Symptomatic Seasonal Patterns in Bipolar Disorders

Many people are knowledgeable about bipolar disorder in that it is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania and hypomania) and lows (depression). 

Manic/Hypomanic and Depressive Episode Criteria

Mania occurs when abnormally high energy levels, racing thoughts, increased talkativeness, decreased need for sleep, impulsive behaviors, and a grandiose sense of self-importance. People in this heightened state experience partaking in risk-taking behaviors, impulsivity, distractibility, and difficulty concentrating. Hospitalization usually occurs in those who experience mania. Hypomania is categorized as the milder version of the symptoms listed above. However, the required criteria are that the symptoms last at least four consecutive days and present most of the day or nearly every day with no hospitalization being present. The requirement for mania is that the symptoms last at least one week and present most of the day and almost every day.

During the depressive state of bipolar disorder, people may experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest or pleasure in activities they once enjoyed. Other symptoms mirror those listed in major depressive disorder: changes in appetite, food intake, and sleep, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death.

Differences in BPI and BPII

The main difference between  BPI and BPII is the severity of the manic episodes. In BPI, manic episodes are more severe, last longer, and can cause significant impairment in daily functioning. Additionally, people with BPI may experience psychotic symptoms during manic episodes, such as hallucinations or delusions. In BPII, people only experience hypomanic episodes as the symptoms do not cause the same level of impairment as manic episodes in BPI.

Seasonal Pattern as a Specifier

While other diagnoses may be specified or unspecified with BP disorders, some clinical diagnoses include the specifiers. Specifiers in mental health conditions provide additional details about the particular presentation of the disorder. In the case of BP disorders, the specifiers help clinicians better understand the specific characteristics and patterns of the mood swings being experienced. This is very different from someone saying that they are happy for one minute and that they aren’t happy for the other minute. 

Several specific specifiers that can be used to describe a specific presentation someone with bipolar might experience are “with anxious distress,” “with rapid cycling,” or “with catatonia.” This means there are specific symptoms associated with these specifiers with someone presenting with Bipolar and clinical judgment has been used to ensure that the symptoms cannot be explained with any other diagnosis. This is why the Seasonal patterns (also known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD) in BP disorders indicate whether the mood episodes follow a seasonal pattern, such as occurring during specific seasons like winter or summer. This information is vital for tailoring the treatment approach and understanding how environmental factors may influence the condition.

BP Symptoms during the Seasons

What we know is that during the summer, studies show that bipolar symptoms exacerbate. So, there is an increase in manic or hypomanic episodes. Similar to seasonal affective disorder, when there is a change in sunlight and longer days during the summer months, those with BP may experience a shift in mood. This is mainly why many facilities experience an influx of hospital admissions during the summer. However, there are studies show that manic/hypomanic symptoms peak around the fall equinox as well.

During the winter, some individuals with BP experience a worsening of depressive symptoms. Reduced sunlight and shorter days in winter contribute to symptoms such as decreased energy levels, increased fatigue, or changes in sleep patterns. These symptoms tend to start showing up more frequently in late fall. It is essential to recognize that not all individuals experience seasonal patterns, and the impact of seasonal changes varies from person to person. Most studies show that symptoms can change in intensity or cycle in early spring.

Conclusion

It is important to note that some people experience rapid shifts in cyclic mood episodes during seasonal changes, while others do not. There is also no significant difference between genders. As each individual’s cycle differs, seasonal episodes may be easy to predict but difficult to prevent. This is why it is imperative that if anyone suspects that they are experiencing any mental health condition, they seek professional guidance for proper treatment.