High-Functioning Bipolar Disorder: Why Do Some Seem to Have It Together?
Remember high school, where everyone looked at each other and would find something to judge? The girl wearing hand-me-down clothes from her older sister was labeled as “poor.” The guy playing three sports was labeled as a “jock.” Some labels didn’t cause any pain, while others were hurtful and affected the person’s mental health.
The same can happen with conditions. Maybe you confided in a friend that you have been feeling down lately due to your bipolar disorder, only to be met with “You don’t act like you have that, you function every day.” Leading you to believe she must be right, you are fine.
These negative labels can cause more harm than good. Between 2017 and 2019, 643,000 Floridians experienced serious thoughts of suicide. How many of these people were told “You are high-functioning, you don’t need help.”
Clean Recovery Centers knows how important mental health is regardless of perceived functionality. Let’s take a look at what “high-functioning” bipolar disorder really means, the symptoms behind it, and how to develop coping strategies.
Exploring “High-Functioning” Bipolar Disorder: What It Really Means
“High-functioning” bipolar disorder is not a medical term for the condition. Instead, it describes someone who has a bipolar disorder but can still maintain daily tasks and responsibilities without much hindrance. However, this does not mean they don’t still experience symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Why the Term “High-Functioning Bipolar Disorder” Can be Problematic
When someone is described as “high-functioning” the conception is that they have a condition but it does not require extensive care. When it comes to mental health, it can be easy to label someone as “high-functioning” because they are not utilizing care such as therapy, psychiatrists, or medications.
The problem behind labeling someone as having “high-functioning” bipolar disorder is they may actually want to get help but are afraid of being judged or labeled another way. Bipolar disorder is life-long and episodes will cycle between manic and depressive. The person may have found what works for them during depression, making them seem “high-functioning.” In actuality, they may have unhealthy coping skills that go unnoticed and need resources during this time. The same can be said when experiencing mania.
Identifying Symptoms of “High-Functioning” Bipolar Disorder
As we mentioned above, bipolar disorder is characterized by cycling between episodes of mania and depression. There are two types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder. Bipolar I disorder involves mania, mixed episodes, and depression, while bipolar II disorder involves depressive episodes and hypomania. A third condition, known as cyclothymic disorder, involves experiencing mood swings and shifts but not the extent of being diagnosed with a bipolar disorder. Let’s look at how mania and depressive symptoms vary among “high-functioning” bipolar disorders.
Recognizing Manic Symptoms: Signs of “High-Functioning” Bipolar Disorder
Mania and hypomania are described as the “high” of bipolar disorder as they are when mood is elated and up. Hypomania is not as severe as mania, though it does still increase mood to some level. Symptoms of mania include:
- Intense excitement or elation
- Surges of high-energy
- Multiple ideas at once and ambitious plans
- Elevated sense of self-importance
- Lack of appetite or need for sleep
- Speaking rapidly
- Engaging in risky behaviors or making uncharacteristic decisions
These symptoms can vary from person-to-person and episode-to-episode. Someone who is considered “high-functioning” will experience these symptoms at a level that isn’t as interfering with their work or home life as someone else. Again, it can also mean that the person experiences these symptoms at an intense level but does not let anyone know. Their mental health can be in anguish but they continue to keep going because they have to.
It is important to note that mania in bipolar I disorder can also cause a psychotic episode involving hallucinations and delusions. Even if the person has been managing “high-functioning” bipolar disorder for months or years on their own, the next manic episode can still trigger a psychotic episode to occur. This is a medical emergency and requires professional attention.
Understanding Depressive Symptoms: The Other Side of “High-Functioning” Bipolar Disorder
Depressive episodes in bipolar disorder share similar symptoms of depression. This is where mood is at its lowest in bipolar disorder, and symptoms include:
- Persistent sadness
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies
- Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
- Fatigue
- Trouble with memory and concentration
- Overwhelming feelings of guilt
- Appetite changes including eating too much or not enough
- Difficulty sleeping
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Both bipolar I and II disorder experience depressive episodes, though they are more prominent in bipolar II disorder. Someone with “high-functioning” bipolar disorder may seem to have it together on the outside, but in reality, the depressive episode is taking a lot of their energy. They may make it to work each day and get tasks done, but other areas that are not seen may be falling apart. These include housework, paying bills on time, and engaging in social activities.
