Bipolar Disorder
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar Disorder, earlier known as Manic-Depressive Disorder, is a mental disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. People with Bipolar Disorder experience unusually intense emotional states or “mood episodes.”
Bipolar Disorder which makes a person suffer from very serious mood changes, can last from a few weeks to months and even beyond that. Approximately 1 person in every 100 adults will suffer from Bipolar Disorder at some point of time in their lives. The first episode may begin when a person is as young as 15 to 20 years old and very rarely begins after a person reaches the age of 40. Both genders are equally predisposed to develop this mental illness.
In Bipolar Disorder, an overly joyful or overexcited state is called a Manic episode, and an extremely sad or hopeless state is called a Depressive episode. Sometimes the person may experience frequent episodes of Depression and Mania in quick succession, at least 4 episodes in a year. This is called Rapid Cycling.
What causes Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar Disorder can be hereditary and run in families. It has more to do with the genetic makeup of the patient than how a child is brought up.
Hormonal imbalances might trigger or cause Bipolar Disorder. A part of the brain that controls our moods may be dysfunctional and can be a reason why people suffer from Bipolar Disorder.
Abuse, mental stress, or some other traumatic event may contribute to or trigger Bipolar Disorder.
What are the two emotional states that characterize Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar Disorder is characterized by two extreme emotional states. Depending on the direction in which the mood swing progresses, a person can either feel depressed, excited or may even experience psychotic symptoms, also called Mania.
We all experience feeling low or some amount of Depression once in a while. Small periods of Depression are manageable but when it becomes serious and turns into a Bipolar Disorder, then the person will not only feel very low and depressed, but also experience the feelings more intensely for a longer time and may find it impossible to cope with his/her daily life.
In Mania, the person feels like he/she is on top of the world and feel very energized as well as optimistic. These feelings are strong enough to change his/her judgment as well as thoughts. They can make him/her have strange grand thoughts about himself/herself and can affect decision- making. Also, he/she may start behaving in a manner that is embarrassing or harmful, or is otherwise dangerous. Mania makes it almost impossible for the person to carry on with his/her daily routine. It may harm relationships as well as work, sometimes permanently.
What are the signs of Depression in Bipolar Disorder?
If 5-6 of these signs of Depression are present for at least 2 weeks continuously, they may indicate an abnormal mood swing on the downward side:
- sadness, crying frequently
- withdrawal from activities
- suicidal thoughts
- reduced emotional response
- disturbed sleep especially in mornings
- poor appetite
- feelings of worthlessness
- general tiredness
- restlessness
- lack of interest
- blaming self for problems
- preoccupied with guilt
- low energy
- slowed mental functions
What are the signs of Mania in Bipolar Disorder?
If 5-6 of the following signs signs of Manic excitement are present for at least 2 weeks continuously, they may indicate an abnormal mood swing on the upward side:
- feeling high, everything around seems wonderful
- fast flow of ideas
- talks too much, too loud
- insensitive to other people
- distracted easily, jumps from topic to topic
- highly energetic and active
- easily irritated
- feeling one is great or special
- feels that they don’t need sleep; sleeps less
- spending money excessively
- shedding their inhibitions
- impatient and interfering
- not understanding that he or she is behaving differently
- lack of self-criticism
How is Bipolar Disorder treated?
Only a qualified medical doctor can prescribe treatment. Following are very useful for the treatment of Bipolar Disorder:
- Family support and education
- Medication
- Counselling/Psychotherapy
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
- Lifestyle modifications
- Eat a nutritious and balanced diet
- Drink liquids frequently
- Avoid caffeine, tobacco and alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, whiskey, rum, vodka, tequila, or marijuana, etc.)
Medication in the form of mood-stabilizers and/or other medications prescribed by the psychiatrist/doctor should be taken regularly till required.
Psychological treatments can be an additional approach in dealing with episodes of either Mania or Depression. These treatments normally include:
- Being educated about why Bipolar Disorder occurs
- Monitoring mood- keeping a mood diary will enable to track mood swings and vulnerable periods
- Developing general and specific coping skills that can help the person manage his/her condition better
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) strategies which will not only change one’s attitude and behaviors related to the illness better, but which will also prevent another episode from occurring
- Family counseling to help the family members understand the nature and course of Bipolar Disorder better and develop supportive attitudes towards the patient
