Navigating Bipolar Disorder with EFT Tapping: A Guide to Finding Balance

Do you also feel bipolar disorder often leaves you feeling like sitting on an emotional rollercoaster? In this article, you will learn about Bipolar Disorder episodes, the factors causing these symptoms, and how to deal with unpleasant bipolar episodes with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). It is a supporting technique to be used alongside treatment and care solutions to cope with the ups and downs of bipolar disorder.

What is a Bipolar Disorder | Mood episodes in bipolar disorder | SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BIPOLAR EPISODES | What are the factors CAUSING bipolar symptoms | Potential causes of bipolar disorder | How does bipolar disorder negatively affect a person's daily life | Psychological themes related to bipolar disorder | Emotional themes related to bipolar disorder | Diagnosis to gauge bipolar disorder | Treatment to tackle bipolar disorder | Does Emotional Freedom Techniques Support Bipolar Disorder | HOW TO OVERCOME UNPLEASANT BIPOLAR EPISODES WITH EFT TAPPING | Case studies supporting the effectiveness of EFT in addressing bipolar disorder | BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY DISCOVERY CALL

You might see bipolar disorder as a big medical label that brings up thoughts of mood swings (ups and downs). But what if I told you there's more to it than that?

Bipolar disorder is a struggle that can often seem daunting as it’s a unique set of experiences and challenges in every other case. It's a spectrum that ranges from mild to extreme, and it's different for everyone.

About a decade ago I dealt with my first bipolar disorder case. A man in Hong Kong who traded stocks and had problems in his relationship. His girlfriend wanted him to see a therapist, so he did, although with apprehension. In a session with him, I discovered despite his success and wealth, he had significant childhood trauma from growing up in an authoritarian household. This trauma manifested as bipolar disorder, with him swinging between depression and euphoria.

To help the client get relief from the symptoms of bipolar disorder, I used a therapeutic approach known as Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). It is a gentle yet powerful practice that combines elements of psychology and Eastern medicine to address emotional distress and promote holistic healing.

Let's learn all about bipolar disorder, the reasons behind it, and ways to restore your emotional balance using EFT Tapping.

What is a Bipolar Disorder?

What is Bipolar disorder, Bipolar episodes

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterised by dramatic shifts in mood, swinging between intense emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).

These fluctuations can impact a person's energy levels, activity levels decision-making, behaviour, and overall functioning in their daily life.

Mood episodes in bipolar disorder

In bipolar disorder, mood episodes are periods where emotions are felt very intensely, and there are noticeable changes in sleep and activity levels. You might do things that don’t resonate with you, often without realising it could be harmful. These episodes can last for different lengths of time and come in three main forms:

Manic episodes: Times of high excitement or irritability, with lots of energy and activity.
Hypomanic episodes: Similar to manic episodes but less intense and shorter.
Depressive episodes: Long periods of feeling very sad, hopeless, and losing interest in things.

These episodes are clear times when you have a very different personality from usual.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BIPOLAR EPISODES

“How to tell if someone is bipolar? Are there a set of symptoms that I can look out for?”

Yes, when someone is experiencing bipolar disorder, their behaviour and thoughts can be beyond their own control. Following are the signs and symptoms of bipolar episodes:

Manic Episode Symptoms

High or irritable mood
Increased energy and activity
Less need for sleep
Fast speech and racing thoughts
Feeling overly confident
Easily distracted and impulsive
Poor judgement, risky behaviour

Hypomanic Episode Symptoms

Elevated mood or irritability
Increased energy and activity
Less need for sleep
Racing thoughts and talkativeness
Boost in confidence
Impulsive actions with potential risks

Depressive Episode Symptoms

Persistent sadness or emptiness
Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
Changes in appetite or weight
Trouble sleeping or oversleeping
Fatigue and loss of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Physical symptoms like headaches or pain
Thoughts of death or suicide, or self-harming behaviors

These symptoms can last for weeks and significantly affect daily life.

