In addition to dealing with extreme swings in mood, attitude, and energy, many people with bipolar disorder experience a disconcerting set of symptoms that are referred to as bipolar psychosis.
What Is Bipolar Psychosis?
To understand bipolar psychosis, it can be helpful to first review how people are impacted by bipolar disorder itself.
The symptoms and episodes that are characteristic in bipolar disorder stories include:
- Manic episodes: These are periods of elevated mood, confidence, motivation, and impulsivity. During a manic episode, a person may launch multiple projects, become more energetic and talkative, demonstrate little need for sleep, and engage in dangerous behaviors such as substance abuse, spending sprees, and unsafe sex. To qualify as a manic episode as defined in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a person must experience these types of symptoms most of the day, most days, for at least a week.
- Hypomanic episodes: These are similar to manic episodes, except some symptoms may be a bit less intense and the entire experience may only last for four days.
- Major depressive episodes: These are, in a sense, the opposite of manic episodes. While in a major depressive episode, a person may exhibit persistent sadness, have little to no energy, lack motivation and self-confidence, and experience recurrent thoughts of death, which may or may not include suicidal ideation. As established in the DSM-5, a major depressive episode will involve symptoms that are present most of the day, most days, for at least two consecutive weeks.
- Some people also have mixed episodes, which are periods during which they simultaneously experience both manic and depressive symptoms.
Having bipolar disorder doesn’t mean that a person will go through all the episode types listed above. Though we commonly refer to bipolar disorder as a single mental health condition, there are actually three distinct versions:
- Bipolar I disorder involves manic episodes. A person with bipolar I disorder may also have major depressive episodes, but only manic episodes are required for this diagnosis.
- Bipolar II disorder includes hypomanic episodes and major depressive episodes.
- Cyclothymic disorder consists of both hypomanic and depressive symptoms, but neither symptom type persists long enough to qualify as a full episode.
In addition to meeting the criteria for a bipolar disorder diagnosis, many people also develop symptoms that distort their ability to accurately perceive their environment and interact with others. These additional symptoms are referred to as bipolar psychosis or bipolar disorder psychosis.
Research indicates that more than half of all people with bipolar disorder will experience psychotic symptoms at some point during their lifetime. Here is one of many bipolar psychosis stories.
Symptoms of Bipolar Psychosis
Contrary to a common misunderstanding, psychosis is not a mental health disorder. Instead, it is a set of symptoms that can include:
- Hallucinations: Seeing, hearing or otherwise sensing things that do not actually exists
- Delusions: Rigidly clinging to beliefs that are easily disproved or clearly disconnected from reality
- Disorganized speech: Impaired ability to organize your thoughts and communicate in a logical, understandable manner
- Grossly disorganized behavior: Acting in a childlike manner, dressing in a bizarre fashion, or otherwise behaving unpredictably and inappropriately
- Negative symptoms: Demonstrating limited expressiveness, speaking in a flat monotone voice, and showing minimal desire to interact with others
Symptoms of psychosis are associated with several mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder.
They can also occur as a result of substance abuse, brain tumors, Alzheimer’s disease, some prescription medications, and sleep deprivation.
In cases of bipolar psychosis, delusions are the most common symptoms, followed by hallucinations. People with bipolar psychosis may also struggle with disorganized thoughts, speech, and behaviors, as well as negative symptoms.
What Causes Bipolar Psychosis?
Experts have not yet identified a sole cause of bipolar disorder psychosis. However, a systematic review of 339 studies that were published between 1940—2021 found that the following factors can increase a person’s risk of developing these symptoms:
- Type of bipolar disorder: Bipolar disorder psychosis can affect people with all types, but it is most common among those who have bipolar I disorder.
- Severity of symptoms: People who have particularly severe symptoms of bipolar disorder are more likely to also develop psychotic symptoms.
- Types of episodes: Bipolar psychosis occurs most frequently among people who are in the midst of a manic or mixed episode.
Treatment Options
Treatment for bipolar psychosis can involve a range of therapies and support services, and may take place on an inpatient, residential, or outpatient basis.
The ideal type and level of care can vary from one patient to the next depending on factors such as the nature and severity of their symptoms, the effectiveness of their personal support network, and the presence of any co-occurring mental or behavioral health concerns.
Elements of care that may be incorporated into treatment for bipolar psychosis include:
- Prescription medication
- Individual psychotherapy
- Group sessions
- Family therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- Ketamine therapy
Contact Conscious Health to Discuss Our Unique Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder
Conscious Health offers personalized outpatient care for adults who have been living with bipolar disorder and other complex mental health concerns.
When you choose our bipolar disorder treatment center in Los Angeles, you can expect to receive concierge-level services from a small team of experienced professionals. We’ll work closely with you to identify the specific therapies and support services that best align with your unique needs and goals.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please fill out our contact form or call us today.
Published: 01/08/2025