Understanding Bipolar Symptoms in Women

Understanding Bipolar Symptoms in Women

Bipolar disorder is often accompanied by extreme mood changes. This mental condition affects men and women, but women are more likely to show symptoms of the ailment. Depression and mania are the two primary mood shifts noticed in people with bipolar disorder. Bipolar symptoms in women are more prominent than in men due to their reproductive hormones. Although bipolar disorder cannot be cured completely, it can be managed with timely medical intervention. Read on to know more.

Bipolar disorder is often accompanied by extreme mood changes. This mental condition affects men and women, but women are more likely to show symptoms of the ailment. Depression and mania are the two primary mood shifts noticed in people with bipolar disorder. Bipolar symptoms in women are more prominent than in men due to their reproductive hormones. Although bipolar disorder cannot be cured completely, it can be managed with timely medical intervention. Read on to know more.

What are the different types of bipolar disorder?

Understanding bipolar symptoms in women is easy when you know the types of this condition.

• Bipolar 1 Disorder

The characteristics of this ailment are:

• It affects both men and women.

• A person can be hospitalised for at least 1 episode of mania or mixed symptoms (mania & depression) lasting for at least 7 days, preceding or post an attack of hypomania (extreme happiness) or depression.

• Depressive episodes are not mandatory.

• Bipolar 2 Disorder

Bipolar Disorder 2 symptoms in females are more prominent as compared to men.

• Depressive episode (a major one) in the present or past, with the effects lasting for at least 14 days

• Present or past experience in dealing with hypomania episodes

• Cyclothymic Disorder

The characteristics of this are —

• Not as severe as Bipolar 1 or Bipolar 2 disorders

• Frequent but not severe episodes of hypomania and depression for about 2 years

• Others

Other forms of bipolar disorder usually occur due to a particular reason – substance abuse, addiction to alcohol, or pre-existing medical conditions.