Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic depressive illness or manic depression) is a kind of psychiatric disorder related to a category of mood disorders and is defined as the presence of one or more intervals of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition and mood with or without one or more intervals of depression. Clinically these elevated moods are mania and if they are mild then they are known as hypomania.
People who came to experience such manic episodes also experience depressive episodes or symptoms while they can also come across mixed episodes which have features of both mania and depressive episodes at the same time. Between these episodes there is a period of normal mood but in some patients, depression and mania alternate rapidly and this condition is called rapid cycling. Episodes of extreme mania can lead to symptoms like delusions and hallucinations.
This disorder has sub-phases like Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia and many others. This subdivision depends upon the severity and nature of the mood episodes and the range of mood episodes is usually called bipolar spectrum.
The diagnosis of this disorder is based on the patient’s personally reported experiences and observed behavior. The bipolar disorders are usually associated with distress, disruption and a high risk of suicide especially during depressive episodes while in others it may be attached with creativity, goal striving and positive achievements.
Genetic as well as environmental factors are involved in the development of bipolar disorders. It can be treated by using mood stabilizers and other psychiatric drugs. The patients who don’t harm anyone can also be treated using psychotherapy otherwise involuntary commitment is used. Bipolar disorder is sometimes misdiagnosed as having schizophrenia.
Who Gets Bipolar Disorder
Anyone can be diagnosed with bipolar disorder at any time in their lives. The most common age to be diagnosed is early adolescents. This means most people are diagnosed from around age 13 to about age 15. Bipolar disorder is mostly an inherited disease. Children who have a bipolar parent have a 75% chance of being bipolar. Those diagnosed younger than 12 may have the disorder as a symptom of another mental illness, and those diagnosed over the age of 40 might have the disorder as the symptoms of Dementia or other mental illness that older people are diagnosed with frequently. The disorder has even been linked as a symptom of certain cardiovascular diseases.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder was known as manic depression in the past and it still is by some people. Manic depression is similar to Bipolar disorder because a person’s mood swings between mania and depression. The mood swings can last for hours, days, weeks or months. When you experience any symptoms that last for a week it will be known as an episode. When you experience four or more episodes of mania and/or depression in a year it is known as rapid cycling bipolar disorder.
The symptoms of the depressive episode of bipolar disorder are persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, isolation, or hopelessness in addition to disturbances in sleep and appetite, fatigue and loss of interest in usually enjoyable activities, more problems concentrating, loneliness, self-loathing, apathy or indifference, depersonalization, loss of interest in sexual activity, shyness or social anxiety, irritability, chronic pain which can be with or without a known cause, lack of motivation, and morbid suicidal idealization. Severe cases can lead up to delusion or hallucinations and this condition can last for even six months if left untreated.
Manic episodes are characteristic of bipolar disorder and it is diagnosed by the presence of distinct period of elevated mood which can further change into euphoria. Such patients have sleepless nights without getting tired even for nights, pressured speech, low attestation span, distraction, become aggressive, intolerant or intrusive. The patient may start using alcohol and other depressants like cocaine or other stimulants, or sleeping pills.
The bipolar disorder is thought to be connected with the creativity of the person, means those who are more creative have more chances of having bipolar disorder. Temperament is also a factor responsible for bipolar disorders. Sometimes setting high goals in life can also be the cause of bipolar disorder or low self-esteem and difficulties in social adjustment is also a factor of this disorder.
1. Irritability or Euphoria
Have you ever experienced times in your life where you simply seemed like you wanted to yell at someone for really no apparent reason? Someone with a bipolar disorder experiences this to a more significant degree than someone who does not have it. Although Hypo-mania is sometimes expressed as the more outgoing and overly happy side when it comes to having a bipolar disorder, many people who have this condition can also quickly swing back to the other side which is depression.
2. Excessive Talking
I know that my wife talks a lot, but when it comes to someone with bipolar disorder she is no match. Someone with a severe condition will often times speak quickly and tend to not let you have a word in the conversation. At times, because their mind is racing so quickly, it may be difficult to even follow what they are talking about.
3. Inflated Self-esteem
Someone with bipolar disorder during those times when they are having an issue with hypo-mania will tend to have a little extra pep in their step. This meaning that they appear to have an inflated ego and more self-esteem about themselves than they do a lot of other time. Generally someone with a more severe condition of bipolar disorder will have an extreme case where it may even be difficult to be around the person because they seem so arrogant.
