Alcohol is known to intensify bipolar disorder due to its sedating effects. It acts similarly to some medications, risking feelings of depression with each swig of alcohol. Alcohol also greatly increases the severity of mania, which many who suffer from bipolar find extremely pleasurable.
When a person with bipolar disorder drinks alcohol, they often feel a sense of relief from the intensity of very high or very low emotions. Mood swings can make a person feel out of control, and alcohol may seem to help provide a sense of control, at least at first. Alcohol has an impact on both mania and depression.
Alcohol Use with Bipolar Disorder Medications
Because medications for bipolar disorder work in the central nervous system and affect chemicals in the brain, the addition of alcohol can also worsen side effects like dizziness, memory impairment, confusion, poor judgement, or increase the risk for falls and injury.
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).
Most reports suggest that caffeine-induced manic episodes occur after excessive caffeine consumption, meaning more than 600 mg per day. It is unclear whether effects may occur with lower amounts. The International Bipolar Foundation recommends that people with bipolar disorder avoid caffeine entirely.
Alcohol is known to intensify bipolar disorder due to its sedating effects. It acts similarly to some medications, risking feelings of depression with each swig of alcohol. Alcohol also greatly increases the severity of mania, which many who suffer from bipolar find extremely pleasurable.
Bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder or other types of substance abuse can be a dangerous combination. Each can worsen the symptoms and severity of the other. Having both conditions increases the risk of mood swings, depression, violence and suicide.
Mania in particular tends to trigger aggressive emotions and anger. The racing thoughts and high energy levels you experience can leave you feeling angry, irritable, and frustrated. Those angry emotions, in turn, can cause aggressive and inappropriate behaviors.
Bipolar disorder can cause your mood to swing from an extreme high to an extreme low. Manic symptoms can include increased energy, excitement, impulsive behaviour, and agitation. Depressive symptoms can include lack of energy, feeling worthless, low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts.
Gambling and hypersexuality are some of the risky behaviors linked to manic episodes. Impulsivity is the root behind many of these reckless actions. Spending money without even thinking is another problem when it comes to manic episodes.
During a manic episode, people with bipolar disorder can have what's called a bipolar blackout. During a blackout, the individual is not aware of their surroundings or actions and has trouble remembering them afterward. This can make interacting with someone in a blackout very frustrating, but it doesn't have to be.
Bipolar & Cravings
Pamela Peeks, “those with bipolar disorder are believed to have lower levels of the chemical messenger serotonin, which can spark a craving for carbs and sweets.” She further explains that bipolar disorder has a positive correlation to stress, which can cause an increase in the hormone cortisol.
Bipolar disorder may worsen with age or over time if the condition is left untreated. As time goes on, a person may experience episodes that are more severe and more frequent than when symptoms first appeared.
“When you're in a hypomanic or manic state, you're also more likely to feel you're in love,” says Haase. “You may then act on that feeling when making major long-term life decisions, not understanding your state had something to do with what you were feeling.”
Bipolar disorder may make it more difficult for you to interpret people's emotions. Missed clues make it harder for you to empathize when others feel happy or sad. If someone is feeling troubled, you may lack enough empathy to be moved to help.
Unless their condition is causing noticeable dysfunction that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, it's perfectly okay to date someone with bipolar disorder I or II. Every person you date is likely to have different strengths and needs. That same logic goes for people with mental health conditions.
Answer questions honestly. But don't argue or debate with a person during a manic episode. Avoid intense conversation. Don't take comments or behavior personally.
Psychosis associated with alcohol can occur with acute intoxication, alcohol withdrawal, and chronic alcoholism. Alcohol-related psychosis is also known as alcohol hallucinosis.
Can you have bipolar disorder and NPD at the same time? Yes. Bipolar disorder and narcissistic personality disorder are two different mental health conditions but symptoms of both can co-occur.
Impulsivity is one of the symptoms of BPD, and for a person with BPD, alcohol can make an already impulsive individual even more impulsive. This means the individual is likely to go on spending sprees or participate in reckless driving, sexual promiscuity or binge eating.