What is Bipolar Disorder?

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that can cause extreme mood swings. This includes periods of mania, where you feel very high and happy, and periods of depression, where you feel very low and down. Some people with bipolar disorder also experience psychosis, which can include hearing or seeing things that aren’t there. It’s not known exactly what causes bipolar disorder, but it’s thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Treatment for bipolar disorder usually involves medication and therapy.

Bipolar disorder is called Manic Depression, which causes excessive mood swings. Bipolar disorder includes high levels of excitement (Mania or Hypomania) and low levels of depression. (What is Bipolar Disorder)

When you suffer depression, you feel depressed and lose interest in most activities. At the same time, when the mood changes in the other direction, then you can contact full of celebration and energy.

Changes in mood can occur only a few times a year or several times a week. Mood swings are more severe, debilitating, and disabling in people who have bipolar disorder, compared to the experience of ordinary people.

Some people may also have hallucinations (nightmares, etc.) and other symptoms.

With treatment, some people can work well or study, etc. in this condition and lead a competent life. However, some people stop or stop taking medicines when they feel well.

According to some studies, the creativity of some people with bipolar disorder may increase. However, mood swings can cause them difficulty focusing on a project or following a plan. As a result, individuals start many projects or tasks but are not able to finish them.

Although bipolar disorder is a harmful and long-term condition, you can prevent mood swings by following a proper treatment plan. In most of the cases, bipolar disorder can be controlled with the help of drugs and psychological counseling. (What is Bipolar Disorder)

Types of Bipolar Disorder

There are many types of bipolar and other related disorders, including maniac or hypomanic and depression, etc. Its symptoms cause unpredictable changes in mood and behavior, resulting in increased difficulty and distress in life.

Bipolar I disorder

A patient may have at least one manic episode before or after a hypomanic or depressive episode. In some cases, Maniac also triggers psychosis.?

Bipolar II disorder

A patient may have a significant depression episode or hypomanic episode, but there is never a manic episode.

Cyclothymic disorder

It consists of several periods of symptoms of hypomanic and depressive (less than significant depression) symptoms for up to 2 years. However, it can be up to one year old in children and adolescents.

Click Here to Read: Subtle Signs of Bipolar Disorder

Other types

For example, bipolar disorder is caused due to a medical condition or consumption of alcohol, or stroke, etc.

The second type of Bipolar II disorder is not much different from its first type (i.e., Bipolar I disorder), but the methods of diagnosis are different. It can be more severe and dangerous after a manic episode in a Bipolar I disorder.

People who have bipolar II may suffer from depression for a long time, which can cause more harm. More information on mania, hypomania, and major depressive disorder is given in the section on ‘symptoms.’ (What is Bipolar Disorder)

Symptoms of the Bipolar Disorder

What are the symptoms of the bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder can occur in any person of any age, especially in adolescence and 20 years of age or earlier. Symptoms of the bipolar disorder can vary from person to person, and its signs can change over time.

1. Manic and hypomania 

These are both different types of cases, but they have similar symptoms. Manic is more severe than hypomania, causing difficulty in handling work, studies, and social activities. Maniac can also trigger psychosis, which can lead to hospitalization.

The following symptoms found in both manic and hypomanic symptoms-

• Feeling unusually excited, irritable or peculiar,
• Increase in activity, energy or distraction,
• Euphoria, feeling happy and confident
• Feeling less need for sleep
• Talking or speaking needlessly,
• Keep thinking of something,
• Feeling more anxious,
• Trouble making decisions – for example going to buy something and taking anything there or paying more money.

2. Major depressive episode

The symptoms which occur in a major depressive episode are very severe, making it difficult to complete daily activities. The difficulties in this are quite noticeable, such as difficulty in finishing school, work, and other social events, or personal problem. Symptoms of a major depressive episode may include the following –

• Depressed moods such as feeling depressed, emptiness, hopeless, and moutheir patterns may differ from adults with bipolar disorderemptiness, hopelessness, and motor patterns may differ from adults with bipolar disorderrningrning (this can also increase irritability in children).
• No interest or desire in almost all types of activities.
• Weight gain or occurrence, loss of appetite at times, or loss of excess weight (not gaining weight in children can be a sign of depression).
• Insomnia, or too much sleep.
• Feeling restless or working slowly.
• Feel tired or lacking in energy.
• Feeling unworthy or guilty.
• Lack of ability to think and pay attention, difficulty in deciding.
• Plan or attempt to commit suicide.

