Can you control bipolar disorder

Being overweight can complicate recovery and increase the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure , and anxiety. Doctors do not know what causes bipolar disorder, but it may be due to an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. These chemicals, also called neurotransmitters, are noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin.

Serotonin can also affect appetite. It may be that when serotonin levels are low, people experience cravings for carbohydrates and sweet foods. Learning and practicing new recipes during times of positive mood may help a person to establish these habits.

Moderate and regular exercise can help to balance mood and prevent a number of health problems, such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. There is a lack of evidence to show that physical activity can specifically help people with bipolar disorder, but some research suggests it may help to improve mood during a low phase. More studies are needed to find out how much exercise an individual should have, how often, and how intense the activity should be, especially as bipolar disorder involves a number of physical and psychological factors.

One study found that 56 percent of people with the condition had at some time experienced addiction involving either alcohol or drugs. Certain circuits in the brain play a role in pursuing rewarding experiences. One study has suggested that people with bipolar disorder have stronger activation in these circuits.

This may be what drives the person towards risky behavior. The positive side of this, say the authors of the study, is that it encourages people to work with energy toward their goals and ambitions. On the other hand, it may mean that an individual focuses fully on the short-term rewards of a decision while disregarding the possible long-term risks. Friends who are aware of the risks might, for example, suggest going to see a movie instead of a bar on a night out. It is not always possible to prevent a manic episode, but as the condition progresses, the individual and their friends and family may start to notice the signs of a mood change.

If you have people around you, try to share with them what is happening so that they can support you. Other remedies that do not involve the use of traditional drugs include supplements and counseling. Some people with bipolar disorder use herbs or supplements in an attempt to relieve their symptoms. The fish oil extract omega-3 may help, according to some studies. Scientists have found that bipolar disorder is less common in countries where people consume a lot of fish.

People with depression may also have lower levels of omega-3 in their blood. Omega-3 fatty acids may have numerous health benefits, but it is best to eat them in their natural form.

Cold-water fish, nuts, and plant oils are good sources. Some scientists think magnesium has a role regulating mood and both manic and depressive episodes and work with the medications to make them work effectively. As a result, some doctors may recommend magnesium supplements. Discuss magnesium supplements with your doctor. Taking a multivitamin will include the daily recommended dosage of magnesium. You may want to take a family member or friend along to your appointment, if possible, for support and to help remember information.

Your doctor will likely ask you a number of questions. Be ready to answer them to reserve time to go over any points you want to focus on. Your doctor may ask:. Bipolar disorder care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis To determine if you have bipolar disorder, your evaluation may include: Physical exam. Your doctor may do a physical exam and lab tests to identify any medical problems that could be causing your symptoms. Psychiatric assessment. Your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist, who will talk to you about your thoughts, feelings and behavior patterns.

You may also fill out a psychological self-assessment or questionnaire. With your permission, family members or close friends may be asked to provide information about your symptoms.

Mood charting. You may be asked to keep a daily record of your moods, sleep patterns or other factors that could help with diagnosis and finding the right treatment. Criteria for bipolar disorder. Your psychiatrist may compare your symptoms with the criteria for bipolar and related disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5 , published by the American Psychiatric Association.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Reilly-Harrington NA et al. Journal of Affective Disorders. Bipolar and related disorders. Arlington, Va. Accessed Dec. Bipolar disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. Bipolar disorder in children and teens. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Rochester, Minn. Suppes T, et al. Bipolar disorder in adults: Clinical features. Axelson D, et al.

Pediatric bipolar disorder: Overview of choosing treatment. Birmaher B. Pediatric bipolar disorder: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and course. Picardi A, et al. Have patience with the treatment process. It can take time to find the right program that works for you. Communicating with your treatment provider. Your treatment program will change over time, so keep in close contact with your doctor or therapist.

Talk to your provider if your condition or needs change and be honest about your symptoms and any medication side effects. Taking your medication as instructed. Getting therapy. While medication may be able to manage some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder, therapy teaches you skills you can use in all areas of your life.

Therapy can help you learn how to deal with your disorder, cope with problems, regulate your mood, change the way you think, and improve your relationships. By the time obvious symptoms of mania or depression appear, it is often too late to intercept the mood swing, so keep a close watch for subtle changes in your mood, sleeping patterns, energy level, and thoughts.

If you catch the problem early and act swiftly, you may be able to prevent a minor mood change from turning into a full-blown episode of mania or depression. Make a list of early symptoms that preceded your previous mood episodes. Also try to identify the triggers, or outside influences, that have led to mania or depression in the past. Common triggers include:. Keeping a mood chart is one way to monitor your symptoms and moods.

You can use your mood chart to spot patterns and indicators of trouble ahead. The coping techniques that work best will be unique to your situation, symptoms, and preferences. It takes experimentation and time to find a winning strategy. However, many people with bipolar disorder have found the following tools to be helpful in reducing symptoms and maintaining wellness:. Despite your best efforts, there may be times when you experience a relapse into full-blown mania or severe depression.

In crisis situations where your safety is at stake, your loved ones or doctor may have to take charge of your care. Such times can leave you feeling helpless and out of control, but having a crisis plan in place allows you to maintain some degree of responsibility for your own treatment.

A list of emergency contacts for your doctor, therapist, and close family members. Symptoms that indicate you need others to take responsibility for your care, and information about any other health problems you have. Treatment preferences such as who you want to care for you, what treatments and medications do and do not work, and who is authorized to make decisions on your behalf. Having a strong support system is essential to staying happy and healthy. Often, simply having someone to talk to face-to-face can be an enormous help in relieving bipolar depression and boosting your outlook and motivation.

The more people that you can turn to who will be available and good listeners, the more likely you are to manage your moods. Support for bipolar disorder starts close to home. Isolation and loneliness can cause depression, so regular contact with supportive friends and family members is therapeutic in itself. Your loved ones care about you and want to help. Join a bipolar disorder support group. You can also benefit from the shared experiences and advice of the group members.

Build new relationships. Isolation and loneliness make bipolar disorder worse. Try taking a class, joining a church or a civic group, volunteering, or attending events in your community.

Your lifestyle choices , including your sleeping, eating, and exercise patterns, have a significant impact on your moods. There are many things you can do in your daily life to get your symptoms under control and to keep depression and mania at bay.

Build structure into your life. Developing and sticking to a daily schedule can help stabilize the mood swings of bipolar disorder. Include set times for sleeping, eating, socializing, exercising, working, and relaxing. Try to maintain a regular pattern of activity even through emotional ups and downs.

Exercise frequently and avoid sitting for long periods of time. Exercise has a beneficial impact on mood and may reduce the number of bipolar episodes you experience. Aerobic exercise such as running, swimming dancing, climbing or drumming — all activities that keep both arms and legs active are especially effective at treating depression. Try to incorporate at least 30 minutes of activity into your daily routine. Ten minutes here and there is just as effective as exercising for longer periods of time.

Walking is a good choice for people of all fitness levels. Keep a strict sleep schedule. For some people, losing even a few hours can cause problems.