Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that is characterized by extreme highs and lows known as mania and depression. Someone who suffers from bipolar disorder experiences manic episodes in which their mood is tremendously affected. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, at least half of those with this disorder have symptoms before the age of 25.
Symptoms of Mania
When someone is manic, they're either very happy or very irritable. The person will have little need for sleep, eat little, talk very fast, seem restless and behave impulsively. Someone experiencing a manic episode might seem to think that he can do amazing things such as find the cure to world hunger when he's never considered the problem before or done any research on world hunger.
Causes of Mania
There is not one known cause of bipolar disorder or mania. Scientists and researchers believe that bipolar disorder is caused by a combination of things such as genetics, imbalances in neurotransmitters, hormones and environmental factors.
Types of Treatment
The two most common types of treatment include psychotherapy and medication. According to the Mayo Clinic, lithium, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, symbyax and benzodiazepines are forms of medication used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Some doctors will not prescribe antidepressants, because they can trigger manic episodes.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a common form of psychotherapy used in treating bipolar disorder and manic episodes. If someone is suffering from a severe manic episode, individual therapy is not effective. The person will not be able to focus on treatment; therefore, the person's mood would have to be stabilized before therapy would be useful. Psychiatric hospitalizations are sometimes needed in order to stabilize the person's mood.
The Mayo Clinic reports that electroconvulsive therapy can be used in treating this disorder if medication and therapy aren't effective; however, it's often used to treat the severe depression that occurs from bipolar disorder, not the manic episodes.
Considerations
Bipolar disorder is a life-long mental health disorder and needs long-term treatment. Someone with this disorder might receive successful treatment and stabilize her mood for a long period before experiencing another manic or depressive episode. However, the risk is there. People who suffer from manic episodes can work to prevent future episodes by taking their medication regularly, stopping drug and alcohol use, having a good support system, getting daily exercise, and getting eight hours of sleep each night.
Warning
People who are bipolar are at risk for suicidal ideation and behaving recklessly. Someone who's manic might have unprotected sex with numerous strangers, spend all his money gambling, take large quantities of drugs or make impulsive business investments. If you or someone you know suffers from bipolar disorder, it's extremely important that you or that person receive professional treatment.
