Bipolar disorder is a condition that causes extreme swings in mood that affect thoughts, behaviors, and energy levels. It can also affect a person’s sleep, including causing unusually vivid dreams, nightmares, and night terrors.1 This can be a frustrating experience for people who are already dealing with the ups and downs of their condition. Unfortunately, some … Read more
Euthymia in bipolar disorder is a term used to describe a relatively stable mood state, where you are neither manic/hypomanic nor depressed. However, some dictionaries have offered variations of the definition which can be confusing when used in the context of a mental illness. To complicate matters even further, a significant number of people diagnosed with bipolar euthymia will … Read more
Psychosis is a condition characterized by the presence of delusions (false conceptions about what is happening or who you are) and/or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there). When someone is experiencing psychosis, they are unable to distinguish between what is real and what is fantasy. Psychosis is a symptom of other disorders, such … Read more
A somatic delusion is a false belief that a person’s internal or external bodily functions are abnormal. This belief may also extend to viewing one’s physical appearance as very irregular. Also known as monosymptomatic hypochondriacal psychosis, this condition is a very rare form of a delusion. It’s hard to convince people suffering from somatic delusions that … Read more
Emotional lability is the tendency to shift rapidly and dramatically between different emotional states. People with high emotional lability are often described as “sensitive” or having “thin skin.” They may quickly transition between positive emotions like happiness, joy, excitement, enthusiasm, and amusement. But they also tend to experience negative feelings such as sadness more deeply … Read more
What Is a Thought Disorder? A thought disorder involves a disturbance in how thoughts are organized and expressed. It causes disorganized thinking and leads to people expressing themselves in unusual ways when speaking or writing.1 Formal thought disorder is also known as disorganized speech. It is marked by disruption to the structure or form of thought. It … Read more
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that causes individuals to have intense mood swings ranging from euphoric mania or hypomania to devastating depression.1 Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), is an illness marked by a lack of empathy, grandiosity, and a desperate need for validation.2 These are two conditions that require lifelong treatment. While they are fundamentally different, there is some overlap between … Read more
If you’ve ever been in a highly stressful situation, you’ve likely experienced the fight-or-flight response. Your pulse races, your breathing speeds up, your pupils dilate—all in response to a perceived danger. These symptoms serve an important purpose in some situations, but they can feel disruptive and uncomfortable in others. Someone with a mental health condition, … Read more
If you or a friend have bipolar disorder, you might wonder how to support your health or what you can do to best support them as they deal with the ups and downs of their condition. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes mood episodes that can affect a person’s moods, thoughts, and behaviors. Unfortunately, … Read more
If you struggle to maintain employment due to your bipolar disorder, it’s important to understand your rights. Bipolar disorder is a qualified condition for disability, but that doesn’t mean everyone with bipolar disorder is automatically granted supplemental security income (SSI) or disability payments. Psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder qualify as disabilities eligible for the legal protections provided by … Read more