3. Other features of bipolar disorder:

Symptoms of both bipolar (I) and (II) may also add some other characteristics, such as anxious distress, sadness, psychosis, etc.

Click Here To Read: What Ended The Great Depression

4. Symptoms in children and adolescents:

The symptoms of bipolar disorder are quite difficult to identify in children and adolescents. In this disease, it becomes difficult to determine whether these are normal mental fluctuations, the result of stress or trauma, or a general mental health problem other than a bipolar disorder.

Episodes of major depressive, manic, or hypomanic may vary among children and adolescents. However, their patterns may be differ from adults with bipolar disorder.

Moods may change acutely during the episode. During the event of some children, some periods may occur without any mood symptoms. (What is Bipolar Disorder)

When should I see a doctor?

Despite being at the height of the mood, people with bipolar do not understand how much their emotional instability is hindering their and their loved ones’ lives. Due to which they do not understand and required the need for treatment.

If you are experiencing some of the symptoms of depression, then a doctor or mental health specialist should be examined. Bipolar disorder never improves on its own. Getting treatment from an experienced doctor of bipolar disorder helps control symptoms.

Causes and Risk Factors of Bipolar Disorder

Why does bipolar disorder occur?

The exact causes of the bipolar disorder are unknown until now, but some factors may increase its risk, including:

Biological differences:

People those are suffering from bipolar disorder can see some physical changes in their brains. The importance of these changes is not known yet, but with the help of these, some reasons can be discovered.

Neurotransmitters:

Naturally, imbalances in brain chemicals are called neurotransmitters. These play an essential role in bipolar disorder and other mood disorders.

Inherited traits

If a person first has a bipolar disorder in the family, it is pervasive for other members to have this disorder. Researchers are trying to find the gene that is involved in these causes of bipolar disorder.

Risk factors for bipolar disorder:

Factors that may increase the risk of having a bipolar disorder, or act as a trigger for the first episode. These may include –

Someone in the family first had this disorder, such as parents or siblings, etc.

Go through a lot of stress.

Alcohol Addiction:

Going through some extreme grief in life like the death of a loved one or other painful experience. (What is Bipolar Disorder)

Commonly occurring problems in bipolar disorder:

If you have a bipolar disorder, you may also have other health problems that are diagnosed before or after testing for bipolar disorder. Certain conditions are very important to diagnose and treat, as they can make the condition of bipolar disorder worse. This may decrease the success of the treatment of the bipolar disorder, which may include the following conditions.

Anxiety Disorder

For example, social anxiety disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.

Post-traumatic stress disorder

This disorder is accompanied by a disorder related to stress and trauma, as well as a bipolar disorder.

Click Here To Read: Read This Before Buying 60 Second Panic Solution

Meditation and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Symptoms of this disorder may appear with a bipolar disorder. This makes it difficult to differentiate between bipolar disorder and ADHD. In this, the patient often does something wrong for the other. In some situations, the patient is tested for both conditions. (What is Bipolar Disorder)

Misuse of drugs and other substances

Many people who have bipolar disorder have problems with tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, etc. After consuming alcohol or any medicines, it seems that the symptoms are reducing, but in fact, they aggravate and worsen the conditions, and sometimes they act as a trigger for this disorder.

Physical health problems

People with bipolar disorder may have some other health-related issues, such as heart disease, thyroid disease, and obesity.

Prevention of Bipolar Disorder

How can bipolar prevent disorder?

There is no proper way to prevent bipolar disorder.

However, bipolar disorder can be prevented by timely screening and treatment of mental health signs and disorders. It also prevents other mental health conditions from becoming more serious.

