What looks like bipolar but isn't?

What Looks Like Bipolar But Isn't?

Bipolar disorder is often misunderstood. Its hallmark symptoms—extreme mood swings—are easily recognizable, but did you know there are other conditions that mimic bipolar symptoms without being the actual disorder? It’s easy to confuse, especially when someone’s mood swings seem erratic. But, understanding the difference is key for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Let’s dive into what conditions might look like bipolar disorder, but are entirely different.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder: The Basics

Before we get into the alternatives, let’s break down what bipolar disorder really is. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by drastic changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. It includes both manic (elevated mood) and depressive (low mood) episodes.

Bipolar disorder isn't just about having a "bad day" or "good day"—it involves significant shifts that interfere with daily life.

Types of Bipolar Disorder

1. Bipolar I: This involves manic episodes that last at least 7 days, or manic symptoms that are so severe they require immediate hospital care.

2. Bipolar II: Characterized by at least one hypomanic episode (less severe than mania) and one depressive episode.

3. Cyclothymic Disorder: For at least 2 years, a person experiences many periods of hypomanic symptoms and periods of depressive symptoms but does not meet the diagnostic requirements for a hypomanic episode or a depressive episode.

Now, let's look at what can mimic bipolar symptoms.

Conditions That Look Like Bipolar Disorder

There are several conditions that present with mood swings or fluctuating emotions, which are often confused with bipolar disorder.

1. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Well, you’ve probably heard of BPD in passing. It’s often mistaken for bipolar disorder because of its mood instability, but there’s a critical difference. People with BPD experience intense emotions that change rapidly, often due to interpersonal stress or fear of abandonment. These shifts are typically much quicker than the prolonged mood episodes seen in bipolar disorder.

Key Difference: The mood changes in BPD are often tied to specific triggers, whereas bipolar mood shifts can last much longer and are not as easily triggered by external events.

Personal story: A friend of mine had a tough time managing her emotional ups and downs, and we initially thought she might be dealing with bipolar disorder. However, as we explored her history and triggers, it became clear that her intense emotional reactions were more consistent with BPD than with bipolar disorder.

2. Cyclothymia

Cyclothymia (or cyclothymic disorder) is a type of mood disorder that involves periods of hypomanic symptoms (less severe than full mania) and depressive symptoms that last for at least 2 years, but these symptoms don’t fully meet the criteria for bipolar disorder. Sounds a lot like bipolar, doesn’t it?

Key Difference: Unlike bipolar disorder, the symptoms in cyclothymia are milder and don’t significantly impair your ability to function in daily life. Still, it can feel just as frustrating.

3. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

You might not expect this, but Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can also mimic the depressive episodes seen in bipolar disorder. SAD occurs during specific seasons, usually in the winter, and can cause a person to feel depressed, lethargic, or hopeless. When the season changes, the symptoms may disappear.

Key Difference: While bipolar disorder has mood swings that can happen at any time, SAD is seasonal—triggered specifically by the change in seasons and typically resolving when the season changes.

4. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Honestly, ADHD can sometimes look like bipolar because individuals with ADHD may experience impulsive behaviors, restlessness, and periods of hyperactivity that seem like the manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder.

Key Difference: ADHD symptoms tend to be chronic, whereas manic episodes in bipolar disorder come and go in cycles. Plus, people with ADHD usually don’t experience the severe depressive lows that occur with bipolar disorder.

How To Tell the Difference

So, you might be wondering how to tell these conditions apart. Well, it can be tricky. Diagnosing mental health disorders is nuanced and requires a deep understanding of the symptoms and triggers involved.

1. Duration and Triggers

• Bipolar Disorder: Episodes last for days, weeks, or even months. Manic episodes aren’t always triggered by external events.

• BPD: Mood swings are much quicker and often triggered by interpersonal stress.

• Cyclothymia: Milder symptoms that last for years but don’t impair daily functioning.

2. Severity of Symptoms

• Bipolar Disorder: The mood swings can be severe, often requiring hospitalization.

• SAD: It’s linked to specific seasons, with less severe emotional impacts during the off-season.

• ADHD: Symptoms are chronic and don’t involve the deep mood swings of bipolar disorder.

3. Treatment Options

The treatment for each condition varies. Bipolar disorder often requires medication (mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants) and psychotherapy. BPD can be treated with therapy, particularly Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Cyclothymia is also treated with mood stabilizers, similar to bipolar disorder, but on a smaller scale.

Personal reflection: If you're struggling with any of these symptoms or are confused about your emotional state, reaching out to a professional is key. It’s normal to question your own mental health, but an accurate diagnosis can be life-changing. I remember a time when I was struggling to understand whether I was simply dealing with stress or something more serious. Talking to a therapist helped clarify things.

Conclusion: Know Your Mental Health

Understanding your mental health is the first step toward taking control. While conditions like BPD, cyclothymia, or SAD may look like bipolar disorder on the surface, they each have unique symptoms and triggers. If you’re noticing mood swings, it’s worth speaking to a mental health professional to get to the root cause of the issue.

You deserve clarity, and getting the right help could make all the difference. So, if you feel like something doesn’t quite add up with your mood shifts, don't hesitate to reach out to a specialist. Trust me, it's the best first step.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.