Pravesh Charan Isai
Introduction: Bipolar Disorder
A Bipolar Disorder is a type of Mental Illness that results in the drastic change in the mood, energy and thinking capacity of a person. A person with Bipolar Disorder typically experiences high and low moods which are referred to as Mania and Depression, which varies from other’s people ups and downs.
The average onset of developing Bipolar Disorder is 24-26, stating the general truth. But even in youth or even in childhood stages it can happen as well. The condition affects men & women equally with almost about 2.8% of the U.S. population that is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and nearly 83% of the cases are classified as severe.
If it is not treated then it might lead to a severe case. But with a good treatment plan that can be either psychotherapy, medications, a healthy lifestyle, a regular schedule and early identification of symptoms, most of the people live well with the conditions.
Anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Drug Use Disorders/Dual Diagnosis are other associated conditions in which Bipolar Disorder can also occur.
Causes & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
In general, the variation can be seen when it comes to symptoms and severity in bipolar disorder. A person from bipolar disorder can experience either distinct manic or depressed states. If not taking this psychological deficit seriously it may also lead to psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions.
Sometimes, these psychotic symptoms portray himself/herself a person extremes mood. Moreover, individual who have bipolar disorder who have psychotic symptoms can be wrongly diagnosed as having schizophrenia.
The main symptoms which the person can be diagnosed with having bipolar disorder are: –
Mania
When an individual is diagnosed with manic depression, he/she may need to experience a minimum of one episode of mania or one episode of hypomania. Hypomania may be a mood state that’s usually characterized by persistent disinhibition and euphoria (mood elevation) with behavior that’s noticeably different from the person’s typical behavior when during a non-depressed state.
People with hypomania can often function well in social situations or at work. Some people with manic depression will have episodes of mania or hypomania repeatedly throughout their life; others may experience them only rarely.
Although someone with bipolar may find an elevated mood of mania appealing especially if it occurs after depression the “high” doesn’t stop at a cushy or controllable level. Moods can rapidly become more irritable; the behavior was more unpredictable and judgment more impaired.
During times of mania, people frequently behave impulsively, make reckless decisions and take unusual risks. Most of the time, people in manic states are unaware of the negative consequences of their actions. With manic depression, suicide is an ever-present danger because some people become suicidal even in manic states.
Learning from prior episodes what sorts of behavior signals red flags of manic behavior can help manage the symptoms of the illness.
Hypomania
The depressive symptoms that obstruct a person’s ability to function must be present nearly a day for a minimum of a fortnight for a diagnosis. Depression related to manic depression could also be harder to treat and need a customized treatment plan.
When people are depressed, even minor decisions like what to eat for dinner are often overwhelming. They may become hooked into feelings of loss, personal failure, guilt or helplessness; this negative thinking can cause thoughts of suicide.
Here are some of the causes of bipolar disorder. As if for now, it is believed that contributes to bipolar disorder. They are as follows: –
- Brain Structure & Function – Through brain scanning, it is not possible to diagnose bipolar disorder. Although few of the studies have found that there is a subtle difference in the average size or activation of some brain structures in people with bipolar disorder.
- Genetic Factor – The chances of developing manic depression are increased if a child’s parents or siblings have the disorder. But the role of genetics isn’t absolute, as a toddler from a family with a history of manic depression never develops an equivalent. Even from the study of identical twins, it was found that if one of the twins develops bipolar disorder the other might not. Although the criteria of “aggression” can be taken into consideration when it comes to contributing to the genetic factor in the identical twins.
- Stress – A stressful event like death within the family, an illness, a difficult relationship, divorce or financial problems can trigger a manic or depressive episode. Thus, a person’s handling of stress can also play a task within the development of the illness.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
- Bipolar I Disorder – When an individual experiences one or more episodes of mania then the individual is said to be diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder. The individual with Bipolar I Disorder will have episodes of both Mania and depression, although the episode of depression is not necessary for diagnosis.
- Bipolar II Disorder – The subset of Bipolar disorder which people experiences depressive episodes of shifting back and forth with hypomanic episodes.
- Cyclothymic Disorder or Cyclothymia – This type of Bipolar Disorder is chronically unstable. The mood state of a person experiences hypomania and mild depression. If it gets severe it may last for almost for two years.
Diagnostic Aspects & Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
Previously mentioned, bipolar disorder can be diagnosed with a blood test or brain scan. To diagnose bipolar disorder, a doctor may perform a physical examination, conduct interview and other psychological tests.
These tests can help rule out other illnesses which will resemble the disorder, like hyperthyroidism. If no other illnesses (or medicines like steroids) are causing the symptoms, the doctor may recommend psychological state care. The only criteria when an individual is diagnosed with bipolar disorder when he/she have experienced at least one episode of mania or hypomania.
Mental health care professionals use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to diagnose the “type” of manic depression an individual could also be experiencing. To determine what sort of manic depression an individual has, psychological state care professionals assess the pattern of symptoms and the way impaired the person is during their most severe episodes.
Now talk about Treatment of Bipolar Disorder it can be managed in several other ways: –
- Self-Management Strategy like education & recognition of episodes is the early phase/symptoms of Bipolar Disorder.
- Complementary Health Approaches such as aerobic exercise, meditation, faith and prayer can support as well.
- Psychotherapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Focused Therapy.
- Medications like mood stabilizers, antipsychotic medications, to a lesser extent, and antidepressants.
Conclusion
Hence, bipolar disorder is one such aspect of psychological deficit that cannot be neglected. As it is a serious concern there are certain treatment, therapy and strategies which helps the individual to cope up with this psychological deficit.
People who have manic depression can have periods during which they feel overly happy and energized and other periods of feeling very sad, hopeless, and sluggish. In between those periods, they usually feel normal. You can consider the highs and therefore the lows as two “poles” of mood.