Depressive symptoms also can vary from each episode. During an episode where they are more mild, people may perceive the person as “high-functioning”. This type of stigma makes it difficult to seek mental health help for conditions such as bipolar disorder – and in the long run – worsens the overall well-being of the person.
Why Some Thrive with Bipolar Disorder While Others Don’t: A Closer Look
Bipolar disorder affects each person differently. Some will experience milder episodes while others are much more debilitating. Mental health conditions are constantly being further researched to find out why functionality varies from person to person, with bipolar disorder being no different.
One study highlighted a staging model in bipolar disorder and how it connects with impaired functioning. Participants met the criteria of a bipolar disorder and were in remission of symptoms for at least one month. Utilizing functioning assessments and neuropsychological assessments, the participants were divided into four categories.
The results showed that those in stage I showed higher occupational functioning than stage II. Similarly, stage IV participants showed more severe autonomy impairment than stage III. Stages III and IV were more cognitively impaired than the control group whereas stages I and II performed almost the same as the control.
This study shows the importance of understanding how bipolar disorder affects everyone differently and how the scale goes beyond just “high-functioning” and “disabled.”
Navigating the Diagnosis of “High-Functioning” Bipolar Disorder
As we talked about above, there is no official diagnosis of “high-functioning” bipolar disorder. However, hearing the diagnosis from your doctor can be overwhelming. You may be wondering what this means and what you need to do for the future. Despite bipolar disorder being life-long, many treatment options are available to help manage the symptoms. Medications, therapies, and coping skill development will be crucial in keeping your mood stable and allowing you to live a healthy and fulfilling life.
Effective Coping Strategies for Living with “High-Functioning” Bipolar Disorder
There are many coping strategies that can aid in living with bipolar disorder. Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind:
Keep up with your treatment program: Consistency is key in treating mental health conditions. Take all of your medications as prescribed and on-time each day. If you are experiencing negative effects, consult with your doctor immediately. Continue seeing your care team including your therapist and/or mental health professional to continue building into your progress.
Track mood changes: Bipolar disorder causes mood to fluctuate. By tracking when mood changes, you will be able to identify when they are occurring. This can help you better understand your triggers and what is causing your mood to cycle at these times.
Develop a support network: Make a note of family and friends that you feel comfortable going to for support during stressful times. Having those extra people to turn to can give you a safe place to turn when times are difficult.
Don’t be afraid to focus on yourself: Bipolar disorder can make your mental health feel all over the place. If you need to take a day to decompress, don’t be afraid to do so. Channeling your energy into something distracting like a new hobby can also help you recenter and be ready for the next day.
Treatment for “High-Functioning” Bipolar Disorder in Hillsborough County, FL
You may feel like your bipolar disorder is “high-functioning” and handling your mood changes is normal. You may even feel you have to keep up this appearance for those around you – not yourself. The truth of the matter is, you don’t have to keep feeling this way. Bipolar disorder treatment is nothing to feel guilty or shameful about and can help you understand how the condition works. Through guided therapies and coping skill development, you will have the knowledge needed to move forward and begin feeling good in life. “High-functioning” is just a label – you are a person with thoughts and feelings. It’s time to rip that label off.
If you or someone you love is trying to cope with bipolar disorder alone, help is available today. Clean Recovery Centers has a full-spectrum program including a unique, three-phase approach unlike any around. We offer specialized programming and have a certified rapid-resolution therapist at each of our locations to address past trauma. Call us today at (888) 330-2532 to learn more about our program offerings.
Get clean. Live clean. Stay clean.
