Are men more likely to suffer from the Bipolar Disorder than women?
| Updated: Jun 26, 2018, 14:45 IST
Let's start off by saying that the Bipolar Disorder is equally common in men and women, but there are gender differences in the way that bipolar disorder manifests itself. And today, that's what we're here to talk about. Firstly, what is the disorder about? Bipolar Disorder, also known as Manic-Depressive Disorder is a mood disorder with polarity in moods. One pole in which there is mania – where a person is on a ‘high’. The person talks more, loses his/her sense of inhibition, has reduced need for sleep, may even have a sense of grandiosity, can be aggressive and may spend more money. And the other pole is depression where the person is on a ‘low’ – where he/she feels sad, hopeless, helpless, are not able to do their activities properly, are withdrawn and may have a feeling that life is not worth living.
Now, while men and women share the same symptoms of the disorder, with a few differences, men tend to develop the Bipolar Disorder at a much earlier age and their first episode is usually mania. Men also tend to have more severe bipolar symptoms and are more prone to manic episodes than women. During these manic episodes, men tend to act out more by doing things like fighting, yelling and drinking. They are also more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol to cope with their illness. Now, even though men have more severe bipolar symptoms, they are less likely than women to voluntarily seek help for their disorder, putting them at greater risk for suicide than women.
Explaining the difference between men and women considering the disorder, women tend to have more depressive and fewer manic episodes. Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder is more common in women than amongst men.
Now, while men and women share the same symptoms of the disorder, with a few differences, men tend to develop the Bipolar Disorder at a much earlier age and their first episode is usually mania. Men also tend to have more severe bipolar symptoms and are more prone to manic episodes than women. During these manic episodes, men tend to act out more by doing things like fighting, yelling and drinking. They are also more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol to cope with their illness. Now, even though men have more severe bipolar symptoms, they are less likely than women to voluntarily seek help for their disorder, putting them at greater risk for suicide than women.
Explaining the difference between men and women considering the disorder, women tend to have more depressive and fewer manic episodes. Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder is more common in women than amongst men.