Can I Have Bipolar Disorder And Anxiety Disorder At The Same Time?

Bipolar disorder is a mental condition where the patient’s mood can quickly change and these mood shifts can get significant changes in their energy as well as activity levels. This in turn can interfere with their daily activities. Anxiety disorder is also a mental disorder where patients have extremely severe worries and they might worsen with time.

Now, the question that might arise in your mind is, “Can I have bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder at the same time?” To discover this, you need to read the following array of the article.

You can have bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder at the same time. When you have both these conditions at a time, this might influence the treatment. It is explained that Bipolar disorder and anxiety have high comorbidity, which means they occur commonly at the same time.⁽¹⁾

As per a review of 2019, it is found that above 50% of individuals with bipolar disorder, at some point in their life would likely develop an anxiety disorder.⁽²⁾ This can result in complications, such as more serious illness, increased risk of suicide, and delayed diagnosis.

Let us read further know more about the link between these two conditions.

Most patients suffering from bipolar disorder have a coexisting mental health issue. Some of them might have bipolar and anxiety disorder simultaneously.

Anxiety disorder is the most prevalent mental health condition among Bipolar, depression, OCD, and substance use disorder. This has been found in a survey in 2011.⁽³⁾

As per a literature review of 2019, it has been found that at least half of people suffering from Bipolar disorder will experience an anxiety disorder in some part of their life.⁽⁴⁾

A study conducted in the year 2018 showed that anxiety disorder rates among those with bipolar disorder are 3-7 times higher than those among the general population.⁽⁵⁾

Certain symptoms of bipolar disorder can be linked with anxiety disorder. That is what makes the diagnosis quite hard. When bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder coexist, symptoms might worsen. Below are some impacts of having both these mental disorders.

• An increased number of mood episodes.
• An increased rate of first episodes of the depressive phase is experienced.
• Increased rate of episodes with mixed features.
• There is an increase in the severity and frequency of mood episodes.
• Having an increased risk of substance abuse.
• Increased thoughts of suicide.
• Undergoing longer periods of untreated illness.
• Poor response to treatment.
• Experiencing increased amounts of severely negative events after taking medicines.
• Extremely high psychological distress.
• Reduced functioning and quality of life.

So, it is clear that one can have bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder at the same time. Though both the conditions, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder are treatable, however, they are long-term mental health conditions and sometimes can be challenging. So, anyone experiencing the symptoms should consult with an experienced mental health professional and get an effective course of treatment.

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Also Read:

• How Is Anxiety Disorder Linked To Chronic Pain?
• Bipolar Disorder: Causes, Triggers, Symptoms, Classification, Treatment, Prevention
• Yoga As A Treatment Option For Anxiety Disorders
• Alternative Treatment Options for Anxiety Disorders
• Disability Benefits for Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder & Lack of Empathy