Have you ever been having a great day when, out of nowhere, your mood shifts, turning everything upside down?
Maybe it was something small—a spilled coffee, a forgotten lunch—or maybe there was no clear reason at all. One moment, you're feeling good, and the next, your mood takes a nosedive, leaving you wanting to crawl back into bed for the rest of the day.
That same sudden shift can happen with your mental health, too. You can feel like your mental health condition is under control, only to have something come along and turn it upside down. This is sometimes referred to as a mental health relapse.
With over 1 million Arizona residents living with a mental health condition, our team at Pinnacle Peak aims to help our community by shedding light on the many facets of mental health. Today we’re going to be talking about mental health relapses, specifically for bipolar disorder.
So, what exactly is a bipolar relapse?
A relapse in relation to a mental health condition is not exactly the same as one tied to a substance use disorder. When used in the mental health field, a “relapse” refers to a person returning to a state of elevated or worsened symptoms after a period of minimal or no symptoms. This can occur for various reasons and doesn’t always happen because of something the individual did.
This change in symptom severity can happen for any mental health condition. Most mental health conditions are lifelong, meaning even though they can be treated and managed, they can return under the right circumstances.
The specifics of bipolar disorder make a “relapse” less of a slip and more of a potential normality of the condition. While this isn’t always the case, let’s talk a bit more about how a “relapse” relates to bipolar disorder in particular.
Bipolar disorder in all its forms is defined by a person experiencing “episodes,” or periods where they have specific symptoms, of a certain intensity, for days, weeks, or even months at a time. At the same time, those living with bipolar disorder will also have days, weeks, months, or even years between episodes. This is very normal for this mental health condition.
There are times when someone may experience episodes at a higher frequency than others. This is often due to other factors like co-occurring conditions, stress, medication changes, and more. Because of this flexibility in downtime between episodes, if someone goes years without an episode, experiencing one might feel like a relapse.
But is it?
For those living with bipolar disorder, it can sometimes feel like an episode comes out of nowhere. However, when you’ve gone years without an episode, and one suddenly pops up, you may try to find a source.
In most cases, there usually is a source to be found.
To boil it down to one factor, bipolar disorder “relapses” are triggered by change. Here are a few common examples of what that change may look like:
These types of changes can happen to anyone, making the potential for an episode to trigger always possible. Not all changes will cause a “relapse,” but the best way to ensure they don’t is through awareness.
To understand the signs of a bipolar disorder relapse, you must first understand what type of bipolar disorder you or a loved one has. Each type of bipolar disorder has its own set of symptoms and severities that set it apart from one another.
The most common two types of bipolar disorder are bipolar I and bipolar II. Bipolar I is known for its manic episodes, whereas bipolar II is known for depressive episodes.
These are the two primary types of symptoms someone with bipolar disorder will experience: manic and depressive. The side effects of bipolar disorder are wide-ranging, and the specifics vary from person to person. Understanding the basis of these two categories, however, is important for understanding the warning signs of a bipolar disorder relapse.
Manic symptoms make someone feel elevated. This is not innately a positive thing, though some may see some side effects as positive. People experiencing mania will often have more energy and motivation but also can have a heightened sense of self. This can make them act power-hungry or rashly, making big purchases or life changes on a whim. They also are more prone to intense mood swings, usually from happy to irritated and back again. During periods of mania, sleep and appetite changes are also common.
Depressive symptoms, on the other hand, make a person feel drained. During these episodes, people will have low motivation and low self-worth. This can lead to isolation, self-neglect, and a risk of self-harm or even suicide.
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It’s a lot harder to notice a bipolar episode coming on if you’re the one experiencing it. As a loved one, you’ll have a higher chance of spotting their change in behavior. For some, it may be a sudden or rapid shift, but for others, it may be more gradual.
If you know they have a history of bipolar disorder, don’t assume their behavioral change is a one-off. Their bad day or good day could be a sign of something more.
Also, pay attention to things that may have changed in your loved one’s life recently, even positive changes can cause shifts in mental health.
While preventing an episode isn’t always possible, there are ways to lessen the severity, or mitigate the situation, depending on your circumstances.
Even though our mental health can seem like a big, daunting presence at times – we have experts who can set you up for success in managing and addressing it. It doesn’t have to be the one in charge of how you get to live your life.
The most pivotal thing you can do to prevent a bipolar disorder relapse is to set up a plan with your therapist and loved one for what to do if a relapse feels imminent.
As we mentioned earlier, it’s much more likely that an external person will notice the changes before the person themselves. Making a plan while not experiencing an episode allows you to discuss your autonomy and what steps best work for you and your loved ones to ensure everyone is safe and happy. A plan may include emergency contacts or therapy appointments or include ways to readjust work schedules, temporary living situations, and more. No one plan will look the same for everyone, you need to make it fit your needs.
The second most important thing you can do is to keep up with your mental health appointments and support groups. This doesn’t mean that you need to see your therapist every day, or even once a week. The fallacy that many people fall into occurs when they’re doing well. They think, “Oh, I don’t need to go to my support group anymore,” without realizing that the support group is what’s helping them stay in a good place. Just keep an open dialogue with your mental health team, and don’t quit your support system without discussing it with them first.
Finally, always take time to check in with yourself. Even small things like tracking your mood, stress levels, or how you’ve been sleeping can be eye-opening for spotting trends in your mental health. Don’t be afraid to have a “you” day. Don’t neglect your hobbies and passions. All of these things add up and make for stronger mental health overall.
If you or a loved one is not already in a quality bipolar treatment program, there are options available for you right here in Arizona. Programs that offer a wide range of support levels and treatment options to ensure you receive care that’s built for you.
You deserve access to compassionate care now, and our team at Pinnacle Peak Recovery is here to provide. Our wide range of evidence-based practices ensures you find the right tools to build a path of healing. Give us a call today at (866) 377-4761 to learn what we can do for you.
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