Yes, people with bipolar disorder often get sick more easily, not necessarily with typical infections, but they experience higher rates of physical health problems and a stronger inflammatory response that mimics feeling "sick," with flu-like symptoms (fatigue, body aches) linked to inflammation and mood episodes, alongside increased risks for chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and metabolic issues, and common co-occurring conditions like anxiety and substance abuse.
Additionally, some individuals with bipolar disorder may experience physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach problems, and muscle aches, which can significantly impact their quality of life.
How many hours should a bipolar person sleep? People should try to sleep at least 7 hours per night, regardless of whether they have a condition such as bipolar disorder.
Abstract. Bipolar disorder (BD) is strongly associated with immune dysfunction. Replicated epidemiological studies have demonstrated that BD has high rates of inflammatory medical comorbidities, including autoimmune disorders, chronic infections, cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders.
Ignoring a person with bipolar disorder can escalate their mood swings and trigger their negative emotions. It can be harmful to a person and your relationship with that person. This is because such a person might experience frequent changes in emotional stability.
You can use a 48 hour rule where you wait at least 2 full days with 2 nights sleep before acting on risky decisions. Review your decision to avoid a tempting, but risky, behaviour.
Avoid minimising their experiences. For example, saying things like 'everyone goes through tough times' could make someone feel that you haven't understood how hard things are for them. Listen rather than give advice.
Stressful life events, trauma and significant life changes can trigger or worsen the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Creating a stable and supportive environment can help manage these triggers.
Several recent articles have further explored reasons for this decreased life expectancy, including elevated rates of substance use, tobacco smoking, and suicide attempts. People with bipolar disorder are more likely to die from cardiovascular, circulatory, and respiratory diseases than the general population.
Bipolar disorder often runs in families, and research suggests this is mostly explained by heredity—people with certain genes are more likely to develop bipolar disorder than others.
About 25 percent of people with bipolar disorder have symptoms that follow a seasonal pattern. Most commonly, it manifests as an increased risk of depressive episodes in the winter and mania or hypomania in the spring and summer.
Follow a mood-friendly diet
Many people with bipolar disorder struggle to achieve healthy eating patterns. In general, it is best to eat vegetables, fruits, fish, and whole grains.
Excessive daytime napping is associated with increased odds of a depressed state among patients with bipolar disorder, according to study results published in Sleep Medicine.
2. Disinhibition
Mood stabilizers like lithium are often considered the most effective treatment for bipolar disorder, particularly Bipolar I. Lithium not only helps manage manic episodes but also significantly reduces the risk of suicide, a common concern with bipolar patients.
Overview. Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings. These include emotional highs, also known as mania or hypomania, and lows, also known as depression. Hypomania is less extreme than mania.
There are various types of exercise that can be beneficial for managing bipolar depression. Aerobic exercises, such as walking, jogging, or swimming, increase your heart rate and help improve cardiovascular health. These activities also stimulate the release of endorphins, boosting your mood and energy levels.
We found that a history of bipolar disorder significantly increases the risk of dementia in older adults. Our results provide robust evidence that mood disorders in general, and not only major depressive disorders, are associated with increased risk of dementia (17,18).
Bipolar Disorder and Elevated Death Rates
One data set showed a death rate for people with bipolar disorder six times higher than for people with no mental illness. The other data set showed a death rate within the bipolar disorder group four times higher than within the control group.
Bipolar I disorder is the most severe form of the illness. Bipolar II disorder is characterized by predominantly depressive episodes accompanied by occasional hypomanic episodes. Hypomanic episodes are milder than manic episodes but can still impair functioning.
Childhood trauma
Some experts believe that experiencing a lot of emotional distress as a child can cause bipolar disorder to develop. This could be because childhood trauma and distress can have a big effect on your ability to manage your emotions. This can include experiences like: Neglect.
Bipolar disorder is frequently inherited, with genetic factors accounting for approximately 80% of the cause of the condition. Bipolar disorder is the most likely psychiatric disorder to be passed down from family.
Common triggers for episodes include stressful life events, drastic changes, substance abuse, disrupted sleep, and abruptly stopping medication. During manic episodes, avoid arguments, intense conversations, and taking comments personally; staying calm helps reduce tension and creates a safer environment.
Stick to a routine
Day-to-day activities, such as the time you eat meals and go to sleep. Making time for relaxation, mindfulness, hobbies and social plans. Taking any medication at the same time each day. This can also help you manage side effects and make sure there's a consistent level in your system.
The Takeaway. A poor diet can contribute to bipolar mood episodes, and certain food choices may help manage them. People with bipolar disorder should avoid or limit caffeine, alcohol, sugar, salt, and saturated fats.