What are the factors CAUSING bipolar symptoms?

causes of bipolar symptoms, EFT Tapping for bipolar disorder

Numerous factors contribute to the symptoms associated with bipolar disorder, as highlighted in "The Natural Medicine Guide to Bipolar Disorder" authored by Stephanie Marohn (1) such as:

Genetic vulnerabilities
Exposure to stress
Chemical and heavy metal toxicity (such as mercury, lead, copper, and aluminum)
Food allergies
Nutritional deficiencies
Imbalances in gut bacteria
Sensitivity to food additives like MSG and aspartame
Insufficient sleep
Sedentary lifestyle and inadequate exposure to light
Hormonal imbalances
Low blood sugar levels
Structural abnormalities such as cranial compression from birth trauma or injury
Existing medical conditions
Certain medications and the use of stimulants

These diverse factors can interact and vary in significance from person to person, influencing the onset, severity, and duration of bipolar symptoms.

Potential causes of bipolar disorder

The causes of bipolar disorder are complex and not entirely understood, but a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors likely play a role.

Environmental triggers such as stress, financial difficulties, trauma, the loss of a loved one, or substance abuse can worsen symptoms.

Biological imbalances in neurotransmitters and brain structure abnormalities are implicated.

Potential causes of bipolar mood episodes

There can be a genetic link, with family history playing a role. Circadian rhythm disruptions and hormonal fluctuations may contribute.

Additionally, certain medical conditions and medications can coincide with bipolar symptoms.

How does bipolar disorder negatively affect a person's daily life?

Bipolar disorder has extensive negative effects across several areas:

Mood Instability

Characterised by intense mood swings between manic/hypomanic and depressive episodes, causing distress and disruption in daily life.

Impaired Functioning

Interference with work, school, relationships, and self-care due to impulsivity, concentration difficulties, and low energy during episodes.

Relationship Strain

Mood swings, irritability, and impulsive behaviour can strain relationships, leading to conflicts and social withdrawal.

Occupational and Career Advancement Challenges

Difficulty maintaining steady employment due to mood-related fluctuations in productivity and reliability.

Substance Abuse

Increased risk of co-occurring substance use disorders as a person may use substances to cope with mood symptoms.

Suicidal Behaviour

Heightened risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts, especially during depressive episodes.

Cognitive Dysfunction

Bipolar disorder greatly affects cognitive function, impacting attention, memory, and decision-making. During mood episodes, there can be scattered focus and difficulty in sustaining attention.

Memory problems are common, affecting both short-term and long-term memory. The processing speed of a person also slows down, especially during depressive episodes, thus causing delays in decision-making.

Psychological themes related to bipolar disorder

Psychological themes intertwined with bipolar disorder present you with a range of challenges. You might struggle with suppressed emotions, finding it difficult to express and process feelings fully, leading to internal conflicts.

Elevated stress and anxiety levels exacerbate symptoms and trigger mood episodes with disruption in communication and trust within relationships.

Heal yourself, Psychological themes related to bipolar disorder

Common self-criticism stems from mood swings and distorted thinking, leading to negative beliefs about yourself. Unresolved emotional issues further intensify symptom severity, and past traumatic experiences or emotional triggers influence mood stability, adding complexity to the disorders.

Emotional themes related to bipolar disorder

If you are struggling with Bipolar disorder, you may experience a wide range of emotional themes as well, alternating between periods of intense euphoria.

Mood shifts occur suddenly, causing overwhelming emotional instability. Anxiety and worry may accompany manic or mixed episodes, while impulsivity and recklessness often characterise manic phases.

Feelings of shame and embarrassment about symptoms are common, leading to social withdrawal and isolation during depressive episodes. Also, negative self-beliefs and low self-esteem contribute to feelings of worthlessness and self-criticism.

Diagnosis to gauge bipolar disorder

To determine if you have bipolar disorder, your assessment might involve:

Physical Examination

Here, your doctor conducts a physical examination and runs a few lab tests to rule out any underlying medical conditions contributing to your symptoms.

Psychiatric Evaluation

A psychiatrist engages in discussions related to your thoughts, emotions, and behavioural patterns. You may also be asked to complete psychological questionnaires. With your consent, input from family or close friends are sought for additional insights.

Mood Tracking

The practice of maintaining a daily record of your moods, sleep patterns, and other relevant factors aids in your diagnosis and further treatment planning.

