5 Symptoms And Remedies For Bipolar Disorder (That "Empire" Didn't Show You)

In the popular FOX TV show, Empire, the eldest son of music mogul Lucious Lyon played by Terrence Howard, Andre, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He’s seen having major mood swings and erratic behavior. Both of which may signal the presence of bipolar disorder.

But while the show does a great job of bringing the disease to light, there are some things that aren’t said about bipolar disorder.

SYMPTOMS
Some symptoms of bipolar disorder include:
Overly great mood – Bipolar disorder is characterized by up-and-down episodes of mania and depression. During a manic phase, some patients can have a total break from reality. But hypomania, which is also a symptom of the disorder, is a high-energy state in which a person feels exuberant but hasn’t lost his or her grip on reality.

Inability to complete tasks – Having a house full of half-completed projects is a hallmark of bipolar disorder. People who can harness their energy when they are in a hypomanic phase can be really productive. Those who can’t often go from task to task, planning grand, unrealistic projects that are never finished before moving on to something else.

From our partner

People 16+ years old struggling with lupus: Find out if the PHOENYCS FLY Study may be for you. Study-related care provided at no cost.

Irritability
Everyone has bad days, but some people with this condition suffer from “mixed mania,” where they experience symptoms of mania and depression at the same time. During this state, they are often extremely irritable.

Rapid Speech
Some people are naturally talkative; we all know a motormouth or Chatty Cathy. But “pressured speech” is one of the most common symptoms of bipolar disorder. The person will talk rapidly and if you try to speak, they will likely just talk over you. They will also sometimes jump around to different topics.
Sleep Problems
People with this condition often have sleep problems. During a depression phase, they may sleep too much, and feel tired all the time. During a manic phase, they may not sleep enough—but still never feel tired.

REMEDIES
According to research or other evidence, the following 5 self-care steps may help you restore the balance and gain control:

• Fight back with fish oil
  
  If your healthcare provider agrees, try improving bipolar symptoms with fish oil capsules delivering 9.6 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day along with your medications
• Yoga
  
  Yoga involves stretching and balancing the body in specific stances called “poses.” These poses are performed along with controlled breathing and meditation. The combination can leave people feeling both calm and invigorated. Yoga can be learned at home from books or online videos. But attending regular classes can give a person with bipolar disorder a…
  
  
  
  …potentially more rewarding experience. There are many different types of yoga. Try to find the yoga style that works best for you.
• Music Therapy
  
  Just like in “Empire”, Andre goes through music therapy in helps to combat some of the symptoms from the disease. Music therapy, as the name suggests, uses music as a treatment tool to address non-musical goals. The idea that music can heal is an ancient one, but its status as a contemporary therapy truly began after World War I and World War II. Musicians would visit veterans hospitals to play for people suffering from both mental and physical war injuries. Medical workers immediately recognized a powerful patient response, which led hospitals to start hiring musicians to help care for patients.
• Amino Acids
  
  Studies have shown that some amino acid neurotransmitters play a role in mood regulation. Many antidepressant medications work in conjunction with the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Supplements are thought to boost the production of these chemicals. Some amino acid supplements used for bipolar symptoms are:
  • taurine
  • tyrosine
  • phenylalanine
  • S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM-e)
• Massage
  
  Massage therapy is another alternative means for managing bipolar disorder. As with yoga and meditation, massage helps reduce anxiety and stress.

These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.