Bipolar disorder is more than a cycle of emotional highs and lows—it’s a condition that deeply affects an individual’s brain and significantly disrupts the nervous system. It can cause profound challenges both professionally and personally for those experiencing the symptoms. Understanding what’s happening internally can provide greater insight for individuals experiencing the disorder, and for their loved ones. Learn to manage your diagnosis by first understanding the internal factors.
At True Life Center, our bipolar disorder treatment focuses on both the mind and body, helping our patients find effective treatment and live empowered, healthy lives.
How bipolar disorder affects the brain
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition that causes mood shifts and fluctuations in energy. It’s important to understand that subsequent behavior shifts are not character or personality flaws, but evidence of things happening on the inside:
1. Neurochemical imbalances
One of the primary effects of bipolar disorder on the brain is instability in neurotransmitters like:
- Dopamine, which is linked to motivation
- Serotonin, which influences mood and sleep
- Norepinephrine, which affects an individual’s attention and arousal levels
When these chemical changes happen abruptly, they can impair the brain’s ability to maintain emotional equilibrium and cause seemingly intense changes in a person’s mood.
2. Changes in brain structure and function
Bipolar disorder may alter a variety of important areas of the brain, including the:
- Prefrontal cortex: This area shows decreased activity during depressive episodes and increased activity during mania. This impacts impulse control and people’s ability to make decisions
- Amygdala: Part of the brain where emotions are processed, and for individuals with bipolar disorder, it can become hyperactive, leading to exaggerated emotional responses
- Hippocampus: Important for memory, this area can decrease in size due to chronic stress and the inflammation associated with bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder isn’t a behavioral issue. The emotional ups and downs are caused by very real physical changes in the brain. These structural changes explain the long-term effects of bipolar disorder, not only on someone’s mood but also their cognition, memory, and ability to regulate their behavior. However, it’s essential to understand that evidence-based treatment can have significant and positive results.
Effects of bipolar disorder on the nervous system
Bipolar disorder’s effects on the nervous system are sometimes overlooked, but when it comes to treatment, they’re equally as important to understand. Bipolar disorder can disrupt the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls involuntary bodily functions like heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rhythm.
The sympathetic nervous system may become overactive for those experiencing a manic episode. That can look like:
- Elevated heart rate
- Insomnia
- Gastrointestinal discomfort
- Restlessness or agitation
By contrast, during a depressive episode, the parasympathetic system may take control, leading to:
- Slowed digestion
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Low energy or even physical pain
This kind of nervous system dysregulation can intensify mood swings, heighten stress responses, and make recovery feel impossible. It’s important to remember that with the right treatment, people who experience these symptoms can learn to manage their bipolar disorder symptoms and live normal, happy lives.
Self-regulation and nervous system management
Learning to self-regulate the nervous system is a powerful tool for taking control of your life. It means gaining tools that support a more balanced inner world and maintaining strong relationships with your loved ones. True Life Center is the supportive partner you need to heal your nervous system.
Tools for mitigating the long-term effects of bipolar disorder on your nervous system:
- Breathwork: A variety of intentional breathing exercises make up breathwork. Practices like box breathing activate the parasympathetic nervous system and help to calm the body and slow racing thoughts.
- Grounding exercises: Developing better tactile awareness with techniques like touching textured objects or activities that utilize your five senses helps keep you present in the moment.
- Progressive muscle relaxation: A practice that helps people learn to release physical tension and become increasingly aware of their body’s signals.
- Mindfulness and meditation: Regular mindfulness practice helps the nervous system remain flexible and increases emotional awareness.
- Biofeedback: Offered at True Life Center, this technique helps patients gain more conscious and intentional control over physiological responses to stress, like their heart and breath rate.
These practices, when done consistently, help people living with bipolar disorder build resilience and reduce the intensity and frequency of both manic and depressive episodes.
The importance of stress management for bipolar disorder
Stress is one of the most significant triggers for mood shifts. Learning to regulate the nervous system during times of high stress is imperative for bipolar management.
At True Life Center, stress management is woven into every patient’s care plan. Therapies like:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Is used to help patients reframe negative thought patterns that induce stress
- Yoga and massage therapy: Utilized to support relaxation and body awareness
- Acupuncture and meditative therapy: These provide a foundation for nervous system regulation
When stress is reduced, patients are better able to protect their brains from the long-term effects of bipolar disorder.
A whole-person approach to symptom management at True Life Center
Bipolar disorder isn’t just in the mind—but the body, too. That’s why effective bipolar treatment goes beyond symptom management to include the entire nervous system and brain.
At True Life Center in San Diego, our team integrates:
- Customized psychiatric care
- Holistic therapies
- Mind-body practices
- Compassionate one-on-one support
Our patients find access to this care in a luxury outpatient setting, created with their relaxation in mind.
Find the life you deserve today, with bipolar disorder treatment at True Life Center
Managing your bipolar disorder is possible with the right support. True Life Center is invested in your long-term recovery and ready to partner with you every step of the way.
Explore how the bipolar disorder treatment at True Life Center can support your transformation—because you deserve care that sees you as a whole being. Call 858.202.1822 today or contact us online.