4. Unusual Energy, No sleep needed
Have you ever seen someone who takes a form of drug that is an accelerant? This is a lot of what someone who is having an episode of hypo-mania will act like except that they do not need any form of drug to get the same result. It seems like they are talking a lot, they have lots of energy. Many people who experience this feeling as a result of hypo-mania will sometimes go shopping and spend all day doing it perhaps even into the late night hours. It will almost seem as if they have no sense of time.
5. Quick desire for self-gratification
Unfortunately for a lot of people who are in serious bipolar disorder hypo-mania episodes will tend to be in a large amount of debt. A lot of people when they are experiencing hypo-mania episodes will immediately go out and buy things that they not only do not need but also cannot afford. There are people with multiple vehicles that they have purchased even when they could not technically afford them. There are people seen who have lost their homes because they have made terrible financial decisions. There are even people who will take money from their retirement and spend it on clothes or other items that will never really last and they are forced to continue working the rest of their lives.
Generally someone in a Bipolar depression state will have bipolar depression symptoms such as a desire to stay indoors all the time, very low self-esteem, even keeping themselves locked behind a door away from others in the household, they might be sleeping a lot more than a normal human would naturally. These are just a few signs that someone may be experiencing a form of depression which could also be linked to bipolar disorder symptoms.
Manic episodes are characteristic of bipolar disorder and it is diagnosed by the presence of distinct period of elevated mood which can further change into euphoria. Such patients have sleepless nights without getting tired even for nights, pressured speech, low attestation span, distraction, become aggressive, intolerant or intrusive. The patient may start using alcohol and other depressants like cocaine or other stimulants, or sleeping pills.
The bipolar disorder is thought to be connected with the creativity of the person, means those who are more creative have more chances of having bipolar disorder. Temperament is also a factor responsible for bipolar disorders. Sometimes setting high goals in life can also be the cause of bipolar disorder or low self-esteem and difficulties in social adjustment is also a factor of this disorder.
Bipolar Mania / Hypo-mania Symptoms
Have you ever experienced times in your life where you simply seemed like you wanted to yell at someone for really no apparent reason? Someone with a bipolar disorder experiences this to a more significant degree than someone who does not have it. Although Hypo-mania is sometimes expressed as the more outgoing and overly happy side when it comes to having a bipolar disorder, many people who have this condition can also quickly swing back to the other side which is depression.
2. Excessive Talking
I know that my wife talks a lot, but when it comes to someone with bipolar disorder she is no match. Someone with a severe condition will often times speak quickly and tend to not let you have a word in the conversation. At times, because their mind is racing so quickly, it may be difficult to even follow what they are talking about.
3. Inflated Self-esteem
Someone with bipolar disorder during those times when they are having an issue with hypo-mania will tend to have a little extra pep in their step. This meaning that they appear to have an inflated ego and more self-esteem about themselves than they do a lot of other time. Generally someone with a more severe condition of bipolar disorder will have an extreme case where it may even be difficult to be around the person because they seem so arrogant.
4. Unusual Energy, No sleep needed
Have you ever seen someone who takes a form of drug that is an accelerant? This is a lot of what someone who is having an episode of hypo-mania will act like except that they do not need any form of drug to get the same result. It seems like they are talking a lot, they have lots of energy. Many people who experience this feeling as a result of hypo-mania will sometimes go shopping and spend all day doing it perhaps even into the late night hours. It will almost seem as if they have no sense of time.
5. Quick desire for self-gratification
Unfortunately for a lot of people who are in serious bipolar disorder hypo-mania episodes will tend to be in a large amount of debt. A lot of people when they are experiencing hypo-mania episodes will immediately go out and buy things that they not only do not need but also cannot afford. There are people with multiple vehicles that they have purchased even when they could not technically afford them. There are people seen who have lost their homes because they have made terrible financial decisions. There are even people who will take money from their retirement and spend it on clothes or other items that will never really last and they are forced to continue working the rest of their lives.