Diagnostic Criteria

Your psychiatrist can now compare your symptoms with the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to finally determine if they align with bipolar and related disorders.

Treatment to tackle bipolar disorder

Mental health practitioner, EFT Tapping technique heals

Treatment for bipolar disorder is typically overseen by a mental health practitioner, psychiatrist, or therapist. This care may involve a multidisciplinary team comprising psychologists, social workers, and psychiatric nurses.

Emerging research suggests that EFT Tapping has soothing benefits and tangible effects on the brain and body of those suffering from bipolar disorder.

At its core, EFT Tapping operates on the principle that disruptions in the body's energy system can contribute to emotional and physical distress. It uses therapy techniques for bipolar disorder to restore equilibrium, alleviate emotional burdens, and promote a sense of calm by stimulating these energy meridians through gentle tapping.

Does Emotional Freedom Techniques Support Bipolar Disorder?

Yes, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is beneficial for persons with bipolar disorder in several ways. It facilitates the release of pent-up emotions, allowing for healthier emotional expression. By tapping on specific acupressure points, EFT can regulate the body’s stress response, promoting relaxation and reducing stress-related physiological effects.

It also assists in emotion regulation, providing balance and calmness during periods of emotional instability. Through the tapping process, you can develop greater self-awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and triggers, empowering you to make positive behavioural and mindset changes.

EFT Tapping can also target and alleviate negative beliefs and self-critical thoughts that contribute to low self-esteem and mood disturbances. Regular practice enhances emotional resilience, enabling better coping with the challenges of bipolar disorder and life stressors.

If you want to learn more about the role of EFT Tapping in managing bipolar disorder symptoms, download this free E-booklet now.

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While not a replacement for medical treatment, EFT Tapping surely complements traditional therapies by helping manage mood symptoms associated with bipolar disorder, such as depression and anxiety.

HOW TO OVERCOME UNPLEASANT BIPOLAR EPISODES WITH EFT TAPPING?

The EFT Tapping steps to deal with traumatic events associated with unpleasant bipolar episodes are as follows:

Please note: For this tapping sequence, we are considering the emotion ‘anxiety' as an example of dealing with traumatic emotions. Feel free to replace it with whichever feeling you are experiencing the most.

Step 1:

First, use EFT Tapping on a traumatic experience:

Explore the physical sensations in the body associated with the distressing memory and use the physical tension-tapping process to reduce the sensations.

Begin by investigating the physical nature of a traumatic memory

Connect with that memory and notice where you feel it in the body.

Briefly, you can begin by asking yourself the following questions:

“Where in the body do you experience the alarming memory?”
“What is the colour, texture, size and shape of the memory?”
“What are the sensations like? For example, rough or smooth.”

Measure the level of trauma

Now, measure the level of your trauma by asking yourself,

"What number is the trauma at, where 10 is really high and 1 is not high at all."

Just go with whatever comes up spontaneously, without thinking too much about it.

Start tapping on the Karate Chop (side of hand) with the set up statement

"Even though I feel anxious with this incident, and I feel it in my chest and it's at a number 6 and it's red in colour and it feels rough, I deeply and completely love and accept myself." (Repeat 3 times).

Tap the upper body tapping points using these phrases

Eyebrow: This anxiety...
Side of the Eye: So anxious...
Under the Eye: Anxiety in my chest...
Under the Nose: It's a purple colour...
Chin: At a number 8...
Collarbone: So rough...
Under the arm: This anxiety...
Thumb: I feel it in my abdomen...
Index finger: So anxious...
Middle finger: Really distressful...
Little finger: The colour purple…

Close the sequence

Come back to the EFT tapping points and repeat the set-up statement,

"Even though I feel anxious with this incident, and I feel it in my chest plus abdomen and it's at a number 8 and it's purple in colour and it feels rough, I deeply and completely love and accept myself."

Relax

Take a gentle breath in and out and take a sip of water.

Test

At the end of the EFT Tapping, you can ask yourself the following questions:

What number is the pain of memory now?
What happened?
How does it make me feel?

You can repeat this process by going back to Step 1 if you feel like the number could come down a little more.

Step 2:

Discover past experiences of the traumatic memory and clear them to get relief from bipolar episodes.

