PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and bipolar disorder are separate mental disorders, each with distinct causes and symptoms. PTSD does not cause bipolar disorder; however, individuals can struggle with both conditions simultaneously, known as co-occurring disorders. PTSD is triggered by trauma, while bipolar disorder is often more biologically based with no specific trigger.
Effective treatments for both disorders include psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), as well as trauma-specific therapies for PTSD, like trauma-informed therapy and EMDR.
Can PTSD Cause Bipolar Disorder?
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and bipolar disorder are two separate, complex mental disorders. Although each shares similar symptoms, it is important to understand that each condition is different. In this article, you’ll learn more about can PTSD can cause bipolar disorder, and learn more about each condition below.
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Can PTSD Cause Bipolar Disorder?
Curious to learn more about “can PTSD cause bipolar disorder”? The short answer is no. PTSD does not cause bipolar disorder. As mentioned above, it is critical to understand that both PTSD and bipolar disorder are different and one condition does not cause the other. However, while neither condition necessarily causes the other, an individual can struggle with both conditions at the same time.
For example, an individual can be diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder in which they struggle with both PTSD and bipolar disorder at the same time. Another important thing to consider is that while PTSD does not cause bipolar disorder, individuals who are exposed to trauma can increase their risk of developing a mood disorder, like bipolar disorder.
Key Differences Between PTSD and Bipolar Disorder
PTSD and bipolar disorder have several similar symptoms, such as mood swings and irritability. That being said, both PTSD and bipolar disorder are two different conditions that have several key differences, including:
Cause
Each condition has differing cases. PTSD is caused by experiencing trauma (ie, combat, car accident, etc.), which then triggers you to struggle with chronic symptoms from your trauma. Meanwhile, in bipolar disorder, no one source/trigger causes the condition; rather, bipolar disorder is oftentimes more biological.
Symptoms
While bipolar disorder and PTSD have several similar symptoms, they also have a range of differing signs and symptoms. For example, many with bipolar disorder experience alternating episodes of manic episodes to depressive episodes. However, PTSD does not have episodes; rather, individuals can experience symptoms at random or through triggers (ie, loud noises, situations, people, etc.)
Treatment
There is a range of effective treatments for PTSD and bipolar disorder. For example, psychotherapy treatments like CBT can be a great treatment option for both individuals struggling with PTSD or bipolar disorder. Additionally, there are a variety of trauma-specific treatment options that can help those with PTSD, including trauma-informed therapy and EMDR.
Help Is Available
Now you know more about the question “Can PTSD cause bipolar disorder?”. While PTSD does not cause bipolar disorder, trauma in general can increase one’s risk of developing a mood disorder, like bipolar disorder. Similarly, an individual can struggle with both conditions at the same time. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness or addiction, it is critical to consider seeking professional help to regain control of your health and quality of life.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common signs of bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that alternates between episodes of mania and depression. Each episode is identifiable by a unique range of symptoms.
For example, someone with bipolar disorder who is experiencing a manic episode may experience symptoms like a significant increase in mood and energy levels, an inflated sense of ego/self-esteem, rapid speech, the ability to function on less sleep, and an increased risk of engaging in more impulsive/riskier behavior than usual.
Meanwhile, someone who has bipolar disorder who is experiencing a depressive episode may experience a range of symptoms such as losing interest in activities they once enjoyed, constantly feeling tired, constantly feeling sad, having trouble concentrating, and more.
Therefore, bipolar disorder can have a range of common signs and symptoms based on the episode you are experiencing. While not everyone who has bipolar disorder is the same, if you find you seem to be alternating between manic and depressive episodes, it is important to consider seeking a proper diagnosis.
What is the best treatment for PTSD?
Several effective treatments can be used for PTSD. For instance, there is a range of therapy approaches that can be beneficial in managing your PTSD symptoms. CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is a popular type of psychotherapy that helps an individual recognize negative thought patterns and behaviors and turn them into positive thoughts and behaviors.
Another effective treatment for PTSD is EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), which is a trauma-specific treatment option. The root source of PTSD is experiencing trauma; therefore, EMDR aims to use guided prompts by a therapist coupled with certain eye movements to help reprocess traumatic memories of the past.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, certain medications may be prescribed to help you safely manage your symptoms. Patients often receive a combination of treatments to help effectively manage their PTSD symptoms.
Can bipolar disorder go away on its own?
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that typically does not go away on its own. While an individual can experience alternating manic to depressive episodes at varying levels of intensity, if an individual receives a professional diagnosis of bipolar disorder, it is unlikely that their condition will just go away on its own.
That being said, there are several bipolar disorder treatment options an individual can receive to help effectively manage their symptoms. However, it is important to understand the distinction between curing your bipolar disorder vs learning how to manage your symptoms so that you can improve your overall health and quality of life.
