Previously known as manic-depressive illness, bipolar disorder is a complex psychiatric condition that involves sudden and dramatic mood swings between mania and depression. A bipolar episode may last for hours, days, weeks, or months and symptoms may be severe. Sometimes, the condition may result in dangerously impulsive or self-destructive behavior and often lead to depression so severe, resulting in suicide.
Causes of Bipolar Disorder
It is known that those with bipolar disorder have physiological changes in their brains. According to studies, they may be influenced by different environmental and genetic factors, such as:
- Imbalances in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters
- Hormonal imbalances
- Heredity
- Environmental stress
- Trauma
- Childhood abuse
Types of Bipolar Disorder
There are 3 types of bipolar disorder, which is characterized by the severity of the disease:
- Bipolar I – they typically suffer manic or depressive episodes lasting for a week or more. The episodes can be alleviated with medication. If the condition is severe enough, they may require hospitalization.
- Bipolar II – This type is less severe. Those with this type of bipolar disorder may have noticeably elevated or depressed moods that last for a shorter period compared to patients with bipolar I.
- Cyclothymic disorder – this is a milder form of bipolar disorder characterized by mood swings that are more extreme than those of the average person, albeit not disabling.
There are also other variations in bipolar disorder wherein symptoms may differ in specific ways, like:
- Seasonal changes in mood
- Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder
- Bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms
- Bipolar disorder in children
- Hypomania
- Mixed state bipolar disorder
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Symptoms of bipolar disorder can be described as extreme versions of the emotional states all individuals experience. However, the emotional states are not only exaggerated but often seem to have no relation to experienced events. Beyond that, symptoms start and stop abruptly and are extreme to the point wherein the individual cannot function normally.
Symptoms of Mania
Manic episodes will vary in range. While some symptoms are similar to those experienced during a period of happiness, many topple over into a kind of chaos. These symptoms include:
- Euphoria
- Inflated self-esteem
- Rapid speech and racing thoughts
- Increased physical activity
- Agitation, irritation, or aggression
- Heightened sexual desire
- Impulsive or risky behavior
- Distractibility
- Decreased appetite or need for sleep
- Substance abuse
Symptoms of Depression
Depressive episodes differ from simple sadness since they frequently are not reactions to a sad experience and reach a depth of despair that is not experienced by healthy individuals. These symptoms include the following:
- Anxiety
- Hopelessness
- Dissociation
- Feelings of guilt
- Sleep disturbances
- Decreased or increased appetite
- Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
- Inactivity
- Loss of interest in sex and other pleasurable activities
- Inexplicable chronic pain
- Suicidal thoughts
Symptoms can be exacerbated by many things, including physical illness, traumatic events, hormonal imbalance, and ongoing abusive treatment.
Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder can be treated with medication and psychotherapy. Medications administered to treat bipolar symptoms include mood stabilizers, anti-seizure, antidepressants, anti-psychotics, and anti-anxiety medications. Often, hospitalization may be necessary for patients with severe symptoms, particularly those who experience throws of a severe episode.
Risks of Bipolar Disorder
If left untreated, bipolar disorder is life-threatening and can eventually lead to suicide. The condition is not curable at present. However, ongoing treatment can keep the patient stabilized. Once a patient with the condition has achieved emotional balance with treatment, normal functioning is possible.
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