What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mood condition not a
personality disorder as many people and bipolar jokes would have you believe. These mood swings result in
changes in behaviour and thinking. The high moods are called “mania” or
“hypomania” while the low moods can result in deep depression. Hence the old
name of “Manic Depression”.
In between the high moods and low moods people with
bipolar disorder experience periods of normal mood. For this reason bipolar it
isn’t a personality disorder because personality disorders are permanent, remain
present and inbuilt in to a person’s personality full time.
What is the cause of
Bipolar Disorder Syndrome?
The exact causes of bipolar disorder
syndrome aren't fully understood. Factors that can determine the
illness include: Genetic - Passed on in genes, Chemical -
issues with how a bipolar brain functions and releases/transmits serotonin and
dopamine and External Triggers - A bipolar episode can be
trigger in the event of crisis, stress or life’s pressures.
The symptoms and mental mood states of bipolar
disorder:
Bipolar is a mood disorder so moods are variable
and may people may seem unstable. Bipolar sufferers can experience shifts in
their moods quickly, while others can spend long periods in a certain mood
state.
The bipolar mood symptoms are:
Mania – Lots of energy
with little sleep or appetite, feelings of high euphoria, excitement and buzz,
feeling of greatness or inflated ego even super powers or delusions of
unrealistic abilities, rushing thoughts, lack of concentration, impulsive or
aggressive behaviour resulting in dangerous and risky acts, bipolar spending sprees and over spending on
unneeded junk, excessive drinking, increased sex drive, in severe case
hallucinations where they see, hear, smell or feel things that are not there,
boosted creativity.
Hypomania – A milder form of
mania with high energy levels, upbeat mood which may develop up to the mania
level.
Normal – Moods and
judgements are balanced and in check with reality. Between the bipolar mood
states of "mania" and "depression" there are stable periods
of normalcy.
Depression – Feeling sad,
alone and hopeless, loss of interest in things you usually enjoy, feeling tired
with no energy, trouble sleeping or oversleeping, changes in eating habits and
appetite, guilt and paranoia, lack of purpose and motivation, feeling
worthless, a failure or waste of space, self loathing and self blame,
self harm and suicidal thoughts or acts.
Mixed episode – mania and
depression experienced close together.
Am I Bipolar? Can I take
a Test for Manic Depression?
Bipolar mood swings affect sufferers’ lives and
cause serious discomfort, distress and may even lead to self harm and suicide.
Manic episodes aren’t simply a case of “riding high” and feeling “good”. And
depressive episodes aren’t just feeling “down” or “sad”. Mood episodes must
meet certain minimum time requirements and medical criteria to aid diagnosis of
bipolar:
Mania – Seven Days
Hypomania – Four Days
Depression – Two Weeks
If you think you’re bipolar you can take several
online bipolar tests or discuss further with your doctor. The moods
episodes and mood intensity will vary depending on the type or level of the
bipolar disorder.
What are the different types of bipolar?
There are four types of bipolar disorder Bipolar I,
Bipolar II, Cyclothymia, Rapid-Cycling and Mixed Bipolar.
What is Bipolar Disorder 1?
Type 1 Bipolar – severe and heavy mood episodes of
varying lengths from mania to depression.
What is Bipolar Disorder 2?
Type 2 Bipolar – milder or less severe manic called
hypomania moods but with serious depression moods like with bipolar type I
What is Cyclothymia?
Cyclothymia – a milder form of bipolar which
includes briefer episodes of hypomania and mild depression.
What is Mixed Bipolar?
Mixed Bipolar – Manic and Depressive episodes occur
together prompting quick changes in thinking and mood. Feeling angry, hopeless,
sad but with motivated energy.
What is Rapid Cycling Bipolar?
Rapid cycling bipolar – Regular episodes of four or
more bouts of mania, depression or both experienced in one year.
Bipolar Treatments: The
Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
People with bipolar can and do live normal lives.
Medication, therapy and support are available to minimise and stop your mood
swings disrupting your life, career and relationships. Proactive treatment and
mood stabilisers will help you in depressive and mania states preventing less
frequent episodes and reduce hospital visits.
The type of bipolar treatment will depend on the
type and severity of an episode. The priority with treatment is to stabilise
the condition and to prevent self harm or harm to others. If you are self
harming as a way to cope with your overwhelming emotional issues then please
don’t torture yourself.
Some Bipolar medications include:
Lithium, Valproate, chlorpromazine ,
lorazepam , Carbamazepine, quetiapine and lamotrigine
Any drugs and medication prescribed will help
stabilise your mood swings. Antidepressants may not always be given out solely
because they can induce mania states in some patients.
ECT or Electroconvulsive therapy, also known as
electric shock therapy, is used in severe depression cases. ECT is seen as
cruel and evil like something out of Frankenstein but the treatment does work
for some people.
IMPORTANT: Seek help and professional advice should
you experience any of the symptoms or are feeling suicidal. For carers it’s
important to watch sufferers in case they withdraw from social interaction and
go in to isolation intending to self harm.
Contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647
Visit your nearest Accident and Emergency
department
