Bipolar disorder is a chronic psychiatric mood disorder characterized by periods of depression alternating with manic episodes. Until recently, it was thought that the onset occurred in a subject’s teens to early 20s, and those who experienced bipolar disorder symptoms later in life had simply been suffering in silence or had been misdiagnosed.
New research indicates that bipolar disorder can manifest later in life and even well into a patient’s senior years. This has led to a new wave of studies of bipolar disorder in elderly patients and the discovery that many seniors that are hospitalized with manic symptoms are actually experiencing late-onset bipolar disorder.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder In Older Adults?
As of this writing, the exact causes of bipolar disorder in the elderly aren’t fully known.
But many factors can lead to the disease, including:
- Genetics
- Neurological illness
- Cerebrovascular disease
- White matter hyper-intensities
- Benson’s Syndrome (posterior cortical atrophy)
How Is Bipolar Disorder In Elderly Identified?
One of the main reasons bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed later in life is because the symptoms can be slightly different from common bipolar disorder symptoms. For one thing, seniors experience depression but are less likely to exhibit the classic signs of mania. Instead of the energy, elation and hyper confidence experienced by younger patients, patients over 50 are more likely to experience the following:
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Hyperactivity
- Psychosis
- Problems with cognitive functioning
- Difficulty solving problems
- Loss of perception and judgment
In older patients, the symptoms can be sudden and very severe, and often cycle faster than in younger people with the disease. Often seniors report experiencing both the “high” and “low” moods associated with bipolar disorder symptoms simultaneously.
How Is Treatment Different?
Many of the medications that work for younger people can be troublesome or even potentially dangerous for older patients. They may interact negatively with medications that seniors commonly take or may metabolize at a different rate.
After a careful diagnosis, older adults can find relief from bipolar disorder symptoms in medications including lithium and various anti-seizure medications. Further progress can be found in therapy, changes in diet and regular exercise.
As patients age, they will find its also important to have regular support in the form of support groups, close monitoring by family and friends as well as regular visits to a mental health professional
If you or someone you love is elderly and suffering from bipolar disorder, contact Synergy Research Centers today for more information on bipolar treatment options. We’ve been conducting studies for decades in the San Diego area, and we are eager to share what we’ve learned about bipolar disorder treatment in elderly patients with our neighbors.