When Does Bipolar Disorder Start to Show?

What is bipolar disorder? When does bipolar disorder start to show? Find out in this comprehensive article.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that causes extreme shifts in thoughts, feelings, and behavior, called manic and depressive episodes. When does bipolar disorder start to show these episodes? Let’s learn more about manic and depressive episodes below.

What Are Manic Episodes?

Manic episodes can cause intense and exaggerated feelings of energy, euphoria, or irritability. People will usually display erratic or impulsive behaviors during these periods. They often feel more powerful, like they don’t need to sleep, and the need to engage in pleasurable activities.

What Are Depressive Episodes?

During depressive episodes, people may feel more fatigued, hopeless, or sad. They may neglect daily activities, stop doing things they enjoy, or even isolate themselves from loved ones.

We all can experience moments of ups and downs in our lives. However, fluctuating between these extremes can severely affect daily life and indicate bipolar disorder. It’s what makes struggling with bipolar disorder so confusing and difficult to deal with alone.

When Does Bipolar Disorder Start to Show?

When does bipolar disorder start to show? Bipolar disorder will commonly begin to show in late adolescence or early adulthood. While this is the most common time, individuals can begin showing signs of bipolar disorder during early childhood or late adulthood.

When does bipolar disorder start to show in different demographics?

When Does Bipolar Disorder Start to Show: Broken Down by Age

When does bipolar disorder start to show by age? Typical bipolar disorder rates by age range are:¹

13–17: 2.9%
18–29: 4.7%
30–44: 3.5%
45–59: 2.2%
60 and above: 0.7%

As you can see, bipolar disorder can affect all ages, with the highest prevalence between eighteen and twenty-nine. Getting proper treatment, regardless of age, is essential to make a full recovery.

It’s why providing information on questions like when does bipolar disorder start to show is so important.

When Does Bipolar Disorder Start to Show: Broken Down by Gender

When does bipolar disorder start to show by gender? Data shows slight differences between genders with bipolar disorder:

Adolescent females: 3.3%
Adolescent males: 2.6%
Adult females: 2.8%
Adult males: 2.9%

Bipolar Disorder Rates in North Carolina

Geographics can also play a role in bipolar disorder rates. During treatment, it’s essential to understand how different areas and lifestyles can affect mental health issues.

From 2013-2017, 4.4% of adults in North Carolina struggled with a serious mental illness, including bipolar disorder. That was a 1.7% increase in mental health rates from the previous five years. Bipolar disorder and other mental health issues are still ongoing problems today.²

Local Bipolar Disorder Treatment

At Advaita Integrated Medicine (AIM), we provide treatment to those in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and other surrounding areas like Apex, Wake Forest, and Clayton. We know the importance of providing proper resources to those struggling in these local areas.

Common Risk Factors of Bipolar Disorder

What are the risk factors that can influence when bipolar disorder starts to show? Risk factors of bipolar disorder include:³

Family history of bipolar disorder
Abuse or trauma
Childhood neglect
Excessive stress
History of medical or psychological issues
Struggles with substance abuse

Each of these risk factors can be co-occurring or contribute to bipolar disorder. At AIM, we treat the whole person and all contributing life factors.

That means we not only treat bipolar disorder but also diagnose and treat any underlying conditions that can cause or worsen bipolar symptoms and daily life.

What Are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?

When does bipolar disorder start to show? To answer that, you must know the various symptoms of bipolar. Symptoms can vary depending on the person and whether they are experiencing mania or depression. Common signs and symptoms are listed below.⁴

Common Symptoms of Mania or Hypomania

Common symptoms of mania or hypomania are:

Abnormally upbeat
Seeming jumpy or wired
Being easily agitated
Excessive over-confidence (commonly combined with euphoria)
Not sleeping as much
Overly talkative
Racing thoughts
Irrational behaviors
Being easily distracted

Common Symptoms of Depressive Episodes

Common symptoms of depressive episodes are:

Feeling sad, hopeless, or lost
Loss of interest or feelings of pleasure during enjoyable activities
Either sleeping too much or not enough
Slowed behavior
Trouble concentrating or feeling indecisive
Isolating from loved ones
Falling behind on important tasks

How Is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed?

When does bipolar disorder start to show? Different symptoms can affect the diagnostic process, as symptoms can develop or become more prominent at different stages of people’s lives.

During bipolar diagnosis, a medical professional will perform a full mental and physical exam of a patient. They will take into account different aspects of their life and symptoms. The DSM-5 criteria are commonly used to diagnose mental health conditions. The DSM-5 is a series of questions and symptoms that help diagnose mental health disorders and their severity.⁵

Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder in Raleigh

Several bipolar disorder treatment options are available. Let’s take a look at common treatments for adolescents and adults with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment for Adolescents

When does bipolar disorder start to show? For many, it’s in their adolescent stage of life.

For adolescents, treatment for bipolar disorder may include:

Medication: While mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants are the most common medications for bipolar disorder, health care providers must be more cautious when prescribing them to adolescents due to their side effects.
Psychotherapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that can help adolescents with bipolar disorder identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors contributing to their symptoms. Family-focused therapy is another type of psychotherapy that involves the entire family in treatment and can help to improve communication and support. Psychoeducation can teach adolescents about the disorder and how to manage it effectively.
Group therapy: Group therapy provides a supportive environment to discuss issues with others who are going through similar experiences. Group therapy can help adolescents with bipolar disorder develop coping skills, improve self-esteem, and learn to manage symptoms.
Lifestyle changes: It’s essential to establish a regular sleep schedule, avoid alcohol and drugs, maintain a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. Relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga can help adolescents manage stress.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment for Adults

For adults, treatment for bipolar disorder may include:

Medication: Mood stabilizers, such as lithium, valproic acid, and carbamazepine, are the most commonly used medications to treat bipolar disorder. Antipsychotics, such as risperidone and quetiapine, can effectively treat symptoms of mania or psychosis in adults. Medical professionals may also prescribe antidepressants.
Psychotherapy: CBT and psychoeducation can benefit adults as well. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) is another therapeutic method that helps people establish regular routines and improve social relationships.
Group therapy: Similar to adolescents, group therapy offers a safe and supportive environment for adults to connect with others, learn coping skills, and foster motivation.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): ECT is a treatment option that may be used for severe bipolar disorder in adults when medication and psychotherapy are ineffective. ECT involves passing an electric current through the brain, which can improve symptoms of depression or mania.
Lifestyle changes: Similar to adolescents, lifestyle changes like maintaining a regular sleep schedule, avoiding drugs and alcohol, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and practicing relaxation techniques can improve bipolar symptoms.

At AIM, we consider different aspects of an individual’s life to provide well-rounded treatment for people of all ages.

Get Help With Bipolar Disorder at AIM

AIM provides several treatment options for those with mental health conditions like bipolar disorder and substance use disorders.

If you’re looking for answers to the question “when does bipolar disorder start to show?” or trying to find diagnostic resources, we’re here to help.

Reach Out for Personalized, Sustainable Healing

We provide treatment to those in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham, and surrounding areas. You will feel welcomed and at home when you choose local treatment with us. Our knowledgeable treatment professionals will be there with you every step of the way.

Contact us to learn more about how AIM helps with bipolar treatment.

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Questions About Treatment?

Reach out to Advaita Integrated Medicine today and let us guide you toward a full and rewarding life uninhibited by mental health or substance use disorder challenges. We are here to support you every step of the way.

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