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Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that can cause extreme shifts in mood. Research suggests that there may be an association between the two conditions. Having fibromyalgia is often associated with having an emotional or affective disorder, as well. Examples of these comorbidities include:depressionanxietyborderline personality disorderobsessive-compulsive personality disorderpost-traumatic stress disorder Bipolar disorder is another form of affective, or mood, disorder that is relatively common in people who have fibromyalgia. Read on to learn more about fibromyalgia, bipolar disorder, and the link between these conditions. What is bipolar disorder Share on PinterestAdrienne Bresnahan/Getty ImagesAccording to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes a person to have unusual or extreme changes in:moodenergyactivityconcentrationfocus This can mean that a person experiences periods of very intense emotions, during which they have symptoms of depression, mania, or both. During manic periods, a person may feel:very high, or elatedjumpy or wiredmore activeas though their thoughts are racingless need for sleepextremely irritable or touchyan intense desire for food, drink, sex, or other pleasurable activitiesas though they can do a lot at once without getting tiredthat they are unusually important, powerful, or talentedas though they are talking quickly and erratically about many things at once On the other hand, depressive episodes can cause:extreme sadness or anxietyrestlessnesstrouble concentratingsleeping issues, such as sleeping too much, waking too early, or difficulty getting to sleepslowed speech, or feelings of having nothing important to sayforgetfulnesslack of interest in most activitiesdifficulty completing simple tasksfeelings of hopelessness or worthlessnessthoughts of death or suicide The mood episodes that occur due to bipolar disorder can last 1–2 weeks or even longer. During a bipolar disorder episode, a person may experience symptoms most of the time. Although the exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, researchers think the condition results from a combination of factors. These factors include:Genetics: The National Alliance on Mental Illness notes that people who have a parent or sibling with bipolar disorder are more likely to develop the condition. However, having a relative with bipolar disorder does not always mean that a person will develop it.Stress: Stressful events, such as financial problems or a death in the family, can sometimes trigger a bipolar disorder episode.Brain function or structure: Researchers have found evidence to suggest that people with bipolar disorder may have slightly different brain structures or functions than other people. However, experts do not yet fully understand these differences. What is fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is a condition that can cause a person to experience pain and tenderness throughout their body. This pain and tenderness, which can come and go, may affect different areas of the body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that about 2% of adults in the United States have fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia can prove difficult to diagnose as there is no lab test for it. A doctor will instead ask a person about their symptoms. The symptoms of fibromyalgia include:pain and stiffness all around the bodyfatiguetirednessdepressionanxietysleep problemsproblems with memory, concentration, or thinkingheadachesmigrainetingling or numbness in the hands or feetpain in the face or jawdigestive problems, such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) The cause of fibromyalgia is currently unknown. However, researchers think that issues with a person’s central nervous system, which comprises the brain and spinal cord, may be responsible. Additionally, fibromyalgia seems to run in families, which could mean that genetics play a role in its development. Generally, fibromyalgia occurs in response to a trigger, which can be a health condition or another factor. Examples include:spinal problemsarthritisinjuryphysical or emotional stress What is the link between them There is currently no conclusive link between fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder. However, researchers have theories about how the two conditions link to one another. A 2015 review looked at nine studies investigating the connection between fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder. This research found that among the participants with fibromyalgia, 21% also had bipolar disorder. However, the authors note that this rate varied among the studies, depending on the methods that the researchers used. The small number of included studies also means that further research is necessary to confirm these findings. The authors of a 2016 study believe that the causes of the two conditions may overlap. If the conditions have similar origins, it may explain why they can occur together. Research has found the following characteristics in both bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia:abnormalities in CNS structures that regulate pain and emotional controldifficulty managing stressalterations in monoamine neurotransmission pathways, which can affect concentration, pain, and sleepimpairment in how the brain adapts to experiences and changesmetabolic and cardiovascular issuesinflammation A 2020 study stated that environmental risk factors, such as trauma during childhood, affected people with bipolar disorder or fibromyalgia more frequently than the general population. Managing bipolar disorder with fibromyalgia Researchers recommend that people who have fibromyalgia also undergo screening for bipolar disorder. The reason for this is that antidepressants that treat fibromyalgia can make bipolar disorder symptoms worse or trigger a manic episode. A doctor may prescribe agomelatine or memantin to a person who has bipolar disorder alongside fibromyalgia. Agomelatine is an antidepressant that helps reduce pain and depression in people with fibromyalgia, whereas memantin can help reduce pain. Physical activity may help with the symptoms of both bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia. Doctors generally prescribe mood stabilizers or antipsychotics to treat bipolar disorder. Psychotherapy may also prove beneficial for treating bipolar disorder symptoms in a person who has both bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia. Outlook Having bipolar disorder alongside fibromyalgia may be difficult for a person to manage. A review from 2017 notes that research suggests that fibromyalgia symptoms are more severe in people who also have bipolar disorder with severe depression. However, with the right treatment, a person can manage both conditions effectively. If a person with bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia is finding it difficult to manage one or both of these conditions, they should speak with a doctor. Summary Bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia often occur alongside each other. The exact link between these conditions is currently unknown. However, researchers think that they may both have common causes or triggers. If a person has fibromyalgia, they should speak with a doctor to rule out bipolar disorder. Certain treatments for fibromyalgia can trigger manic episodes or cause an increase in symptoms. People can manage bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia with the right treatments. These can include medications, exercise, and psychotherapy. A person should speak with a doctor about what treatments are most likely to be effective for them. Last medically reviewed on May 30, 2022BipolarDepressionFibromyalgiaMental HealthPain / Anesthetics 10 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Alciati, A., et al. (2020). The co-morbidity between bipolar and panic disorder in fibromyalgia syndrome.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7697979/Bipolar disorder. (2017).https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Bipolar-DisorderBipolar disorder. (2018).https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorderBortolato, B., et al. (2016). Fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder: Emerging epidemiological associations and shared pathophysiology.https://researchmgt.monash.edu/ws/portalfiles/portal/295834062/106884587_oa.pdfDi Tommaso Morrison, M. C., et al. (2017). Fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder: Extent of comorbidity and therapeutic implications.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317030612_Fibromyalgia_and_bipolar_disorder_Extent_of_comorbidity_and_therapeutic_implicationsFibromyalgia. (2020).https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/fibromyalgia.htmFibromyalgia. (2021).https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia. (n.d.).https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/other-related-conditions/fibromyalgiaGalvez-Sánchez, C. M., et al. (2019). Psychological impact of fibromyalgia: Current perspectives.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6386210/Kudlow, P. A., et al. (2015). Prevalence of fibromyalgia and co-morbid bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis [Abstract].https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032715302718FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Tiffany Taft, PsyD — By Anna Smith on May 30, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat to know about the relationship between bipolar disorder and addictionMedically reviewed by Francis Kuehnle, MSN, RN-BC Bipolar Disorder (BD) and substance use disorder (SUD) often occur together. 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