If your bipolar disorder has been tested, some strategies prevent minor symptoms from developing into a full episode of mania or depression, which are –

Pay attention to the warning signs – early detection of symptoms of bipolar disorder can prevent its incident from worsening. You and your carers can identify the pattern of your bipolar episode.

If you feel that you are in the grip of an episode of depression or mania, see your doctor. Include your family members & friends, etc. to keep an eye on the signs of this disease. (What is Bipolar Disorder)

Do not consume alcohol and other drugs

Using alcohol or any drug can make your symptoms worse and increase your chances of returning.

Take medicines properly as per the instructions – you may feel like giving up treatment, but do not do so because its results can be visible immediately, which can make you feel very stressed.

Apart from this, you can also fall prey to an episode of manic or hypomanic. If you think that you need to make some changes yourself, talk to your doctor.

Check them before taking some other medicines – If you are going to another doctor or over-the-counter medication or supplements, first consult your doctor who is treating your bipolar disorder.

Some other drugs sometimes act as a trigger for an episode of bipolar disorder. The medicines you are eating for the treatment of bipolar disorder can also interfere with their actions. (What is Bipolar Disorder)

Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder test:

Especially when doctors suspect a bipolar disorder in a patient, they do many trials and tests. With the help of these tests, few other problems are revealed, and other complications associated with them are also investigated. These may include the following criteria:

Physical examination

Physical examination and lab tests can be done to check any medical problem and to find out the cause of symptoms.

Psychological assessment

Your doctor or mental health provider/ consultant can talk to you about your thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns. You may also have to fill a psychological questionnaire or self-assessment for this.

As per your permission, information about your symptoms and possible episodes of mania or depression can be obtained from your close loved ones or friends. (What is Bipolar Disorder)

Click Here To Read: Types of Personality Disorders | Personality Disorders Types

Keeping a record of mood

Doctors can keep a record of your mood every day for information about what is happening. Apart from this, doctors can also get a history of sleep patterns and other factors that can help them diagnose bipolar disorder.

Signs and Symptoms Examined

Your doctor or mental health doctor/professional can usually compare your symptoms with the criteria for bipolar & related disorders in the Statistical Manual of the Mental Disorders to determine the diagnosis.

Diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children

Bipolar disorder can also occur in young children. It is most commonly seen in adolescents or the early 20s. It is often difficult to say whether these are normal emotional fluctuations in a child according to their age, are the result of trauma or stress, or are symptoms of a mental health problem other than bipolar disorder.

In children and adolescents, bipolar symptoms are often of different patterns, which do not fit appropriately into the categories used in diagnosing people. Children who have bipolar disorder are also often diagnosed with other mental health conditions, such as ADHD or other behavioral problems.

Children’s doctors can help you to know the symptoms of bipolar disorder and also give information about your child’s developmental age, status, and general cultural differences in behavior. (What is Bipolar Disorder)

Treatment of the bipolar disorder

What is the treatment of bipolar disorder?

May be best directed by a skilled psychiatrist in the treatment of bipolar-related disorders.

Treatment of bipolar disorder may include, as required –

Initial treatment

Often, you may have to start taking medications to balance your mood immediately. When your symptoms are under control, then your doctor may be able to find the best long-term treatment.

Continuous treatment

A person who has bipolar disorder needs therapy throughout his life, even when a patient is feeling better. Continuous care-related treatment can also be used to manage bipolar disorder over a long period. (What is Bipolar Disorder)

Substance abuse treatment

If you have problems with alcohol, medication or other drugs, you may need treatment for drug abuse. Otherwise, it can be quite challenging to treat bipolar disorder.

Hospitalization

If you behave dangerously or if the thought of suicide keeps coming in your mind, then the doctor can hospitalize you.

The primary treatment for bipolar disorder may include medications and psychiatric counseling (psychotherapy), as well as disease-related information and support groups.

Mood stabilizer

Whether you have bipolar I disorder or, bipolar II disorder, you may generally need mood-stabilizing medication to control manic and hypomanic. Could.

Antipsychotic

If symptoms of the depression or mania persist despite treatment with other medications, then adding antipsychotic drugs with them may help. Your doctor may prescribe/ write some of these medicines alone or with mood stabilizer medications.

