is no medication to improve empathy, treating bipolar disorder can help. Introspection, guided emotional learning, and observing emotions in others may also help build empathy.
One of the most objective symptoms to monitor is sleep needing less sleep is a huge red flag and often easier to see than the mood changes of mania. Routinely keeping track of how much sleep you are needing and getting can be valuable in tracking mood states impending, existing, and receding.
Bipolar disorder is an illness that produces dramatic swings in mood (amongst other symptoms). A person with bipolar disorder will alternate between periods of mania (elevated mood) and periods of depression (feelings of intense sadness). In between these two extremes, a person will have periods of normal mood.
Individuals with bipolar disorder are prone to risk-taking behavior that is subsequently regretted.
Common Thought Patterns Associated with Bipolar Disorder
Manic and depressive episodes have their own distinct thought patterns. Racing thoughts usually tend to happen during bipolar mania. Negative self-talk tends to be more common during bipolar depression. A few of these types of thoughts can occur with both.
People with bipolar disorder may experience extreme shifts in mood, meaning that they can rapidly move from feeling depressed to having an episode of mania. The condition also affects concentration, energy, and decision making. Former names for bipolar disorder include manic-depressive illness and manic depression.
Don't take comments or behavior personally. During periods of high energy, a person often says and does things that he or she would not usually say or do. This can include focusing on negative aspects of others. If needed, stay away from the person and avoid arguments.
Grandiosity and overconfidence. Easy tearfulness, frequent sadness. Needing little sleep to feel rested. Uncharacteristic impulsive behavior.
A “bipolar meltdown” is, much like “bipolar anger,” a very stigmatizing phrase, and not something that really exists. The phrase “bipolar meltdown” could refer to a bipolar person having a manic episode or being in a depressed state.
As with many emotions, however, people with bipolar disorder appear to be more vulnerable to extreme reactions. “Everyone can become frustrated or angry, but loss of control can be part and parcel of bipolar disorder rage,” says Jeffrey Borenstein, MD, president and CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.
The Relationship Between Bipolar Disorder & Anger. Bipolar disorder is characterized by frequent mood cycles, fluxing between mania and depression. While anger isn't always present, people with this frustrating condition may find they quickly experience angry outbursts when they feel agitated, irritated, or annoyed.
Bad Breakups or Marriage Breakdowns
A number of people with bipolar disorder — especially those with a history of severe manic episodes — experience a breakdown in their marriages. If you're going through a divorce, working with your therapist through what is often a drawn-out and extremely stressful process can help.
Feeling abandoned and unloved during bipolar depression is not reality; it's a symptom of the illness—and it can be treated.
We all have changes in our mood, but in bipolar disorder these changes can feel very distressing and have a big impact on your life. You may feel that your high and low moods are extreme, and that swings in your mood are overwhelming. And you may feel and behave very differently, depending on your mood.
A person with bipolar disorder can experience the world differently from other people. Inside Bipolar podcast host Gabe Howard, writing on the online community BPHope website, notes that people with bipolar disorder may lie to “fit in,” because expressing their true emotions makes them seem strange to others.
The Actions Of Someone With Bipolar Disorder
They may think fast, act impulsively, and have a sense of grandiosity or large ego. As a result, they may lie or say things that are untrue about themselves to impress others. If they engage in substance use, their judgment may be impaired.
It is not uncommon for someone with bipolar to start in a euphoric state but to eventually become dysphoric as the episode persists. This may occur as the individual becomes increasingly exhausted, yet cannot contain the ongoing excessive energy that disrupts sleep, relaxation, and replenishment of internal resources.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that can result in extreme shifts in mood. As this may affect how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, it may present challenges that can make it difficult to maintain friendships.