Bi-Polar Depression Symptoms
When you have five or more of the following symptoms for most of the day almost every single day and it lasts longer than two weeks, this is known as a depressive episode:
- Sad, anxious, irritability
- Losing energy
- Feeling hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness
- Lose interest in things you once enjoyed doing
- Concentrating becomes difficult
- Crying uncontrollably for no reason
- Can’t make decisions easily anymore
- Will feel more tired and want to sleep all the time
- Insomnia
- Weight gain or loss due to a change in your appetite
- Thoughts of suicide or death
- Attempting suicide
10 Signs of Bipolar Disorder
Regarding to mental illness it is very difficult to tell some specific and obvious signs and symptoms of the illness, and especially in case of bipolar disorder it is nearly impossible to give any quite clear sign of mood episodes. Here by quote the words of Carrie Bearden, PhD, an associate professor in residence of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and psychology at the David Geffen School of Medical at UCLA: He says that: “Chalking it up to moodiness or trouble at work or tiredness is pretty common. The disorder varies in severity.”
Here are ten signs of the bipolar disorder which are very difficult to analyze in the patient:
1. Great mood:
Actually bipolar disorder is the up and down episodes of mania and depression, and mostly during the manic episode the patient is completely cut off from the reality. Another sign of bipolar disorder is hypomania in which the patient feels excited and his/her spirits are quite high and his/her energy is also very high but still he/she has total grip on the reality.
Dr Bearden says about hypomania that it is a pretty enjoyable state and patients enjoy it because their energy is high. His/her mood is elevated in this state, he/she experiences a lot more energy than normal in them and their sense of creativity is also increased. This state can lead the patient to the euphoria state which is the up bar of the bipolar disorder as patients enjoy this state of bipolar disorder.
2. Laziness or inability in completing pending tasks:
The most important and obvious sign of bipolar disorder is lots of pending works and tasks but the patients who have the ability to utilize their elevated energies in hypomania phase are proved to be very productive and fruitful.
Don Malone, MD, the director of the Centre for behavioral health and chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio says about the people who didn’t go step by step in completing their tasks, plan huge ideas, unreal projects and leave them incomplete that: “They can be quite distractible and may start a million things and never finish them.”
3. Depression:
The depressive phase of the bipolar disorder is same as that of the normal depression cases. Dr Malone says that: “They have the same problems with energy, appetite, sleep and focus as others who have plain old depression. Antidepressants can be downright dangerous in people with bipolar because they can send them into mania.”
Antidepressants alone didn’t cure the depression of the bipolar patients, even they can worsen their condition and send them into a break-with-reality episode.
4. Irritation:
Some patients of the bipolar disorder have to face mixed mania in which they have to go through the symptoms of both mania and depression. In this state of mixed mania the patient is quite irritable.
Everyone has the chances of getting problems in his/her life and hence they can also be irritable either, but they are not bipolar patients. That’s why this sign of bipolarity is the most difficult to catch. Dr Bearden says about this situation that: “We are all irritable or moody sometimes, but in people with bipolar disorder it often becomes so severe that it interferes with their relationships – especially if the person is saying, ‘I don’t know why I’m so irritable… I can’t control it.”
Everyone has the chances of getting problems in his/her life and hence they can also be irritable either, but they are not bipolar patients. That’s why this sign of bipolarity is the most difficult to catch. Dr Bearden says about this situation that: “We are all irritable or moody sometimes, but in people with bipolar disorder it often becomes so severe that it interferes with their relationships – especially if the person is saying, ‘I don’t know why I’m so irritable… I can’t control it.”
5. Pressured speech:
There are some people who naturally have the ability to talk a lot whom we call talkative, motor mouth or chatty. But pressured speech is something different and it is the most important sign of bipolar disorder.
According to Dr Bearden this situation occurs when the patient is really not in a two way conversation. They try to talk more rapidly than you and if you wanna say a word they will just likely talk over you. They also jump around various topics which are totally irrelevant with the already discussing topic but the point to ponder is when the person does so when he/she is not in a habit of doing so. Mostly they do so when they are in manic phase.
6. Trouble at work:
Bipolar disorder patients have to face quite hard troubles at their work-place because many of their disorder signs become hindrance in their capability of doing work and interacting positively with others.
Along with the above mentioned problems they also have difficulties with sleeping, irritability and an elevated ego during the manic phase and during depression they suffer from excessive sleeping and other mood problems. According to Dr Malone most of the problems at work place are interpersonal.
7. Drug abuse:
Dr Bearden says that about 50% patients of the bipolar disorder are also involved in some substance abuse problem especially alcohol.
People use it both in manic and depression phase, to slow themselves in the former phase and to elevate their mood in the later one.
