Bipolar disorder in women: causes and common symptoms.

A summary of the symptoms of bipolar disorder in women, with a description of each.

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that is part of the group of mood disorders.

In this article we will focus on the typical symptoms of bipolar disorder in women, how to recognize them, and the types of bipolar disorder in women.The symptoms of bipolar disorder in women, how to recognize them, and the types of clinical expressions whose effects appear in both men and women.

The symptoms of bipolar disorder in women.

In general terms, bipolar disorder is a disorder characterized by extreme changes in mood. In its classic variant, there are stages of depression and mania.The symptoms of bipolar disorder in women, i.e., phases characterized by sadness and lack of ability to feel pleasure or motivation in the first case, and phases based on frenzy, excitement and grandiose thoughts by which the person believes he/she is capable of doing anything.

On the other hand, the symptoms of bipolar disorder in women that are more characteristic in women are the following, although the differences between sexes are usually quantitative and not qualitative, and at the end we will see the symptoms of this disorder that occur in both men and women.

1. The depressive phase predominates.

The duration and intensity of the manic and depressive phases are not necessarily symmetrical. Thus, while in the male version the manic phase is relatively prominent, in women the expressions of depression are somewhat more typical and frequent.

2. Pregnancy intensifies the effects

Although this does not have to be the case in all cases, it is very common for hormonal changes linked to pregnancy to intensify the symptoms of bipolar disorder in women. of bipolar disorder in women.

3. Menstruation intensifies the effects

In a similar way as with pregnancy, menstruation generates a domino effect due to the imbalance of hormonal regulation, which translates into more intense mania stages and depressive stages in which there is even less energy, a more marked abulia, etc., etc.etc.

4. Increased risk of suicide

In general, women are more likely than men to attempt suicide, and that is why bipolar disorder in women can be especially dangerous in that regard. Usually, these attempts are not based on trying to break or cut off body parts, but have more to do with poisoning and suffocation.

5. Increased likelihood of weight gain

Women in general have a slower metabolism than men, and are therefore more likely to accumulate body fat in a relatively short time. Due to the characteristics of the depressive stage of bipolar disorder, this sedentary lifestyle can lead women to put on weight to the point of gaining weight. can lead women to put on weight to an unhealthy extent..

6. Increased risk of the appearance of eating disorders

Perhaps due to the social pressure that exists regarding the need for women to look good, the hormonal and emotional imbalances inherent to this disorder are more likely to lead to other psychological disorders related to eating behavior. psychological disorders related to eating behavior, such as anorexia or anorexia.such as anorexia or bulimia.

Types of bipolar disorder

Regarding the symptoms of bipolar disorder that occur in both men and women, these depend on the variant of bipolar disorder we are dealing with. Let's see a summary.

Type I

In this variant the manic phase is relatively intense and long-lasting, although the depressive phase also occurs. Both can last several days, and alternate rapidly between them.

Mania is characterized by a feeling of euphoria, eagerness to do many things, and the ability to endanger oneself and others. On the other hand, psychotic-type symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, may also appear.

Type II

In this variant what prevails is the depressive stage, characterized by abulia (lack of motivation and desire to do anything, even the basic daily tasks to live well), sadness and feelings of hopelessness, and the inability to experience pleasure (anhedonia)..

Cyclothymia

Cyclothymia is a kind of less intense bipolar disorder, in which the sufferer's life is much less at risk because the symptoms are not as extreme. It usually occurs in two phases, a hypomanic phase and a phase with mild depressive symptoms..

Unspecified bipolar disorder

This category includes all cases in which the symptoms do not fit with the other types of bipolar disorder, so that there is a mixture of clinical manifestations that do not normally occur together.

Causes

The causes of this disorder are largely unknown, although it is hypothesized that it is due to a failure of the ability to regulate hormone levels. In addition, this is due in part to a predisposition to this is due in part to genetic predispositionssince it appears more frequently in those who have relatives who present it.

Bibliographical references:

• Cipriani, G., Danti, S., Carlesi, C., Cammisuli, D.M., Di Fiorino, M. (2017). Bipolar Disorder and Cognitive Dysfunction: A Complex Link. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease (Review). 205 (10): 743-756.
• Newman, C. F., Leahy, R. L., Beck, A. T., & Reilly-Harrington, N. (2005). Bipolar disorder: A cognitive therapy approach. Barcelona: Ediciones Paidós Ibérica.