- January 9, 2025
Bipolar disorder is an illness that affects the mood and behavior of patients. Its symptoms include extreme mood swings, which may include manic or hypomanic episodes whereby a person feels extremely energetic or impulsive, and depressed episodes when they feel sad or hopeless.
These changes might alter the way daily activities or interpersonal relationships are done. There is a need, therefore, to understand how bipolar disorder might change as individuals grow older to address the illness appropriately for treatment and management. This blog shall explain if bipolar disorder worsens with age and how best to manage it as people grow older.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a form of psychological disorder that refers to abnormal alterations of mood states. The variations of bipolar disorders are:
Bipolar I
This is characterized by manic episodes that last at least seven days or are of such duration that the person requires hospitalization. Depressive episodes are also present and may last several weeks.
Bipolar II
This disorder has relatively less severe manic episodes, that is also referred to as hypomania, without depressive episodes.
Cyclothymic Disorder
This category includes features that qualify the condition as having hypomania associated with depressive symptoms, but don’t meet any of the requirements for either mania or depression.
The basic symptoms include episodes of mania or hypomania and episodes of depression. These episodes disrupt the social relationships of many and cause difficulties in the ordinary activities of daily life. Young adults form the main age population diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but it can be diagnosed at any age.
Can Bipolar Disorder Get Worse with Age?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that occurs due to several unknown reasons. For several individuals, bipolar disorder gets worse with age when left untreated. Leaving it untreated can lead to more frequent and intense mood episodes. Understanding how aging influences bipolar symptoms is essential. Particularly, bipolar symptoms in older adults can be harder to recognize and may overlap with age-related cognitive or physical health conditions.
Understanding Bipolar Progression
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong affliction. However, the way it progresses differs from one person to another. For some, it means fewer episodes over time; for others, their symptoms can intensify over a prolonged period. Bipolar disorder can still be managed well by people even as they reach an elderly age.
Impact of Aging on Bipolar Symptoms
As an individual struggling with bipolar disorder gets older, sometimes the pattern or even the severity of mood episodes may shift. For instance, some elderly persons might have long periods of consistent moods while others may have experienced mood swings more often or even to a more severe level.
Other conditions that might predispose to mental illness, such as anxiety disorder or substance use disorder, can also increase an individual’s vulnerability with age, and management of comorbid conditions assumes special importance in old age.
Factors That Can Worsen Bipolar Disorder With Age
For individuals who lack proper care, bipolar gets worse without treatment, leading to more disruptive mood episodes, cognitive decline, and a reduced quality of life. In addition to hormonal changes, biological changes, neurological aging, and coexisting medical conditions can also aggravate the condition.
In particular, bipolar 2 gets worse with age when depressive episodes remain untreated or poorly managed. Factors that can worsen the bipolar disorder include:
Lack of treatment or inconsistent management
Untreated bipolar disorder tends to worsen over time. Proper treatment with medication and therapy is essential for managing symptoms. Those who do not stick to their treatment plan might experience more severe episodes.
Comorbid Medical or Mental Health Conditions
Other illnesses that elderly patients may be suffering from include dementia and heart disease. These comorbidities may complicate the management of a patient with bipolar disorder. Mental and physical illness problems must therefore be dealt with to restore the patient.
Stress and Life Events
Major life events like retirement or loss of a loved one are common triggers for increased stress, hence affecting mental health. Since stress is a very probable trigger for mood episodes in bipolar disorder, appropriate coping strategies become a must.
Medication Non-Adherence
The elderly might forget to take medication or even change the intake level without consulting their physician. Failure to adhere to drugs and the doctor’s advice may result in severe symptoms.
The Role of Early Diagnosis and Effective Management
According to the studies, individuals who begin treatment early are less likely to experience severe bipolar symptoms in older adults. Whether bipolar disorder gets worse with age, for both bipolar I and II, structured treatment plans, including medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle adjustments, can have a significant influence.
Importance of Early Intervention
The sooner the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder occur, the better the outcome. Early intervention helps prevent future worse symptoms and minimizes complications.
Therapeutic Approaches
Other therapies include CBT, which helps a person change their thoughts and behaviors during episodes of mood. Psychoeducation and support groups are also beneficial in terms of understanding the illness and the ability to connect with other people.
Medication Management
Mood stabilizers or antipsychotic medications are prescribed to control the condition. A regular check-up with your doctor is essential to determine if the medication is working effectively and to make any necessary adjustments accordingly.
How Aging May Positively Impact Bipolar Disorder
Not all aspects of aging are negative for the individual with bipolar disorder. Some research suggests that manic episodes occur less frequently as individuals age. Moreover, with age, individuals develop coping and resilience mechanisms. They become more cognizant of themselves, noticing early signs of a mood swing and taking action before the problem escalates.
Tips for Managing Bipolar Disorder as You Age
In advanced decades, as with other areas, the management of bipolar disorder finally comes down to the systematic management of the condition. This can be achieved through a sequence of actions:
Prioritize Routine Mental Health Care
Scheduling visits with a psychiatrist or therapist could help in mitigating the symptoms and avoiding relapses.
Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle
Proper diets, exercise, and sufficient sleep contribute to an individual’s overall health.
Support System
Building good relationships with family members, friends, and engaging in support groups may assist on an emotional level and help in such occasions.
Keep Informed of Changes in Medication
There is a possibility that, with age, certain aspects of an individual’s body may change, thereby affecting their response to medications. Any alterations have to be made in consultation with a physician.
Conclusion
Bipolar disorder is a complex condition that can change over time. While symptoms can change with age, effective management remains crucial. Treatment, lifestyle changes, and a good support system help people live well with bipolar disorder at any age.
Navigating bipolar disorder involves meeting and consulting a mental health professional for the development of proper personal care, a significant factor in managing the condition properly for quality of life.
The team at Windermere Medical Group provides complete mental care, including tailored treatment plans and ongoing support for bipolar disorder. We are committed to helping individuals at any stage of life to ensure they receive the care necessary to manage their mental health.
FAQs
Yes. When left untreated, bipolar disorder can get worse with age. Pay attention to regular medication, lifestyle factors, and other health conditions to live a well-managed life.
While the symptoms are different for every individual, bipolar disorder may get worse with age if left unmanaged.
In most cases, effective treatment helps stabilize mood and prevent worsening symptoms. However, even with treatment, bipolar can get worse with age.
Yes, bipolar can get worse with age. Older individuals with bipolar disorder may experience more depressive episodes, which can complicate the treatment plan.
Absolutely. Often leading to longer, more severe mood episodes, bipolar gets worse without treatment.
Bipolar 2 disorder can get worse with age. Chronic depression in older adults can significantly impact quality of life and functioning if not managed properly.
In the majority of cases bipolar disorder doesn’t get better with age. While some symptoms may lessen in severity, long-term treatment, strong support systems, and healthy lifestyle habits can help live a balanced life.