8. Erratic behavior:
During the manic phase of bipolar disorder, the patient has a swollen self esteem and ego. Dr Malone says that: “They feel grandiose and don’t consider consequences; everything sounds good to them.”
When the patient is going through this phase he/she shows two type of behaviors of the most - one is engaged themselves in sprees, and second is increased and unexpected sexual behavior.
Dr Malone further quoted that: “I have had a number of patients who have had affairs who never would have done that if they weren’t in a manic episode… during this episode they exhibited behavior that is not consistent with what they would do normally.”
9. Sleeping problems:
Bipolar patients often have sleeping problems like when they are in a depressive phase they may sleep a lot even too much and feel tired most of the times.
Contrary to this during a manic phase they don’t sleep for enough time and still don’t feel tired. Being in a manic phase, feels great and lots of energy even with sleep of just few hours. Dr Bearden suggests a scheduled sleep for a bipolar disorder patient.
10. Flight of ideas:
This sign of bipolar disorder is hard to detect but it mostly occurs when the person is in manic phase. His/her mind is felt like racing and the patient can’t control or slow down his/her thoughts and ideas.
This flight of ideas is accompanied with pressured speech (the bipolar patient never admits that their mind is racing or their ideas are out of their control).
Types of Bipolar Disorder
There are three types of Bipolar disorder that you need to be aware of. The patterns and severity of the symptoms or episodes, highs and lows will determine which Bipolar type you have.
Bipolar I disorder is characterized by you having one or more manic episodes or mixed episodes, which are when there are symptoms of mania and depression that will last for a week or more and will happen every single day, and one or more of depressive episodes that are extreme. Bipolar I disorder is known as being the most severe form of this disease that comes with extreme manic episodes.
Read more here on → Bipolar Disorder Type 1: Symptoms, Treatment, Risk, Prevention
Bipolar II disorder is when you have one or more episodes of depression that comes with at least one hypomanic episode. The hypomanic episode symptoms are similar to the manic episodes but are more mild. For some people the hypomanic episodes are not extreme enough to disrupt their lives but for others it can be very difficult to have a normal life.
Read more here on → Bipolar Disorder Type 2: Symptoms, Treatment, Risk, Prevention
Cyclothymic Disorder or Cyclothymia is when there is chronic mood fluctuating that will involve periods of time where there will be hypomania and depression. The times of these two symptoms will be short, less severe and they don’t happen at regular intervals like you would experience with Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2.
Read more here on → Cyclothymia (Cyclothymic Disorder): Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Risks
Bipolar I is the more severe form characterized by alternating depression and mania and may have additional symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions, whereas Bipolar II consists mainly of longer depressive episodes and hypomania which is a milder from of exhilaration.
There is also a much more dramatic type of bipolar disorder which is called mixed bipolar disorder, Mixed bipolar disorder is a combination of both manic and depressive symptoms. In other words, the patient experiences these two polar opposite moods at the same time.
Causes of Bipolar Disorder
The causes and factors causing the bipolar disorder vary with individuals and studies have accounted that both genetic and environmental factor is responsible for bipolar disorder. (These studies were twin studies and results are different in monozygotic twins and dizygotic twins. The rate of bipolar I according to the twin studies in monozygotic twins is about 40% constantly while the rate of same disorder in dizygotic twins is about 0-10%. The proportion of the occurrence of the bipolar disorder in next generation is about 0.71). There are three main factors which cause bipolar disorder and they are described below one by one:
Genetic:
Sometimes certain chromosomal sites and genes are observed which seems to be responsible for the growth of bipolar disorder but these results are not same all the time and keep on changing. This property of the genes to cause bipolar disorder does not replicate in all cases.
Heterogeneity is a law which states that different genes are responsible for bipolar disorder in different families. Genes related to serotonin, dopamine, glutamate and other cell growth hormones give constant results for the study.
Physiological:
There are certain circuits in brain which are necessary for normal body function and the abnormalities in these circuits can cause bipolar disorder. There is an increase reported in lateral ventricles, globus pallidus and the white matter called hyperintensities by the two Meta analyses MRI. The people who are genetically weak are more exposed to bipolar disorder and they easily become its victim. Bipolar disorder occurrence is expressed by sudden changes in the patient’s mood. The mood episode can start of its own. Due to stress an abnormality has been produced in the HPA axis which leads to bipolar disorder.
