What Triggers Mood Episodes?
As mentioned before, Bipolar disorder is characterized by fluctuations in a person’s mood. There are two types of mood episodes a person with Bipolar disorder can experience: depressive and hypomanic/manic episodes. But what can trigger a depressive or manic episode? Over the last several years, researchers have been able to identify the following mood episode triggers:
Seasonal Changes
A self-report study by Proudfoot et al. (2012) found that seasonal changes can impact the amount and type of mood episodes experienced. During the face-to-face interview portion of the study, participants shared that they had more depressive episodes than hypomanic and manic episodes during the winter months. Participants also reported that they tend to experience mania and hypomania more in the spring and summer months (Proudfoot et al., 2012).
Another source found that the amount of light exposure can impact bipolar mood regulation. People with Bipolar disorder can be easily affected by “changes in daylight hours” and bright light exposure (NeuroLaunch, n.d.). Simply put, if it’s a cloudy day, someone with Bipolar disorder can potentially develop depressive symptoms. On the other hand, if it’s a bright and sunny day, an individual with Bipolar disorder may experience symptoms of hypomania or mania.
Hormonal Changes
A 2016 self-report study found that seventy-seven percent of women had worsening mood symptoms during menstrual, postnatal, and menopausal periods (Perich et al., 2016). They were also found to have more severe hypomanic/manic and depressive episodes during these periods. Not only that, but it was determined that women whose mood symptoms worsen during these hormonal cycles are associated with a more severe lifetime course of the disorder in comparison to those who do not experience these changes (Perich et al., 2016).
Sleep Patterns
An article from NeuroLaunch discussing manic episode triggers found a relationship between sleep patterns and the onset of manic episodes in people with Bipolar disorder. Just like with seasonal changes, individuals with Bipolar disorder can be easily affected by changes in their sleep patterns (NeuroLaunch, n.d.). As described by NeuroLaunch, these changes in sleep patterns can include jetlag, working night shifts, and not getting enough sleep (insomnia). When a person with Bipolar does not get enough restful sleep, they can potentially trigger a hypomanic or manic episode.
However, sleep patterns can also trigger a depressive episode. There have been times when I would wake up more tired than before I went to sleep the night before, meaning I was not getting restful sleep. As a result, I tend to sleep longer at night and take naps throughout the day, which is known as hypersomnia. If that is the case, it can potentially trigger a depressive episode. So, people with Bipolar disorder nee to keep a consistent sleep schedule.
Stress and Life Events
Research has shown that stress can significantly impact our lives physically and mentally. For people with Bipolar disorder, stress can trigger both hypomanic/manic and depressive episodes. NeuroLaunch identified a list of stressors that can trigger hypomanic/manic episodes in individuals with Bipolar disorder:
Significant life changes
Significant life changes can be either positive or negative. Examples include moving to a new state, starting a new job, losing your job, getting married or divorced, and having a child (NeuroLaunch, n.d.).
Traumatic events
Unlike significant life changes, traumatic events are solely negative. Examples of traumatic events include the sudden death of a loved one, motor vehicle accidents, and acts of violence.
Relationship conflicts
Click the button below to learn how relationships can affect someone with Bipolar disorder.
Work and school-related stress
However, Proudfoot et al. (2012) found that both stressful life events and general stress can also trigger depressive episodes in young adults with Bipolar disorder. So, it is crucial to consider that every person responds to stress differently.
For example, a death in the family can elicit either a hypomanic/manic or depressive episode in someone with Bipolar disorder. When my grandma passed away in March 2024, it triggered a depressive episode with symptoms such as trouble concentrating, fatigue, and hypersomnia. However, a 32-year-old Bipolar woman who lost her father ended up experiencing manic symptoms such as “decreased need for sleep, increased goal-directed activity, and grandiose thinking” (NeuroLaunch, n.d.).
So, even though it’s more common for a traumatic event to trigger a depressive episode does not mean that it can’t trigger a hypomanic/manic episode in someone with Bipolar disorder.
Sudden Medication Changes
Taking medications as prescribed is especially crucial for people with Bipolar disorder. The kinds of medications that are prescribed to people with Bipolar disorder impact the neurotransmitters in the brain. Suddenly stopping medications can lead to chemical imbalances in the brain and trigger either a depressive or hypomanic/manic episode. Not only that, but stopping medications suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms and worsen Bipolar symptoms. It is critical that people with Bipolar disorder take their medications consistently and consult with their doctor if changes need to be made to their medication regimen.
Drug, Alcohol, and Stimulant Use
Just as drug and alcohol abuse can cause someone to develop Bipolar disorder, it can also trigger mood episodes. Not only that, but it can increase the severity and frequency of hypomanic/manic and depressive episodes. NeuroLaunch found that both alcohol and drugs impact the tricky balance of neurotransmitters present in the brain (NeuroLaunch, n.d.). As a result, a person’s mood can become unstable, triggering a hypomanic/manic or depressive episode. People with Bipolar disorder should consult and work with their doctor to resolve any alcohol and drug abuse issues.
Stimulants, such as nicotine, cocaine, and ecstasy, are known to trigger manic episodes in people diagnosed with Bipolar disorder (NeuroLaunch, n.d.). Another known stimulant, caffeine, can trigger both hypomanic/manic and depressive episodes in people with Bipolar disorder. So, it is vital to take notice of any mood changes when drinking caffeine.
It is essential to highlight that someone with Bipolar disorder may not experience some or most of these triggers. Also, research is still being done to fully understand mood episode triggers, so there may be more than listed above. Every person experiences Bipolar disorder differently, and you must talk with your loved one about their life with the condition.