Bipolar disorder is an illness that reflects an alternating fluctuation of mood at one end as depression and, at another end, maniac. It will affect all dimensions of the life of an individual such as relations, career, and self-well-being.
Though this disorder is treatable with medicines and therapy, it also carries risks that may be life-altering if it is not well-managed. In this article, we have discussed some of the risks associated with the condition and why it should be treated in time.
Table of Contents:
1. Impaired Judgment and Dangerous Behavior
High amounts of energy, impulsivity and reduced sense of risk or danger are experienced during episodes of mania in bipolar disorder, culminating in poor decision and risky behaviors like overspending, unsafe sexual practices and substance abuse.
Individuals with bipolar disorder tend to be impulsive and engage in risky behaviors – activities with high potential for negative consequences. Increased risk-taking is one of several diagnostic criteria for a manic episode.
Manic phase is often accompanied by elation and a sense of invincibility that blur judgment and impair a sense of realization of the consequences of any event in place. Left unchecked, these risky behaviors tend to negatively affect physical and financial health.
2. Impact on Relationships
Bipolar disorder can also severely strain relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. A depressive episode will exhibit itself through avoiding or withdrawing of loved ones and could possibly lead to angry behavior and also indifference towards things a person enjoys doing.
During manic episodes, a person may tend to be extremely chatty, domineering, and even make unrelated or unreasonable demands while committing errors due to impulsive thoughts. Over time, the unpredictability of mood swings can erode trust and cause significant emotional distance, making it difficult to maintain close personal or professional relationships.
3. Work and Career Challenges
The depressive lows and manic highs can disrupt consistency in performing tasks at work or in other aspects of their lives. In depressive periods, they tend to lose motivation, concentration, and become less productive, causing missed deadlines and even lower job performance.
On the contrary, individuals within manic phases may fail to concentrate or make spur-of-the-moment decisions that negatively affect their professional reputation. Over time, such inconsistencies may hinder career advancement or even result in losing a job.
4. Suicide Risk Increased
Perhaps the most frightening risk associated with this condition is suicide. Studies have shown that people with bipolar disorder are at a much higher risk of attempting suicide than the average population. This risk is more pronounced when in a depression episode, feeling hopeless and despairing to unbearable extents.
People with this condition need to have the support system and appropriate treatments to manage both depression and mania, hence low chances of suicide or attempts.
5. Complications in Physical Health
Mood changes in bipolar disorder may lead to complications in physical health. For example, individuals might forget about their bodily needs during mania by not eating, losing sleep, or doing so much exercise that they are exhausted.
A team of Korean researchers has found a key element for bipolar disorder, which is known to cause severe shifts in mood and behavior.
Conversely, people would lack the energy or interest during episodes of depression to engage in physical activity or healthy eating and exercise. These physical neglects over time are known to lead to a gain or loss in body weight, sleep disturbances, and even chronic health disorders such as heart disease.
