Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder also known as manic depression and is characterized by intense highs and lows. Bipolar disorder can significantly impact a person's life due to extreme symptoms. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than half of the cases of this disorder begin before the age of 25.
Types
There are two main types of bipolar disorder, which are bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder. Someone with bipolar I disorder must meet the criteria for having manic episodes. The person might also suffer from major depression episodes; however, it's not mandatory to receive this diagnosis. A person suffering from bipolar II disorder will experience hypomanic episodes as well as major depressive episodes.
Signs and Symptoms
One major symptom of bipolar disorders is severe mood changes. Someone experiencing depression would show signs of sadness or irritability, and someone experiencing mania or hypomania would show signs of intense happiness or irritability. Major depression is also characterized by hopelessness, worthlessness, issues sleeping and eating, problems at school or work, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and thoughts of suicide.
Mania and hypomania are characterized by racing thoughts, increased energy, being easily distracted, risky behaviors such as having unprotected sex or gambling, needing little sleep, having poor judgment and aggressive behavior. Hypomania is a less severe form of mania and results in less psychiatric hospitalizations than mania.
Causes and Risk Factors
There is no one known cause for bipolar disorder; however, there are risk factors that people should be aware of. Someone who has a relative with this disorder is more likely to develop it. People with this disorder have different levels of neurotransmitters in their brains, and they might have hormonal imbalances. Things in a person's environment such as stress, abuse and trauma can make it more likely that the person will develop the disorder.
Treatment
Bipolar disorder is usually treated with a combination of therapy and medication. According to HelpGuide.org, this disorder is treated over a long period of time and may require treatment and medication throughout the person's life. Some common forms of therapy used are cognitive-behavioral therapy, family-focused therapy and interpersonal therapy. A therapist would also provide psychoeducation around the signs and symptoms, treatment options and causes of the disorder.
Most therapists and doctors recommend that patients take medications to stabilize moods. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that mood-stabilizing medications are usually the first choice of medication for treating this disorder. Some mood stabilizing medications include lithium, depakote and lamictal.
Self-Help
People with bipolar disorder can also help themselves by learning about the disorder, decreasing stress, getting support from friends and family members and monitoring their moods. The Mayo Clinic reports that people with this disorder should get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, quit using alcohol or drugs and stay away from unhealthy relationships.
