Bipolar disorder, also referred to as manic depression, is a mood disorder that affects 5.7 million adults in the United States--about 2.6 percent of the population, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The age of onset is between 15 and 25, and the disorder can be found in both men and women. A bipolar patient has mood shifts between mania and depression, although he does have periods of normal mood.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
Four types of bipolar disorder are listed in the Diagnostics and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). A patient with bipolar I disorder has mainly mania symptoms, while a patient with bipolar II disorder has mainly depression symptoms. A patient with bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (BP NOS) has symptoms that do not fit the criteria for the first two types of bipolar disorder. The fourth type of bipolar disorder, cyclothymia, is a mild form of the disorder. The patient also can be diagnosed with rapid cycling bipolar disorder, in which she has four or more mood swings a year.
Symptoms of Mania
Mania is the high mood of the disorder, in which the patient is either euphoric or irritable. Symptoms of mania include an inflated self-esteem, poor temper control, being easily distracted and having little need for sleep. The patient also participates in risky behavior, such as substance use, sexual promiscuity, binge eating and spending sprees.
Symptoms of Depression
The other half of the disorder, depression, is the low mood. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that bipolar depression shares the same serious symptoms seen in major depression. These symptoms include changes in sleep and appetite, social withdrawal, feeling worthless and hopeless, fatigue and persistent sadness. The patient is at high risk of suicide, which can be worsened by substance abuse.
Diagnosis
The Mayo Clinic explains that a patient undergoes different examinations in order to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, including a physical examination and lab tests to rule out other causes. Another part of the diagnosis process is a psychological evaluation, which involves self-assessment and information from the patient's family. The doctor also may ask the patient to do mood charting to map changes in his mood and behavior.
Treatment
The main treatment options for bipolar disorder are medication and therapy. Mood stabilizers, such as lithium, can manage both mania and depression symptoms. The NIMH notes that antidepressants can cause rapid mood cycling if not combined with a mood stabilizer. Therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, treats the underlying causes of the disorder.