Depression is the poor neuron firing while mania is the hypersensitive neuron firing and both of them are caused by mitochondria and sodium ATPase pump. These are the causes of bipolar disorder type l but there are different causes for bipolar disorder type ll and those are circadian rhythms melatonin activity.
Environmental:
It has been proved experimentally that environmental factors not only induce bipolar disorder but also enhance its effect. Environmental factors are effective in those people who are genetically dispositional. Environmental factors shows consistent results and it has been seen that there are certain incidents in our daily routine life which cause induction and recurrence of different mood episodes and this is bipolar disorder. These environmental factors may be any event or any interpersonal relationships which can induce bipolar disorder. Mostly patient’s histories shows that they have bad abusive or traumatic experiences in their childhood or adolescence and this later on become the cause of bipolar disorder and it starts from an onset which gets severe and become worse to result in PTSD.
Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, drug intoxication, brief drug-induced psychosis, schizophreniform disorder and borderline personality disorder are some other mental disorders which may be mixed with bipolar disorder due to similar symptoms.
There are several pharmacological and psychotherapeutic techniques which are used for the treatment of bipolar disorder and the patients as well can help themselves for their recovery using personal recovery journey. For serious patients psychotherapy is used which alleviate the core symptoms, recognize episode triggers, reduce negative emotions in relationships and practicing such factors which lead the patient towards recovery. Cognitive behavioral therapy, family-focused therapy, psychoeducation, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy are considered to be most effective in bipolar disorders.
Medications of certain types are also used as the treatment of bipolar disorder like mood stabilizers such as lithium carbonate or lamotrigine. The former medication reduces the suicide feelings in bipolar patients while the latter is used to prevent depressions. In some severe cases depending upon the severity lithium based products or on their own can be used in combination.
Acute manic episodes can be treated using antipsychotic medications such as chlorpromazine and the atypical antipsychotics quetiapine, olanzapine, olanzapine and quetiapine. After reduction in symptoms by the use of medicines they should not be discontinued irregularly as relapse can occur.
50% cases of mania or mixed episodes get recovery within six weeks while 98% in two years. The rate of symptomatic recovery is 72% while that of functional recovery the rate is 43%. The disorder can occur again due to discontinuation of medication and if the patient is under- or over-medicated relapse can occur.
The mortality rate of bipolar disorder patients is very low as none of them has never attempted suicide. The annual average of suicides due to bipolar disorder in both males and females is 0.4%.
- Genetic
- Physiological
- Environmental
Genetic:
Sometimes certain chromosomal sites and genes are observed which seems to be responsible for the growth of bipolar disorder but these results are not same all the time and keep on changing. This property of the genes to cause bipolar disorder does not replicate in all cases.
Heterogeneity is a law which states that different genes are responsible for bipolar disorder in different families. Genes related to serotonin, dopamine, glutamate and other cell growth hormones give constant results for the study.
Physiological:
There are certain circuits in brain which are necessary for normal body function and the abnormalities in these circuits can cause bipolar disorder. There is an increase reported in lateral ventricles, globus pallidus and the white matter called hyperintensities by the two Meta analyses MRI. The people who are genetically weak are more exposed to bipolar disorder and they easily become its victim. Bipolar disorder occurrence is expressed by sudden changes in the patient’s mood. The mood episode can start of its own. Due to stress an abnormality has been produced in the HPA axis which leads to bipolar disorder.
Depression is the poor neuron firing while mania is the hypersensitive neuron firing and both of them are caused by mitochondria and sodium ATPase pump. These are the causes of bipolar disorder type l but there are different causes for bipolar disorder type ll and those are circadian rhythms melatonin activity.
Environmental:
It has been proved experimentally that environmental factors not only induce bipolar disorder but also enhance its effect. Environmental factors are effective in those people who are genetically dispositional. Environmental factors shows consistent results and it has been seen that there are certain incidents in our daily routine life which cause induction and recurrence of different mood episodes and this is bipolar disorder. These environmental factors may be any event or any interpersonal relationships which can induce bipolar disorder. Mostly patient’s histories shows that they have bad abusive or traumatic experiences in their childhood or adolescence and this later on become the cause of bipolar disorder and it starts from an onset which gets severe and become worse to result in PTSD.
How is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed
A bipolar disorder diagnosis is done by watching carefully for symptoms that can include the severity, length and frequency of the symptoms. The most common symptom is extreme mood swings that will not follow a set patter. These moods can range from extreme high to extreme low.
