What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder, sometimes known as manic depression, is characterized
by extreme mood swings. The sufferer experiences feelings of
sadness and hopelessness (depression) as well as feelings of
irritability or huge elation (mania). In between, they also
have periods of normal mood.
In addition to being distressing for the person affected,
bipolar disorder usually affects their family, work and social
life. The frequency and severity of the mood swings varies
from person to person. The disorder often makes it impossible
to function properly in every day activities.
The National Institute of Mental Health reports that there
are two main forms of bipolar disorder:
- Bipolar I disorder - the classic form of the illness,
which involves recurrent episodes of mania and depression
- Bipolar II disorder - the sufferer experiences milder
episodes of hypomania that alternate with depression (they
do not experience severe mania)
When a sufferer experiences four or more episodes within a 12-month
period, they are said to have a rapid-cycling bipolar disorder.
Rapid-cycling tends to develop later in the illness and is more
common among women than men.
Bipolar disorder typically manifests itself in adolescence
or early adulthood and can continue throughout an individual's
life. It is not always initially recognized as a serious disorder
and people can suffer for years before a proper diagnosis
is made.
Children with bipolar disorder tend to experience a higher
frequency of mood changes (mania to depression) than adults.
For example, they may have multiple "highs" and
"lows" each day rather than more clearly defined
periods of mania and depression that many adults experience.
Studies suggest that bipolar disorder is more likely to affect
the children of parents who have the illness.
Severe episodes of mania or depression can sometimes include
symptoms of psychosis. Common psychotic symptoms are hallucinations
(hearing, seeing, or otherwise sensing the presence of things
not actually there) and delusions (false, strongly held beliefs
not influenced by logical reasoning or explained by a person's
usual cultural concepts). Psychotic symptoms in bipolar disorder
tend to reflect the extreme mood state at the time. For example,
delusions of grandiosity, such as believing one is the President
or has special powers or wealth, may occur during mania; delusions
of guilt or worthlessness, such as believing that one is ruined
and penniless or has committed some terrible crime, may appear
during depression. People with bipolar disorder who have these
symptoms are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as having schizophrenia
(National Institute of Mental Health).
Facts and statistics
According to Mental Help Net, it is estimated that
bipolar disorder affects up to 2 million Americans at any
one time.
Approximately 1% of the U.S. population aged 18 or older have
bipolar disorder in any one given year (National Institute
of Mental Health). |
 |
Symptoms of a manic episode
According to the National Institute of Mental Health,
manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three
or more of the following symptoms most of the day, nearly every
day, for one week or longer (if the mood is irritable, four
additional symptoms must be present):
- Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
- Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
- Extreme irritability
- Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one
idea to another
- Distractibility, can't concentrate well
- Little sleep needed
- Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
- Poor judgment
- Spending sprees
- A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
- Increased sexual drive
- Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping
medications
- Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
- Denial that anything is wrong
Symptoms of a depressive episode
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a depressive
episode is diagnosed if five or more of the following symptoms
last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of two
weeks or longer:
- Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed,
including sex
- Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed
down"
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
- Restlessness or irritability
- Sleeping too much, or can't sleep
- Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
- Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that
are not caused by physical illness or injury
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
Recovery and treatment prognosis
Fortunately, much is now known about the causes and treatment
of bipolar disorder. The best form of treatment involves a
combination of both medication and psychotherapy, because
is it known that there are biological and psychological components
to every bipolar disorder. With proper treatment, there is
no reason why someone with bipolar disorder can not go on
to lead a normal life. |