Antidepressants

Your doctor may also prescribe an antidepressant to help and manage depression. But many times, antidepressant medications can trigger manic episodes, so they are often written with mood stabilizers and antipsychotic drugs.

Antipsychotic

Symbyax drugs act as stress treatment and mood stabilizers. Symbiex has been explicitly approved for the treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar I and bipolar II disorders.

Anti-anxiety

These medicines are usually used for a short time to get relief from anxiety.

All medicines can have side effects; medications should be used after consulting a doctor to avoid any severe damage or loss. (What is Bipolar Disorder)

Medicines for a pregnant woman

Many drugs for the treatment of bipolar disorder are associated with congenital disabilities; one must talk to the doctor on this issue.

Contraceptive options

Taking birth control drugs with some bipolar disorder drugs reduces their effects.

Treatment options if you (women) are thinking about getting pregnant.

Breastfeeding.

Some bipolar medications can get into your baby through breast milk.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is an integral part of bipolar disorder treatment, which can be provided for individual, family, or systemic groups. A variety of therapies may be helpful under this, including:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

The focus of CBT is to identify illness, identify negative beliefs and behaviors, and make them healthy. This therapy also helps to tell you what triggered the bipolar disorder. Strategies can also be learned to manage stress and cope with distressing situations.

Psychoeducation

It provides advice to help you learn about bipolar disorder. It helps you and your loved ones with bipolar disorder. Knowing what is happening with you etc. enables you to get the best treatment. This treatment will also help you and your loved ones recognize the signs of mood swings. (What is Bipolar Disorder)

Click Here To Read: 20 Ways About How to Calm Yourself During an Anxiety Attack

Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy

Also known as IPSRT. It focuses on the rhythm of the day, such as sleeping, waking and eating, etc. A routine allows for better mood management. Establishing daily routines for sleeping, eating and exercising, etc. can significantly benefit people who have bipolar disorder.

Other therapy

Other therapies can be studied, with evidence of success. Talk to a doctor for a suitable option for you.

Treatment in children and adolescents

Medications

Children and adolescents who have bipolar disorder can also be given the same medicines, which are given to the people. Fewer research has been done on the safety & effectiveness of bipolar drugs in children than in adults, so, the treatment decisions are often based on research on adults.

Psychotherapy

Most children require a consultation to diagnose bipolar disorder as part of initial treatment and to prevent withdrawal of symptoms. Psychotherapy can help children with coping skills, explore learning difficulties, solve social problems, and strengthen family bonds and relationships, and more.

When needed, it can also help treat issues such as substance misuse, etc., which occur in older children with bipolar disorder. (What is Bipolar Disorder)

Complications of Bipolar Disorder

What difficulties can a bipolar disorder cause?

If this disease left untreated, bipolar disorder can have serious health consequences, which can affect every area of ??the body. These may include –

• Problems with the consumption of drugs and alcohol, etc.
• Trying to think or think about yourself,
• Legal issues,
• Financial problems,
• Difficulties in relationships,
• Isolation and loneliness,
• Poor performance in school and other functions
• Frequent absence from work or school.

What is a bipolar person like?

A person with bipolar go from the depths of depression to high-flying mania – a state of overwhelming joy, energy that won’t quit and little need for sleep. The experience is different for everyone – like a snowflake’s individual pattern, no two people will ever have exactly the same journey with this condition.

How does a bipolar person act?

Bipolar disorder is a wild roller coaster with extreme highs and lows. When in the manic state, you may experience increased energy, excitement and even find yourself acting impulsively or feeling agitated. However on the flip side of the coin are depressive symptoms like low energy levels, feelings of worthlessness & suicidal thoughts – definitely not fun!

How do I know if I’m bipolar?

To be given the official diagnosis of bipolar disorder, you must have experienced a manic or hypomanic episode. While they can both lead to feelings of exhilaration and quick action-taking, mania is more intense than its milder counterpart — and it could even cause disruption in your life if left untreated!

Note: Depression Cure does not provide any type of medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

31 Ways To Get Rid Of Tension Headache