Bipolar Disorder

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, earlier referred to as manic depressive illness, is a brave psychiatric disorder that is characterized by episodes of mania or hypomania and depressive episodes. These changes may impact energy, movement, sleeping, behavior, and perception of the surroundings and people around. That is why bipolar disorder is not about short mood variations; its patients experience qualitative changes in their daily lives.

What are the Types of Bipolar Disorder?

The Types of Bipolar Disorder have several categories, each defined by the pattern and intensity of mood episodes.

Bipolar I Disorder

This type involves a cyclic hostility of at least seven days or the severity of the manic symptoms makes it necessary for the patient to be hospitalized. Major depression commonly runs for a minimum of two weeks. There are also combined ones in which the patient manifests both manic and depressive episodes.

Bipolar II Disorder

This type is characterized by episodes of depression and hypomania, the latter being not as severe as mania since its effects do not interfere with the person’s activities as intensively as it does in the case of mania.

Cyclothymic Disorder

It includes one or more hypomanic episodes combined with at least two major depressive episodes, which should last for one year for children and adolescents and at least two years for adults. The symptoms are not as severe as bipolar 1 or 2 disorder but are moderate enough that interfere with a person’s functioning.

Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorders

The following are symptoms of bipolar disorder that do not fall under any of the identified categories other than the three mentioned above. The symptoms of other Bipolar disorder include: It can include cases where the switching between moods is very distinct or cases where one cannot sustain the particular mood for a relatively extended period.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

The symptoms of bipolar disorder vary according to the severity of the extent of cognitive-mood contribution of the first kind of bipolar disorder and the kind of experience involved. In general, the symptoms are divided into two categories: the manic/hypomanic symptoms and the depressive disorder.

• Elevated Mood – A state that will see the affected person exhibit higher than normal energy levels, activity, and excitement.
• Increased Activity – Speaking too much or in a high tone, inability to remain focused and discuss a particular issue for too long, or one’s tendency to jump from one subject to the other.
• Reduced Need for Sleep – Feeling like a new lively daisy after a few hours of drifting off to sleep.
• Impulsivity – Forgetting the fact that we are dealing with possible consequences such as buying things without giving them much thought, engaging in illicit affairs, reckless driving, and many more behavioral outcomes.
• Depressed Mood – Feeling low and sad for long hours and days, feeling helpless and having no purpose for living.
• Loss of Interest – Abandonment of most or all previously enjoyed activities, spontaneous or initiated by the other person.
• Fatigue – Some form of tiredness or weakness which in a layman’s meaning can be interpreted to be a state of powerlessness or exhausted power.
• Sleep Disturbances – This includes diseases that stem from a lack of continuity of sleep which for instance taking long stretches of sleep or on the other extreme sleeping for a few hours. Concentration Issues: Difficulty in concentrating or in making a judgment.

Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar is a diagnosed disorder that is assessed by a mental health specialist.

• Physical Examination – To ensure other diseases are not responsible for the symptoms being presented.
• Psychiatric Assessment – Specific questions relating to both current and past thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and history of mood episodes.
• Mood Charting – Taking notes every day to analyze the changes in mood, sleep quality, etc.

What causes bipolar disorder?

The exact cause of bipolar disorder is not known, but several factors may contribute:

• Genetics – This is a hereditary disease, which is most often caused by genetic factors. There is some degree of inherited basis, however, the specific genes have not been identified up to date.
• Biological Differences – This is because those with bipolar disorder seem to display alterations in the body structure of the brain. Whether these shifts are important or not is something that is yet to be determined.
• Neurochemical Imbalance – This may be due to chemical reactions where one or many substances found in the brain, which are responsible for passing signals, are not in the right proportion.
• Environmental Factors – It may be due to stress, physical or verbal abuse, major loss, or any other trauma, solid or great, large or small.

Living with Bipolar Disorder

Living with bipolar disorder requires managing symptoms, following treatment plans, and making lifestyle adjustments:

Routine

Fluctuations in moods can be prevented by taking and following a balanced daily schedule.

Medication Adherence

Medication adherence is vital to effectively ensure that the symptoms mentioned earlier are well addressed.

Therapy

Individual or group therapy helps control the symptoms and get some advice for managing the situation better.

Support System

One can get emotional support from friends, family, and people in their peer brackets, in addition to constructing a network.

Self-care

Hygiene is another practice consisting of exercise, taking proper meals, and other aspects like stress management.