Medical Thinking│The previous article mentioned that women who experience “premenstrual dysphoria” have mood swings, irritability, and depression. These symptoms are somewhat similar to bipolar disorder, so people may confuse the two. How to tell the difference between bipolar disorder and PMS? What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?Learn about its causes and treatment
Author:Shen JunhaoDoctor｜Responsible editor: Haiyue｜Image source: AC Photo
Medical Thinking Straight Talk│ Are women’s mood swings “premenstrual mania” or “manic depression”? Professional doctors deconstruct the difference between the two for you!
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder, also known as “bipolar disorder” or “manic depression”, is a type of severe mental illness. The patient’s emotions will be in extreme states, showing depression and manic states. Because it is a cycle of different moods, including manic and depressive states, it is similar to PMS.
Studies have found that when brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin are out of balance, problems occur in the part of the brain that controls emotions. Although the exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, it is believed to be related to genetic and environmental factors. If family members have been diagnosed or have symptoms of bipolar disorder, are under great pressure in daily life, encounter problems in interpersonal relationships, have experienced childhood trauma, and abused drugs, etc., will also increase the chance of suffering from bipolar disorder.
When the patient has an attack, his mood will become excessively high or low, and his thoughts and behaviors will be affected. This extreme mood may last for several weeks or several months, seriously affecting daily life.
When patients are in a depressed state, their mood will continue to be low, making it difficult to effectively cope with daily work and affairs. They may develop the following symptoms and last for two weeks or more:
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feeling down almost every day
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Loss of interest and enjoyment in almost all activities
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decreased or increased appetite
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Significant weight loss
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Slow thinking and reduced physical activity
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feeling tired almost every day
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Feeling worthless and guilty almost every day
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Decreased ability to think and concentrate nearly every day
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suicidal tendencies
During a manic episode, people feel unusually elevated or irritable, and they may engage in behaviors that are embarrassing, self-destructive, or even dangerous because they overestimate their abilities. Like the depressive state, it also affects the sufferer making it extremely difficult or even impossible for them to cope with daily life. Condition persists for a week or more:
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Elevated and overexcited mood
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Appears irritable, even violent when views are disagreed
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Overconfidence and arrogance, making unrealistic plans for thinking they have special powers
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Increased physical activity, increased energy, decreased sleepiness, increased libido
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Loud, fast speech, rapid thinking, inability to concentrate
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engaging in risky and risky behaviors such as gambling and drug abuse
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Reduced self-control, prone to rash and reckless decisions
The above symptoms are obviously abnormal, and the mood swings are not like ordinary emotions, and may lead to hallucinations and delusions; some patients will have mixed episodes, that is, symptoms of depression and mania at the same time.
People with bipolar disorder are not necessarily violent
A Fen is a young bipolar patient. Once, in a state of mania, she thought she was an important figure of the country. After arriving at the airport, she broke into the restricted area with a high profile, hoping to wait for the state officials to greet her in a big way, but she was restrained by the airport staff. Disappointed and angry because he did not receive the expected treatment and respect, Ah Fen fought back against the airport personnel by force, and was sent to the psychiatric ward of the hospital. Although he acted unrealistically in public, in fact, Ah Fen did not have any malicious or violent tendencies…
How do you tell the difference between bipolar disorder and PMS?
The mood of patients with bipolar disorder will wander between depression and mania; premenstrual dysphoria mainly occurs before each menstrual period, which is related to the menstrual cycle; the mood swings caused by bipolar disorder may not be related to any physical laws or cycle related.
However, patients can suffer from bipolar disorder and PMD at the same time. And some studies have shown that patients with bipolar disorder worsen at different points in the menstrual cycle, and symptoms of depression and mania usually worsen before menstruation. Since there are very few studies of this type, the relationship between the two cannot be confirmed for the time being.
Treatment and Rehabilitation
Through psychiatrist’s drug treatment and psychological treatment (some patients even need to receive brain shock treatment), Ah Fen’s high mood was stabilized. With the encouragement and support of her family and the doctor’s dedicated rehabilitation treatment, her life and communication returned to normal step by step.
Mood stabilizers play a very important role in the treatment of bipolar disorder. The doctor will meet with the patient on a regular basis to evaluate the condition. The period of medication depends on the patient’s condition. It is generally recommended that the first-time patients take the medicine for one year after stabilizing their emotions, and may not necessarily need to take the first medicine.
If you notice abnormal emotional fluctuations in the people around you, you might as well care about them more and advise early treatment! Whether it is bipolar disorder or premenstrual dysphoria, patients need the understanding and assistance of relatives and friends around them. When everyone has a better understanding of these diseases, they will find that the patients are not scary. As long as they get more understanding and acceptance, they will be able to quickly move towards recovery!
Dr. Shen Junhao
Psychiatrist
Honorary Clinical Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Honorary Clinical Associate Professor, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
MBChB, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
Dip Med in Internal Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
MRCPsych (UK), Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
FHKCPsych, Fellow of the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists
FHKAM (Psychiatry) FHKAM (Psychiatry)