To uncover the memories linked to the traumatic incident, you can ask questions like:

When have I felt the upsetting memory before?
What do these memories remind me of?
Was there ever a time when I did not experience these debilitating memories?
Who or what triggers those memories?

These questions will identify your past experiences associated with the traumatic memory. Identify past events linked to the trauma and resolve them with the help of tapping therapy.

Step 3:

Explore any limiting beliefs that may have prevented you from being trauma-free:

A licensed therapist first uncovers the limiting beliefs for trauma which can either be at the surface level or associated with the deeper root memories. Then shift them from stressful to empowering. For example,

“Something bad is going to happen” to “Everything is going to be alright."
"I can't trust anyone" to "I can decide whom to trust."
"I'm stuck in the past" to "I am moving forward with my life."
"It's not safe" to "I am safe now."

Step 4:

Close with positive EFT Tapping:

Examples of a positive tapping sequence might be:

“Even though I suddenly feel angry/sad/scared/hopeless sometimes, I am open to the possibility of feeling happy & free.”
“Even though I was living with this trauma for many years/months now, what if I could let go of it and feel liberated & peaceful instead?"
"Even though my emotions can swing dramatically because of bipolar disorder, what if I could find stability and peace within myself?"

Case studies supporting the effectiveness of EFT in addressing bipolar disorder

How did EFT help 6-year-old Susie, diagnosed with bipolar disorder?

A 6-year-old Susie, diagnosed with bipolar disorder, faced fears of ghosts, separation anxiety, and disappointment. Through simple sessions, she overcame these challenges. Her mother, tapping with her daily, saw remarkable improvements. Her bipolar symptoms vanished, prompting questions about her diagnosis and treatment approach (2).

How did EFT help a 57-year-old with bipolar disorder significantly alleviate debilitating depression?

A 57-year-old individual diagnosed with bipolar disorder was grappling with debilitating depression. Despite medication, the depression persisted to the extent that shock treatment was being considered as an option. However, upon being introduced to EFT, the individual began incorporating tapping into the daily routine, practising it twice a day. Remarkably, within just three months of consistent tapping, a significant improvement in mood was observed. And after just a month and a half of tapping, the individual ceased to feel depressed altogether (3).

How did Surrogate EFT Tapping help a client manage her husband's unpredictable and aggressive behaviour?

In a challenging situation involving her husband, who was grappling with diabetes, alcoholism, and bipolar disorder, a surrogate EFT practitioner intervened remotely. Recognising the severity of his road rage incident, she tapped on his behalf to address his intense rage and fear. Remarkably, upon arriving at work, his demeanour shifted dramatically, displaying an unexpected calmness that defied the expected turmoil. This sudden change in behaviour, accompanied by a sense of composed composure, dissolved the fears of the surrogate EFT practitioner. Consequently, an emergency session was no longer deemed necessary. The potential of EFT to bring about rapid and significant shifts in emotional well-being, offers hope and relief in times of distress (4).

How did an EFT session help a client find relief from distressing childhood photos and stabilise her during a bipolar episode?

The potential effectiveness of EFT Tapping for bipolar disorder is immense. A client who experienced distress from traumatic childhood photos found profound relief through an innovative EFT session. The practitioner guided her to visualise her younger self burning the images, resulting in an immediate alleviation of her distress. Surprisingly, EFT Tapping proved more effective in resolving long-standing issues than previous psychotherapy attempts. During a subsequent bipolar episode, EFT quickly restored her to stability, a feat that was previously considered unimaginable (5).

Dealing with bipolar disorder can be a dreary task. But, when you integrate EFT into treatment plans alongside traditional approaches, you harness the power of holistic healing, stay strong, and reclaim control over your life.

Love,

Dr Rangana Rupavi Choudhari (PhD)

P.S. Want to discover if EFT is right for you? Book a Complimentary Discovery Call.

How to self-heal and become a practitioner

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In summary, the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) serves as a complementary approach to traditional therapies while working with bipolar disorder. It offers a gentle yet powerful method for addressing emotional distress, trauma, and mood instability associated with it. By tapping into the body's energy system, you can find relief from bipolar episodes, promote emotional regulation, and enhance overall well-being.

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