A person can have bipolar disorder and anxiety at the same time. When someone has both conditions, one may affect the other, and this will influence their treatment.
Bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders have
According to one 2019 review,
Therefore, it is important for doctors to screen people regularly for both conditions.
Read on to learn more about the connection between anxiety and bipolar disorder.
Anxiety disorders often occur alongside other mental health conditions. However, they are particularly common in people with bipolar disorder.
People with bipolar disorder are
People with bipolar disorder tend to have the following types of anxiety disorders:
Experts are not entirely sure why bipolar disorder and anxiety are connected. As the causes of many psychiatric conditions are not fully understood, and their respective diagnostic criteria can overlap, it may be
Some researchers theorize that certain anxiety disorders are overdiagnosed in people with bipolar disorder.
A
For 78% of participants, OCD symptoms worsened during their depressive episodes. The study indicates that 64% saw symptoms improve or disappear during periods of mania or hypomania.
Although the link between bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders is not well understood, it is clear that it is prevalent.
Both bipolar disorder and anxiety are treatable, manageable conditions. However, it is important to distinguish between the two, as this will affect the type of medication and therapy a healthcare professional will prescribe.
When a person has both conditions, they may find their anxiety affects the symptoms of bipolar disorder. This could
If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours per day at 800-273-8255. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 800-273-8255.
Click here for more links and local resources.
Although anxiety and bipolar disorders have some similarities, they have distinct sets of symptoms and diagnostic criteria.
However, some symptoms suggest a person may have co-occurring anxiety. They include:
Learn more about the symptoms of anxiety and bipolar disorder here.
If someone has an anxiety disorder in addition to bipolar disorder, a doctor should diagnose and treat the conditions together.
Treating one condition and not the other can be
When a doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist is developing a person’s treatment plan, they will take multiple factors into consideration. Usually, medication and therapy form the basis of the treatment plan.
Initially, a doctor will
They will assess the impact of the medication over several weeks and then decide if additional medication is needed.
Because antidepressants are an effective anti-anxiety medication, a doctor may prescribe a very low dose. They will do this carefully to avoid triggering a manic episode.
There are several types of therapy that can help someone with bipolar disorder and anxiety. They include:
CBT teaches people to
The goal of family therapy is to reduce stress within a family unit. Stress can worsen anxiety and bipolar disorder symptoms, so it is important that people try to alleviate stressors as much as possible. Family therapy can help both the individual and their family members.
A person with bipolar disorder can have changes in mood that prevent them from completing day-to-day tasks and socializing. However, keeping steady social rhythms and habits helps stabilize mood. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy teaches people to record their moods and activities, so they can plan for, and effectively manage, disruptions to their routine.
There are several support options for people with bipolar disorder and anxiety.
DBSA is an organization that empowers people with bipolar disorder and anxiety. It has a range of free resources, including podcasts and videos, to help people and their loved ones.
Learn more about DBSA here.
MoodNetwork is a team of psychologists, researchers, and mental health advocates. They all have experience, either personal or professional, with bipolar disorder and anxiety.
They gather information and feedback from people with mood disorders and use it to research new treatment methods.
Learn more about MoodNetwork here.
People living with bipolar disorder are
A person usually receives medication and therapy as part of their treatment plan. Support groups, such as DBSA and MoodNetwork, have excellent resources and provide a sense of community for people living with bipolar disorder and anxiety.
Last medically reviewed on September 29, 2021
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