Bipolar Symptoms in Women: Do They Vary From Men?
Bipolar disorder is not just a condition—it’s a powerful force that deeply impacts the lives of millions of men and women in different ways. It shapes the core of their daily experiences, influencing their emotions, relationships, and sense of self. These interferences can cause extensive stress in all areas of life, impacting loved ones as well as the person themselves.
The role that gender plays in the development of bipolar disorder remains a crucial question. Are bipolar symptoms in women more prominent than in men? Do their symptoms require different methods of care? Understanding these differences is key to unlocking more effective treatment options.
Floridians are no strangers to mental health conditions, with a survey reporting 32.3% of adults experiencing anxiety and/or depressive symptoms in 2023. Clean Recovery Centers understands the need for mental health care, launching a unique, three-phase approach to treatment that addresses both mental health and substance use disorder. Let’s explore bipolar disorder symptoms in women and how they can present differently.
How Bipolar Disorder Presents in Women
Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally, with almost 3% of the U.S. population being diagnosed. Of these cases, 83% are considered severe. Though the condition occurs this often, research on how it affects men and women differently is sporadic. For women, bipolar disorder poses challenges due to later age of onset, atypical presentations, and more frequent mixed episodes.
Women tend to present with bipolar I equally with men, but are more likely to present with bipolar II, mixed episodes, rapid cycling, and bipolar depression. The age of onset is around 21, but most women receive a diagnosis around age 45-49. Women also face higher delays before receiving treatment, 11 years. This is compared to men at 7 years.
Unraveling the Causes of Bipolar Disorder in Women
The exact causes of bipolar disorder are unknown but typically come from a combination of genetics and environment. Women are two to three times more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because of this, the likelihood of developing a comorbid mental health condition such as bipolar disorder is much higher in women.
Causes for men and women are similar overall. Having a parent or sibling with bipolar disorder, having an anxiety disorder, or taking substances can all contribute to the causes of bipolar disorder in both men and women.
Exploring the Different Types of Bipolar Disorder
Both men and women can experience the different types of bipolar disorder, but women are more prone to certain types than men. Bipolar disorder involves two different episodes of mood – mania, which is considered the “high” and depression, which is considered the “low.” Let’s look at these types further.
Bipolar I
Bipolar I disorder is characterized mainly by mania. To be diagnosed, the person must experience a manic episode for 7 days where mania lasts most of the day nearly every day. Depressive episodes also occur and can last around 2 weeks. Mania can become so severe that psychosis occurs, which requires hospitalization. It is possible to experience symptoms of mania and depression at the same time, known as mixed episodes. Those who experience four or more episodes of mania or depression are rapid cycling.
Bipolar I disorder occurs equally in men and women, but women experience higher episodes of rapid cycling than men. The rate is 30% for women compared to 17% for men. Women also have a higher risk of having antidepressants trigger rapid cycling. Women are also more likely to experience depressive symptoms than mania symptoms.
Bipolar II
Bipolar II disorder is characterized mainly by depression. There are some elements of mania, but they are not as intense as bipolar I disorder, and episodes are referred to as hypomania. Depressive episodes persist for weeks while hypomanic episodes only last for around 4 days at a time.
As we mentioned above, bipolar II disorder is more prominent in women than in men. Women are also more likely to experience bipolar depression, which is associated with bipolar II disorder.
Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic disorder involves experiencing episodes of depression and hypomania but not to the severity or as frequently to qualify as a bipolar disorder. The mood shifts are still noticeable to family and friends. The episodes are followed by normal mood, but this lasts less than 8 weeks.
Both men and women are equally affected by cyclothymic disorder, with the ratio believed to be 1:1.
Unveiling the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Women
As we mentioned above, depression is one of the biggest symptoms that affect women. The symptoms during a depressive episode include:
- Feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and anxiousness
- Sleep disturbances such as sleeping too much or not enough
- Lacking interest in hobbies
- Having difficulties completing tasks
- Having trouble concentrating or making decisions
Mania and hypomania are opposite sides of the spectrum, causing symptoms that seem more upbeat, including:
- Feeling hyper, up, or elated
- Accomplishing multiple tasks without feeling tired
- Racing or cycling thoughts
- Engaging in reckless behaviors such as substance use, sex with multiple partners, and over or under-eating
- Decreased need for sleep
Why Women Face a Higher Risk of Depression
Comorbidity of both physical and psychiatric disorders is higher in women than in men. Thyroid disease, obesity, anxiety disorders, and migraines are common in women with bipolar disorder. Weight gain is common while taking many forms of mood stabilizers and antipsychotics, which are used to treat bipolar disorder. Obesity – especially when caused by medication that is supposed to make you better – can worsen depression symptoms. Women face societal beauty standards that do not conform to weight gain, causing confidence to dwindle and further depression.
Unique Symptom Patterns: How Bipolar Affects Women Differently
Women face different symptom patterns than men due to hormonal events. Menstruation, pregnancy, and postpartum can affect mood and how medications work. Pregnancy is considered high risk as certain medications are harmful to the fetus, but at the same time, a relapse in bipolar symptoms can be detrimental to the mother. It is imperative to work with your care team if you are being treated for bipolar disorder and become pregnant.
The postpartum phase after giving birth can cause a whirlwind of emotions, specifically during puerperium. This is the first 6 to 8 weeks after giving birth and the body is returning to its pre-pregnancy state. During this time, studies have found that 25%-40% of women experience a bipolar disorder relapse. Another 36% reported the onset of bipolar disorder during this time. Postpartum psychosis (PPP) also has a higher likelihood of occurring in those with bipolar disorder at 50%-80%. For some women, a PPP event ends up leading to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
Women often are misdiagnosed with depression before bipolar disorder due to hormonal changes such as during pre-menstruation and menstruation. Premenstrual depression was reported in one-fourth of women, highlighting the reproductive cycle can worsen bipolar symptoms and disguise them as just depression.
Understanding the Risk Factors of Bipolar Disorder in Women
As we mentioned above, there is no one set of factors that guarantees the development of bipolar disorder in women. Some factors do play a role in increasing the likelihood, including:
- Having a parent or sibling diagnosed with bipolar disorder
- Experiencing a traumatic or stressful life event(s)
- Engaging in substance use
- Going through adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) including abuse, neglect, poverty, or a chaotic environment
- Experiencing noticeable sleep pattern changes which can affect mood
Having these risk factors increases the chances of developing bipolar disorder as well as other mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Those who engage in substance use are more likely to exacerbate mental health symptoms.
Treatment for Bipolar Disorder for Women in Tampa, FL
Understanding how bipolar disorder presents in women is a large part of knowing how to treat the condition. The good news is that though bipolar disorder is life-long, it is able to be managed. Bipolar disorder treatment will consist of different therapies, medications, and support groups to help you understand the condition and how to manage stress as it arises. Those with co-occurring substance use disorders will also receive treatment for both conditions at the same time, including detox and an inpatient stay. There is hope – you don’t have to get stuck in the highs and lows of bipolar disorder. Reach out for care today.
If you or someone you love is attempting to manage bipolar disorder, help is available today. Clean Recovery Centers has a full-spectrum program for bipolar disorder, substance use disorder, and co-occurring disorders. Each of our facilities has a certified, rapid-resolution therapist onsite to help heal past traumas that may be contributing to your bipolar disorder. Call us today at (888) 330-2532 to learn more about our program offerings.
Get clean. Live clean. Stay clean.
