Millions of Americans have been affected by bipolar disorder during the past year alone. Although bipolar disorder occurs equally among men and women, many other related factors are quite different when it comes to males and females. Here are a few of the main ways bipolar disorder is different for men and women.
Bipolar diagnosis and onset
Women tend to get bipolar disorder later in life than men do, even though men are less likely to seek treatment. Although bipolar disorder usually surfaces in a person’s 20s, men are likely to experience the initial depressive or mania episode about five years earlier than women, according to research. This is likely due to the fact that women are more commonly misdiagnosed first. Often, women are misdiagnosed with major depressive disorder before doctors realize it’s actually bipolar.
Additionally, of the three types of bipolar (bipolar I, bipolar II and cyclothymic disorder), bipolar II disorder is more common among women. This type of bipolar includes episodes of depression and hypomania, which is a milder form of mania.
Bipolar disorder symptoms
A woman’s menstrual cycle can affect bipolar symptoms. For example, shortly after a woman has a baby, during the postpartum period, she is more likely to relapse. Women with bipolar disorder are also more likely than men to experience other health problems, such as obesity and migraines, alongside bipolar disorder. This is likely due to hormonal factors.
Manic symptoms also tend to be more difficult to pick up on in men, largely because of gender stereotypes in America. Essentially, people in the U.S. have normalized men behaving very boldly and confidently, but the same behavior among women isn’t considered as common. Unfortunately, as a result, even though the symptoms of mania are the same among men and women, they aren’t always recognized in the same way.
How can I tell if I am bipolar?
If you find yourself wondering, “How can I tell if I am bipolar?” you’re not alone. Bipolar disorder isn’t always easy to diagnose, and it’s often confused with other conditions, such as major depressive disorder. However, the best way to get answers is to speak with your doctor or a licensed and experienced psychologist. They can help you determine if you’re bipolar or if there is something else going on.
Author Resource:-
Alester Brown writes about physiotherapy. She advises people on health care, online therapy, anxiety discussion groups & depression message boards. You can find her thoughts at social anxiety blog.