The doctor that you go to for a diagnosis, usually a psychiatrist will ask you lots of questions. The questions can include topics such as your personal and family history of mental illness, any bipolar symptoms you have been having and how long the symptoms will last and how often they happen. There will be other questions that they will ask and they will be more along the lines of your memory, your ability to express yourself and your ability to keep relationships with others.
Blood and urine tests like toxicology screening can be done to help rule out any other causes of the symptoms you are having. When you have this screening done, your blood, urine or hair will be tested for the presence of drugs. Blood tests will also include a check of your thyroid stimulating hormone level or TSH because depression can sometimes be linked to thyroid function.
After you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder you will need to work closely with your doctor to come up with a treatment that will help you control the type of bipolar disorder you have. It is important that you know whether you have Bipolar I, Bipolar II or another type of this disorder because your treatment will depend on what type you have.
Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder depends upon the patient’s experiences and secondarily on the psychiatrist, nurse, social worker, clinical psychologist or other clinician experiences. It depends on the presence and duration of the symptoms.Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, drug intoxication, brief drug-induced psychosis, schizophreniform disorder and borderline personality disorder are some other mental disorders which may be mixed with bipolar disorder due to similar symptoms.
There are several pharmacological and psychotherapeutic techniques which are used for the treatment of bipolar disorder and the patients as well can help themselves for their recovery using personal recovery journey. For serious patients psychotherapy is used which alleviate the core symptoms, recognize episode triggers, reduce negative emotions in relationships and practicing such factors which lead the patient towards recovery. Cognitive behavioral therapy, family-focused therapy, psychoeducation, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy are considered to be most effective in bipolar disorders.
Medications of certain types are also used as the treatment of bipolar disorder like mood stabilizers such as lithium carbonate or lamotrigine. The former medication reduces the suicide feelings in bipolar patients while the latter is used to prevent depressions. In some severe cases depending upon the severity lithium based products or on their own can be used in combination.
Acute manic episodes can be treated using antipsychotic medications such as chlorpromazine and the atypical antipsychotics quetiapine, olanzapine, olanzapine and quetiapine. After reduction in symptoms by the use of medicines they should not be discontinued irregularly as relapse can occur.
50% cases of mania or mixed episodes get recovery within six weeks while 98% in two years. The rate of symptomatic recovery is 72% while that of functional recovery the rate is 43%. The disorder can occur again due to discontinuation of medication and if the patient is under- or over-medicated relapse can occur.
The mortality rate of bipolar disorder patients is very low as none of them has never attempted suicide. The annual average of suicides due to bipolar disorder in both males and females is 0.4%.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment Options
There are several types of treatments for bipolar disorder which are described below one by one.1. Comprehensive treatment for bipolar disorder:
Comprehensive treatment is a type of treatment which includes all the aspects related to the disorder like symptoms, restoration of the abilities and fixation of the problems due to disorder and tries to diminish them. It include further following steps:
- Medication: The fundamental part of bipolar treatment is the use of certain medication as the mood stabilizing drugs can give a hand in reducing the peaks and valleys of the bipolar disorder and ultimately controls the symptoms of the disorder.
- Psychotherapy: Consulting a therapist and attending sessions with him is very important for a bipolar disorder because it helps the patient how to cope with the disorder and the problems in his/her life due to the disorder. These sessions can also help the patient to manage with the situations of difficulty and uncomfortableness which he can encounter due to the disorder. It also helps him/her to resolve their problems, restore their relationships and how to regulate the stress and mood fluctuations.
- Education: The best solution to emerge out of the problems and symptoms of the disorder is to know thoroughly about it. The more we know about the disease the more easily we can fight with it. So it is better that the patient and his/her relatives are thoroughly aware of the disorder so that they can avoid certain unhappy experiences due to the disorder.
- Life style management: Some certain changes in life style can change the symptoms of the disorder as well as the mood episodes and the changes included under this treatment are regular sleep schedule, saying no to alcohol and any kind of drugs, doing regular exercise session, keeping stress low and taking proper exposure of sunlight.
- Support: The most precious thing which gets you back to life from bipolar disorder is the support of your loved ones. The support of the friends and family is quite important for the patient. He/she can also join bipolar disorder groups where they can share their problems with those who are facing the same problem.
