Early Warning Signs of Bipolar Disorder in Men and When to Seek Help

Mental health disorders affect millions of people across the US. The issue is especially prevalent in states that rank the lowest for access to mental health care, Texas and Georgia.

While men are just as likely to suffer from bipolar disorder as women — there are other differences. Gender can affect how people suffering from bipolar experience the resulting psychological and emotional phases.

Unfortunately, this sometimes means men are misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all. Some of the early warning signs of bipolar disorder in men are simply treated as overconfidence or “low phases.”

Read on to learn more about the early symptoms of bipolar disorder in men and when to seek help.

What Are the Early Warning Signs of Bipolar Disorder in Men?

Mood swings on a spectrum between mania and depression are telltale signs of bipolar disorder.

However, mania and depression aren’t always easy to notice for the average layman. They are often confused with regular moods that don’t indicate mental illness. This is especially true if people don’t spend much time with those suffering from these mood swings.

Here are some of the signs of mania in men:

Difficulty maintaining focus and being easily distracted
A feeling of huge overconfidence
Feeling extremely happy for no apparent reason
Racing thoughts and talking extremely quickly
Impulsiveness and restlessness
A bias towards risky behavior, like gambling, promiscuity, drinking, substance abuse, etc.

On the other hand, depression can be even more difficult to notice. Even at its strongest, depression may not be immediately apparent to others or even yourself. To help you notice this phase of bipolar disorder, look for the following warning signs:

Reclusiveness, especially from family and friends
Feeling profoundly hopeless and sad
Lack of interest in hobbies and topics you normally enjoy
Significantly increased or reduced appetite
Constant lack of energy and fatigue
Inability to make decisions and concentrate
Suicidal thoughts
Sudden change in sleep patterns, either insomnia or oversleeping
Memory issues

In extreme cases, mania and depression can both result in psychosis — delusions or hallucinations triggered by a mental health disorder.

Substance abuse

One of the earliest signs of the mania and depression that stem from bipolar disorder is unusually risky substance abuse.

Both sides of the bipolar spectrum deteriorate a person’s ability to make sound decisions. In men, this impaired judgment often results in drug and alcohol abuse. While developing an alcohol or drug problem can make treating bipolar disorder even more difficult than usual — bear in mind that it’s one of the earliest noticeable signs of bipolar in men.

Does Bipolar Affect Men And Women Differently?

Bipolar disorder affects almost 3% of the adults in the United States. Right off the bat, it’s important to note that there’s not a significant gender disparity here — like most mental health disorders, bipolar doesn’t affect men and women differently, but it can be exhibited in various ways.

Besides being more prone to risky behaviors (like substance abuse), men might also be more likely to behave aggressively during strong manic episodes. Naturally, this also depends on how aggressive a person is usually — but in general, men are more aggressive than women.

Unfortunately, modern society encourages men to suppress their feelings and not discuss them. This is one of the reasons why men are much less likely to go to therapy in general — and seek professional help for mental health issues.

As a result, early signs of bipolar disorder in men are often missed, and men don’t get the treatment they need to improve their lives. The stigma surrounding men’s mental health is simply too strong, and they’re afraid of being perceived as weak.

To combat this, men should discuss their feelings openly, especially with family and friends. Loved ones will be the quickest to notice if you’re behaving uncharacteristically, and they should encourage you to seek professional help.

When to Seek Help

While bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental health issue, its symptoms can be managed with proper treatment and medication.

Recognizing the early signs of bipolar disorder is the first step toward managing it effectively. While some states, like Georgia, struggle with providing access to mental health resources, there are various treatment options can help keep bipolar disorder under control, ensuring a better quality of life and long-term stability.

If you suspect you may be suffering from this disorder or you notice early warning signs in a loved one, consult a doctor immediately.

Avoid further self-diagnosing and don’t self-medicate under any circumstances — only receive treatment from real medical professionals.

Before therapy, medication, or other types of treatment can be applied, you need to seek help. Unfortunately, bipolar isn’t always easy to diagnose, even for a trained professional. The disorder is frequently mistaken for clinical depression if the patient isn’t observed for long enough.

Also, bipolar often involves periods of extreme but mixed moods — further muddying the waters and making diagnosis difficult. This is especially true for men, who often spend years with bipolar untreated.

All of this means you should seek help immediately if you have the tiniest suspicion of bipolar symptoms. Getting checked out can’t hurt, and it can save you a world of trouble down the line.

How to Help a Man With a Potential Bipolar Disorder

No one wants to see themselves as someone suffering from a mental health issue — men and women. However, men are more resistant to the idea of discussing mental health conditions and the possibility that they need help to manage their mental health. Unfortunately, gender roles often associate this with weakness.

If you suspect that a man in your life has an unnoticed bipolar disorder, you should address this and communicate with them. They should educate themselves about bipolar and seek diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.

However, this is a sensitive topic even if you’re right — and especially sensitive if you turn out to be wrong. To ensure you’re approaching the man in question respectfully and thoughtfully, follow these tips:

Talk in a private setting, where you won’t be disturbed, and they’ll feel more comfortable discussing their feelings and mental health.
Don’t antagonize the person by being judgmental or focusing on specific impulsive behaviors and bad decision-making on account of bipolar disorder.
Focus on communicating your love and care for the person and point out how treatment can improve their life.
Recommend treatment options and offer to help them along the way.

Wrapping Up

Bipolar disorder can make a person’s life difficult even with proper treatment — and it’s often devastating when left untreated. Look for early warning signs of bipolar disorder in men in your life and yourself, and seek treatment immediately if necessary.

References:
https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-disorder-warning-signs
https://www.healthline.com/health/could-it-be-bipolar-signs-to-look-for
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6318556/ https://www.forbes.com/advisor/health-insurance/worst-states-for-mental-health-care/