Close to 5.7 million Americans have bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is equally common in men and women, but there are gender differences in the way that bipolar disorder manifests itself. Here are the main differences in bipolar disorder in men vs. women.
Bipolar Disorder in Men vs. Women: Onset of the Disorder
The onset of bipolar disorder tends to occur later in women than in men. Boys are more prone than girls to develop bipolar disorder before puberty.
Bipolar Disorder in Men vs. Women: Episodic Behavior
The types of mood episodes men and women with bipolar disorder experience are slightly different. In general, research shows that women experience more episodes of depression and are more likely to develop bipolar II disorder, which is a milder form of the disorder. Men, on the other hand, are more prone to manic episodes and tend to have more severe forms of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Disorder in Men vs. Women: Rapid Cycling
Women with bipolar disorder are more prone to rapid cycling than men, which means having four or more episodes of depression and mania in one year. This is attributed to thyroid levels, reproductive hormones and the fact that women are more likely to use antidepressants, which has been reported to cause episodes of mania in people with bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Disorder in Men vs. Women: Effects
Bipolar disorder affects men and women differently, causing them to act out in different ways. Men tend to act out more during mania by doing things like fighting, yelling and drinking. Men with bipolar disorder are also more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol to cope with their illness. Even though men have more severe symptoms, they are less likely than women to voluntarily seek help for their disorder, putting them more at risk for suicide than women. Women face unique effects of bipolar disorder, including complications of managing the disorder during and after pregnancy. Other medical conditions such as migraines, obesity, anxiety and panic disorders are also more common in women with bipolar disorder than in men.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment
There are a variety of effective treatment options available for men and women with bipolar disorder, including medication, psychotherapy and holistic therapies.
The most popular forms of bipolar medication are Mood Stabilizers (such as Lithium, Depakote, Lamictal, Topamax, etc.), Atypical Antipsychotic Medications (such as Zyprexa, Abilify, Seroquel, Risperdal, etc.), and Antidepressants (such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, etc.).
In addition to medication, psychotherapy — or “talk” therapy — can be very effective at preventing bipolar disorder episodes. Some psychotherapy treatments used in bipolar treatment are cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, and psychoeducation.
Some people have found success at preventing bipolar disorder symptoms with holistic treatments like herbal supplements. There is little research about the effects of herbal supplements on bipolar disorder, yet some people report experiencing marginal relief by taking the herb St. John’s wort and increasing their intake of omega-3 fatty acids, which is most commonly found in fish oil. It is very important, however, to talk with a doctor before taking any herbal or natural supplements because there is a serious risk of interactions with other medications.
At Casa Palmera, we understand how difficult it is to suffer from mental illness. Our caring staff is highly skilled and trained at helping men and women manage their bipolar disorder through traditional and holistic methods of bipolar treatment. Don’t suffer in silence any longer. Call Casa Palmera today at 888.481.4481.
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