Read more: Living with Bipolar Disorder
In most people with severe kind of bipolar disorder medication is required to control their symptoms and to keep them normal and the use of the medications consistently can not only reduce the symptoms of the disorder and frequency of the mood episodes but also cease them sometimes.
Steps involved in medication treatment are:
- Regular sessions with the physician: In bipolar disorder it is necessary to check the levels of medications that either they are in therapeutic range or not by blood tests. In this disorder the most important thing is to manage the balancing dose and regular check-ups will also help to be safe and symptom free.
- Consistent use of medications: Don’t stop taking the medications just after feeling a little better until your physician tell you to do so because some people with bipolar disorder require long term medications otherwise the disorder can again come back.
- No extra expectations: Medications only minimize the symptoms of the disorder like that of mania and depression but it doesn’t nip the disorder in the bud. For that one has to change his/her lifestyle for best results and he/she should take therapy sessions also.
- Say NO to antidepressants: It has been proved by researches that antidepressants are not the treatment of bipolar disorder in fact they initiate mania or rapid transformations in depression and mania.
3. Therapy treatment:
Treatment by therapy has been one of the successful treatments for the patients of bipolar disorder and much more better, effective and faster results can be received from therapy treatment. There are three types of therapies done on the patients of bipolar disorder which are:
Some essential steps to think about if you or a loved one have bipolar disorder include:
1. Discover a psychological health professional you rely on. A person identified with bipolar disorder has to determine a relationship with a trusted psychological wellness expert where an open and also sincere exchange can happen.
2. Take medicine as prescribed. This is first and leading one of the most crucial step in taking control of bipolar disorder. It is the one element that needs to be strictly abided by. In order for drug to work effectively it needs to be taken continually and also for the long term. It could be appealing to stop taking drug as signs and symptoms minimize and also one begins sensation a lot better. However, this might have disastrous outcomes.
3. Decrease Stress. Mental health and wellness professionals typically think that improved stress could trigger an episode of manic depression. Finding time to unwind, sharing extra responsibilities, or merely speaking to a person during a taxing occasion could assist to cause an improved feeling of peace. (See: Ways to Cope with Stress)
4. Do not become remote. Do not try to “take care of” bipolar disorder alone. Seeking the comfort and understanding of friends and family is central to a person’s treatment. It can be really handy to sign up with a bipolar disorder support system because the people there recognize the feelings as well as difficulties of living with the ailment. They could provide insight and also encouragement to an individual facing a diagnosis.
5. Preserve a healthy way of living. It is essential to set up normal healthy and balanced programs such as working out the very same time everyday, going to sleep at the same time each night as well as getting up at the same time each early morning. Preserve a healthy and balanced diet and obtain lots of rest, because erratic sleep patterns could raise the signs of bipolar disorder. Do not utilize caffeine or leisure drugs.
6. End up being a professional on bipolar disorder. Become involved in understanding the signs and symptoms as well as therapy of bipolar disorder and also the impacts it can have on friends and family. Get in touch with a certified psychological health expert with questions as well as problems. Read books about the health problem or hear lectures by specialists. Learn as much concerning bipolar disorder as possible due to the fact that understanding is an effective device in securing the puzzle of the disease.
7. Improve life with pleasurable factors. Make it a priority to participate in things that cause feelings of joy, happiness, and accomplishment. Leisure activities or tasks that enhance a feeling of peace or relaxation serve one well in taking care of the complication of bipolar disorder.
A diagnosis of bipolar disorder does not need to mean the end of one’s area; rather it can be thought about a new beginning. One that, finally, gives a description and utmost relief from several of the inexplicable and destructive behaviors an individual could exhibit, releasing them to live abundant and also meeting lives.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy
- Family-focused therapy
Read also: How to Fix Bipolar Disorder Without Meds
Read also: Living with Bipolar Disorder
Tips to Take Control of Bipolar Disorder
Just like any sort of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart problem or epilepsy, correct treatment, management and also understanding of the health problem is essential. Most people with bipolar disorder can lead complete, productive and rewarding lives by taking crucial steps to manage as well as handle their health problem.Some essential steps to think about if you or a loved one have bipolar disorder include:
1. Discover a psychological health professional you rely on. A person identified with bipolar disorder has to determine a relationship with a trusted psychological wellness expert where an open and also sincere exchange can happen.
