How a Person with Bipolar Thinks: According to Experts

Bipolar disorder is a mental health problem that is characterised by occurrence of sudden mood swings from manic to depressed. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 2.8% of adult persons worldwide suffer from bipolar disorder. Understanding the thought processes of a bipolar person will aid to have a more compassionate communication and gain a deeper understanding of their difficulties in the process.

Dr. Jon Grant, MD, a psychiatry specialist at the University of Chicago Medical Centre, states that "thinking processes in people living with bipolar disorder differ significantly during manic or depressive phases compared to periods of relative stability."

A study found that individuals with bipolar disorder see and understand the world in different ways than those without the condition. This emphasises the importance of comprehending the distinct psychological experiences of each individual rather than drawing broad conclusions about all patients who are afflicted at once.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder characterised by marked fluctuations in energy and mood. Basically, it comes in three forms: First is Cyclothymic Disorder which depicts cases lasting at least two years with repeated periods of hypomania symptoms and mild depressions, Bipolar II Disorder combines more frequent episodes of significant depression with episodic occurrences of hypomania. And Bipolar I involves extended manic periods or mixed depressive-manic episodes.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder include abrupt changes in mood from exceptionally high (manic) to severely low (depressive). Severe depressive episodes are typified by a prolonged period of melancholy and lethargy, while manic episodes are typified by excessive energy, impatience, and increased activity levels.

The diagnosis of bipolar disorders heavily depends on factors influencing cognitive processes. Elevated mental acceleration, along with a greater propensity to take risks, is a hallmark of manic states. Reduced cognitive abilities are a hallmark of depressive moods; these abilities manifest as difficulties with memory, focus, and making decisions.

Does Bipolar Disorder Affect How a Person Thinks?

Yes, Bipolar disorder actually has an impact on thought processes. Fast mental processing during manic episodes might lead to impulsive behaviour and a greater willingness to take risks. Conversely, depressive episodes lead to issues with concentration, judgement, and memory.

How Does a Person with Bipolar Disorder Think?

Common thought patterns during a manic episode

During a manic episode, people with bipolar disorder show acts related to rapid thinking. They think quickly, which causes them to talk constantly most of the time. This makes it hard for people around them to interrupt or keep up. Their propensity to exaggerate their own abilities frequently leads to grandiose ideas that could turn into unachievable goals or endeavours.

The heightened inclination for risk-taking behaviour, which includes things like reckless driving, spending sprees, or rash activities that don't appear to fit in with their steady demeanour, is one trait that sticks out at this time. These thought patterns are corroborated by a research titled "Quality of Life and Bipolar Disorder".

Common thought patterns during a depressive episode

Bipolar disorder, during its depressive phase, alters an individual's thoughts in numerous ways. Some of which include:

• The mind is frequently ruled by a persistent sense of guilt or worthlessness.
• Normal chores may appear daunting because of a lack of focus and ability to make decisions.
• When memory problems worsen, amnesia results.
• A negative outlook on the world around them is prevalent in their thoughts.
• At severe levels, people have frequent thoughts of suicide or death.

The UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior's Dr. David Miklowitz, PhD, observed in his article "The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide" that individuals undergoing bipolar depression frequently report these patterns.

Some of the cognitive distortion one might experience in depressive episode include:

• "All-or-nothing" thinking: Seeing things from both extremes and failing to see the compromise.
• Overgeneralization: Associating a single unfavourable incident with an unending string of mishaps.
• Negative filtering: Ignoring favourable factors and concentrating only on negative ones.
• Catastrophizing: is the act of expecting every circumstance to end badly, even when it isn't.

Grandiosity or overconfidence with quick ideas that are frequently divorced from reality are some common cognitive patterns that occur during manic phases.

How Does Bipolar Disorder Affect Memory?

Bipolar disorder is seen to have a significant effect on a person's memory. While people who are manic may have too many thoughts flowing at once, which can make it difficult for them to absorb or recall information, depressed people often have difficulties focusing and recalling specifics.

Researches have shown that regardless of their emotional state, bipolar individuals frequently have cognitive symptoms including memory loss. 

Bipolar Disorder and Psychosis

Bipolar disorder and psychosis are associated with excessive mania or depression. Psychosis is characterised by a disconnection from reality, in which there may be appearances of delusions (strong beliefs held in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary) and hallucinations (feeling, hearing, or seeing things that are not real).

When someone has bipolar disorder-related psychotic episodes, also known as "bipolar psychosis," their severe mood is accompanied by these symptoms. According to Dr. Stephen M. Strakowski, MD, of Dell Medical School - University of Texas, people who experience manic phases coupled with psychosis therefore tend to have grandiose delusions thinking themselves famous, rich, or endowed with special powers, while people who experience depressive states provoke more negative illusions like guilt over a crime one did not commit.

According to a study, between 40 and 70 percent of people have psychotic symptoms during a manic episode. They appear as formal cognitive disruptions, fragmented and transient hallucinations, and/or delusions (usually grandiose or religious, but not infrequently paranoid).

Role of Medications and Therapy in Thought Regulation

Medication is necessary to regulate mental patterns in individuals with bipolar illness. One mood stabiliser that helps lessen extreme emotional highs and lows and enhance mental clarity is lithium. Antipsychotics alter brain chemicals related to mood regulation, thereby promoting mental stability.

But therapeutic modalities like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) assist individuals in recognising and reframing their false beliefs, providing a means of accessing more helpful coping mechanisms.

Continuous support is undoubtedly important during this process; understanding cognitive changes enables affected individuals and others around them to handle challenging circumstances more skilfully, which enhances treatment outcomes overall.

Bottomline

A person with bipolar disorder has a complex mental condition that significantly impairs their mood and cognitive function. The severity of manic or depressive episodes in different kinds, such as Cyclothymic Disorder, Bipolar I, and Bipolar II, varies and is characterised by extreme lows and ecstatic highs. These times affect cognitive performance; sadness results in trouble focused or making decisions, and mania causes rushing thinking.

By altering brain chemistry, drugs like antipsychotics and mood stabilisers dramatically shift these chaotic patterns in favour of more coherent thought processes. Cognitive behavioural therapy is useful in assisting individuals in identifying unhealthy thought patterns and transitioning to healthier coping mechanisms.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do people with bipolar disorder think?

It is common for people with bipolar disorder to experience substantial cognitive alterations. Racing thoughts are a hallmark of manic episodes, which lead to increased activity and risk-taking. Conversely, depressive periods make it difficult to focus or make decisions.

How does someone feel with bipolar?

Individuals with this illness often experience a wide range of emotions; during manic episodes, they struggle with feelings of exhilaration, and during depressive episodes, they sink into despair.

What do psychologists say about bipolar disorder?

Psychologists acknowledge that bipolar disorder is a multifaceted condition that impacts not only moods but also cognitive functions and decision-making abilities. This illness is regarded as a lifelong condition by the American Psychological Association, and conventional treatment consists of both standard medication management and psychotherapy, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Psychologists highlight that a simple clinical diagnosis is not the only way to comprehend persons with this illness; empathic assistance based on personal experiences is crucial to building resilience.

Do bipolar people think logically?

For people with bipolar disorder dealing with logic has its own set of problems. While depressive episodes may contain harmful cognitive errors that impair reason, manic episodes are usually characterised by lofty, unrealistic viewpoints.