When you get overwhelmed by negative thoughts and feelings, it can feel like your brain is in a fog. While it’s possible to experience this feeling with severe stress and anxiety, it’s also possible when you’re having a manic bipolar disorder episode known as a blackout.
A bipolar blackout refers to a period of memory loss and confusion during or following a manic episode. Symptoms of a bipolar blackout include lack of awareness of your surroundings and difficulty recalling events. Essentially, you can’t remember what you did, where you were or what occurred during your episodes.
However, the term “bipolar blackout” isn’t often recognized or used by health care professionals. Memory impairment during manic episodes is generally understood as a symptom of the episode.
Bipolar blackouts can range in duration, but they generally last for the entirety of the manic episode, which can last up to seven days. However, it’s also possible that they can last long after the episode is over.
Not everyone who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder experiences blackouts. However, those who do can experience difficulty with their ability to recall information needed for their everyday routines. It can also impact their management of healthy personal relationships.
Read on to learn about what can cause a bipolar blackout and how treatment can impact its duration.
What can cause a bipolar blackout?
A bipolar blackout means that even though you were conscious, you’re unable to recall what occurred during your mood changes from your manic episode.
A bipolar blackout can occur when your brain becomes extremely overwhelmed and tired by the rapid changes and severity of your moods during manic episodes. The memory impairment may come from the way that bipolar disorder changes parts of your brain. It can impact your hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
Psychosis can also play a role in bipolar blackout. If you experience hallucinations or delusions during your manic episodes, your misconceptions of reality may impact your memory.
How to treat bipolar blackout (and reduce its duration)
Even though a bipolar blackout can last up to several months after an episode, recurring blackouts can lead to lasting effects if they aren’t addressed. They can increase the risk of long-term memory and cognitive impairment.
Safe and effective treatment is essential for managing bipolar disorder symptoms. Collaborate with your mental health care providers to find the right treatment plan. They can help you reduce the length and severity of manic episodes that may result in bipolar blackouts. The right treatment can also reduce the duration of your memory impairment.
To alleviate bipolar blackout, you need to address the disorder itself. Bipolar disorder is usually treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy.
- Medication — Even though everyone’s needs and medical histories are different, your doctor will likely prescribe you a mood stabilizer to help manage your mood changes and reduce bipolar episodes. Antipsychotic medication may also be beneficial. It’s important to note that some medications can cause memory impairment. If you’re experiencing recurring or worsening bipolar blackouts, talk to your doctor. They may recommend changing your prescription.
- Therapy — Talking to a psychotherapist can help clients with bipolar disorder in many ways. You can gain a better understanding of the disorder and how it impacts your quality of life. You can develop coping mechanisms to help you work through episodes and triggers. A therapist can also help you manage the distress that can come from a bipolar blackout, such as how the memory gaps interfere with your productivity and relationships.
Lightfully Behavioral Health can help you reduce bipolar blackouts
Everyone misplaces things sometimes, or mixes up work deadlines; however, memory impairment shouldn’t be brushed off. Forgetting your surroundings and behaviors for extensive periods of time can lead to significant issues if it’s not addressed. It’s important to receive the right treatment for your bipolar disorder and blackouts.
Some people need intensive support to work alongside regular therapy sessions and medication. Our four levels of care at Lightfully Behavioral Health may help. We offer Residential Treatment (RTC), a Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP), a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).
There are several therapeutic approaches that can be effective for bipolar disorder. Common psychotherapies include cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy. At Lightfully, our Precision Care Model incorporates aspects of different evidence-based psychotherapies for our integrated interventions. These interventions address the four core drivers of your bipolar disorder:
- Difficulty with behaviors
- Difficulty with emotions
- Difficulty with relationships
- Difficulty with thoughts
Take the first step toward alleviating your bipolar blackouts. Reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.