2. Take medicine as prescribed. This is first and leading one of the most crucial step in taking control of bipolar disorder. It is the one element that needs to be strictly abided by. In order for drug to work effectively it needs to be taken continually and also for the long term. It could be appealing to stop taking drug as signs and symptoms minimize and also one begins sensation a lot better. However, this might have disastrous outcomes.
3. Decrease Stress. Mental health and wellness professionals typically think that improved stress could trigger an episode of manic depression. Finding time to unwind, sharing extra responsibilities, or merely speaking to a person during a taxing occasion could assist to cause an improved feeling of peace. (See: Ways to Cope with Stress)
4. Do not become remote. Do not try to “take care of” bipolar disorder alone. Seeking the comfort and understanding of friends and family is central to a person’s treatment. It can be really handy to sign up with a bipolar disorder support system because the people there recognize the feelings as well as difficulties of living with the ailment. They could provide insight and also encouragement to an individual facing a diagnosis.
5. Preserve a healthy way of living. It is essential to set up normal healthy and balanced programs such as working out the very same time everyday, going to sleep at the same time each night as well as getting up at the same time each early morning. Preserve a healthy and balanced diet and obtain lots of rest, because erratic sleep patterns could raise the signs of bipolar disorder. Do not utilize caffeine or leisure drugs.
6. End up being a professional on bipolar disorder. Become involved in understanding the signs and symptoms as well as therapy of bipolar disorder and also the impacts it can have on friends and family. Get in touch with a certified psychological health expert with questions as well as problems. Read books about the health problem or hear lectures by specialists. Learn as much concerning bipolar disorder as possible due to the fact that understanding is an effective device in securing the puzzle of the disease.
7. Improve life with pleasurable factors. Make it a priority to participate in things that cause feelings of joy, happiness, and accomplishment. Leisure activities or tasks that enhance a feeling of peace or relaxation serve one well in taking care of the complication of bipolar disorder.
A diagnosis of bipolar disorder does not need to mean the end of one’s area; rather it can be thought about a new beginning. One that, finally, gives a description and utmost relief from several of the inexplicable and destructive behaviors an individual could exhibit, releasing them to live abundant and also meeting lives.
Bipolar Disorder in Children
Children suffering from bipolar disorder have unusual mood changes. Manic and depression are two terms which are linked with the mood of patient. When the mood of child is happy then it is called manic. When the mood is gloomy then it is called depression. These two conditions are not usual as the normal children become happy or sad. These kinds of children show their behavior of happiness and sadness at their peak. The situation can severe in many cases and the patient may decide to suicide. These children need an extra care and love. These children cannot do well in school and they cannot do their daily activities well.This disorder does not occur only in children but also in teens and adults. This is different for children in a sense that adults may not face the severity of it as it can be faced by the children. In children it is called early-onset bipolar disorder. This is more severe in a sense that children have to face this disorder at their early life of growth and development and it can be lasting.
Factors:
There are many factors that can be responsible for it -
- Genetic disorder can also be a cause of bipolar disorder.
- Tension can also cause this disorder.
- An infection in brain can cause malfunctioning of it.
Symptoms:
This disorder occurs in episodes. These episodes can be manic or depressive. In manic episodes child feels happy while it feels gloomy in depressive episodes. These episodes can be experienced for days or even for weeks. These episodes are severe. The situation is powerful and occurs with strange changes in moods and energy levels.
Children and elders that experience manic episodes may
- Have short temper.
- Speak many different things.
- Suffer from nervousness.
- Have problem while concentrating.
- Discuss sex frequently.
- Take part in dangerous things.
- Suffer from sadness.
- Experience stomach pain and headache.
- Slumber for a short time or too much.
- Take too much food or little.
- No focus on fun.
- Talk and think about death and suicide.
- There is a question which arises. Can a child have other disorders?
- They can involve in drinking or in drugs
- They cannot focus on one thing
- Sometimes they have hyperactivity.
- They do those things which can result in extreme results.
You need not to do any blood tests brain scans. The only thing that a doctor can ask is the behavior and sleeping pattern. But doctor can do some tests to see any other disease or disorder. He may ask about drinking, the family medical problems including nervousness and drinking.
Treatment
Medication can help to prevent symptoms. This is difficult for children because they have to take small amount of medicines. There is a difficulty to see which medicine suits them and how much dose should be given to them.
Different kinds of therapies can help to change the behavior of a child and he can make his daily activities better.
Environment also plays an important role in the behavior of such children. So parents, family and society can play a significant role in making the child behavior good.
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