Bipolar Disorder

What is it?

It is estimated that 1 to 5 percent of the population is afflicted with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder has also been called manic-depressive disorder because of the extreme highs (mania) and lows (depression) in mood that persons with the illness experience. On average, people with bipolar disorder see 3-4 doctors, and spend over 8 years seeking treatment, before receiving an accurate diagnosis. Bipolar disorder is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Bipolar disorder is a mood idsorder, in which a person has mood swings that are greatly exaggerated from severe depression to extreme mania. Although everyone experiences mood swings from time to time, people afflicted with severe mood disorders (such as people with bipolar disorder) are affected by their moods in just about every aspect of their life.

Characteristics:

Bipolar disorder can destroy hopes and dreams, tear apart families, and claim the lives of those with the disease. The times of mania bring unrest, creativity, and exhilaration; however, with the enlightenment, manias can bring madness, irrational thoughts and actions, and/or uncontrollable rage. A person in a manic state can sometimes go for extended periods of time without nourishment or sleep. This can be very destructive to the person’s physical health, but can also precipitate psychosis and/or delusion. A person who is experiencing mania has difficulty seeing the world as it really is because they are so elated that everything seems perfect. This distorted reality can cause the person to do things that are detrimental to their lives such as incur extensive credit card debt from impulsive shopping sprees, take vacations or extended trips without notice, or drive recklessly, with little or no thought to consequences. Symptoms of mania include feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism, inflated self-esteem, rapid speech, racing thoughts, agitation, increased activity, difficulty sleeping, easily distracted and extreme irritability.

In contrast to mania, the depression experienced by those suffering from bipolar disorder can bring lasting despair and thoughts of suicide. This depression can cause a loss of all hope for the future and claim lives through suicide. Depression is usually characterized by a loss of interest in social activities that once brought enjoyment, loss of appetite, sudden weight loss or gain, loss of concentration, irritability, insomnia or excessive sleep, decreased sex drive, and lack of attention to hygiene. Compared to the extroverted personality that is generally characteristic of a person with bipolar disorder, depression brings on a seemingly introverted persona. While they are in a depressive state, most people with bipolar disorder wish they could get back to “normal” which they identify with their more productive manic self. Symptoms of depression include persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guild, hopelessness, recurring thoughts of suicide, fatigue, loss of interest in daily activities, difficulty concentrating and disturbances in sleep and appetite.

Treatment:

Treatment is focused on ceasing the current manic, hypomanic and depressed or mixed episodes. Medication is usually necessary for the rest of one’s life to prevent future episodes. Earlier diagnosis, proper treatment and finding the most beneficial medications can help people avoid downfalls such as alcohol/substance abuse, marital and/or work problems and/or treatment difficulties. Common medications used in the treatment of bipolar disorder are mood stabilizers and antidepressants. Other medications may also be prescribed to alleviate symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, restlessness.

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