manic-depression-bipolar-disorder
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Understanding Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression) =================================================
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition involving alternating periods of depression, mania, or hypomania. There are a few different types, each involving different cycles of symptoms.
Bipolar disorder, previously called manic depression, is a mental health condition that involves fluctuations in thinking, mood, and behavior. If you have bipolar disorder, you may experience periods of depression or mania.
There are different types of bipolar disorder, and it affects everyone differently. The main types are bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder.
Bipolar I involves depression and mania, an extremely high mood. Bipolar II is more likely to involve depression and hypomania. Hypomania is similar to mania but less extreme.
For some people, depression is the dominant mood. Some people find they often fluctuate between high and low moods or have long periods when their moods are stable.
For a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, a person will experience mania at some point. People who receive a diagnosis of bipolar II will have at least one episode of hypomania.
What causes bipolar disorder?
Experts do not know exactly why bipolar disorder happens, but it probably
a combination of factors.
Features relating to specific areas of the brain may play a role, as well as the action and regulation of chemicals such as neurotransmitters and hormones.
People with certain genetic factors may have a higher chance of developing bipolar disorder, and it appears to be more common in those who have a close relative with the disorder.
In some cases, a stressful life event can trigger a person’s first episode of bipolar disorder. This usually happens if the person already has a genetic predisposition or other features that make it more likely.
Bipolar depression may be more likely if a person has another mental health condition, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or traits of borderline personality disorder (BPD).
What age is bipolar disorder usually diagnosed?
Bipolar disorder usually appears during adolescence or early adulthood, but it can occur at any age, including childhood.
Some statistics show that, on average, it starts between ages
. Other research suggests it’s more likely to occur after the age of 25. One large study found evidence that higher numbers of first episodes appear in people ages 15 to 24 and in those ages 45 to 54.
Global statistics suggest bipolar I disorder affects around 1 percent of the general population, but the numbers may be higher. A survey looking at data from 11 countries found that bipolar II disorder could affect 0.4 percent of the general population.
Bipolar and depression symptoms
The symptoms of bipolar disorder include changes in mood and:
People with bipolar disorder often experience extreme highs and lows in their moods. The mood changes caused by bipolar disorder are very different from the highs and lows that are familiar to most people.
Bipolar disorder can affect work, studies, and relationships. In some cases, it can be life threatening, as there is a
of suicide and harmful behavior than in the general population.
Symptoms of a depressive mood episode may
:
In some cases, a person with bipolar disorder may experience catatonia. This is a very severe form of depression. A person may be unable to get up, speak, carry out simple tasks, or even move.
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. somali name meanings You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Signs of mania
A person with bipolar disorder can also experience manic or hypomanic episodes.
Symptoms of mania may include:
Signs of hypomania
Hypomania involves symptoms similar to mania but less severe. The biggest difference between the two is that symptoms of hypomania have a less significant effect on your life and your ability to work, study, and carry out daily tasks.
In addition, for a diagnosis of mania for bipolar I, the episode must last at least
. For a diagnosis of bipolar II hypomania, an episode must last at least 4 days.
Manic episodes can involve psychosis and may lead to hospitalization, but this does not occur with hypomania.
Mixed moods
Some people with bipolar disorder experience “mixed mood states” in which depressive and manic symptoms coexist. In a mixed state, a person will often have symptoms that include:
People may feel energized while experiencing the above symptoms.
Types of bipolar disorder
There are
diagnoses of bipolar disorder, depending on how the features and symptoms appear.
Bipolar I features manic episodes that last at least 1 week or are so severe that the person needs urgent hospital care. Depressive episodes can also occur, usually lasting at least 2 weeks.
The symptoms of both depression and mania must indicate a shift in the person’s behavior or mood. There should also be no other reasons that can explain the extreme changes in mood, such as drug use or a hormone imbalance.
A doctor may also diagnose bipolar I disorder if a person’s past behavior includes symptoms that meet the criteria or if a person has previously had an episode that meets the criteria.
A person with bipolar II disorder can experience depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes. A hypomanic episode involves a high mood that lasts at least
, but the manic symptoms will be less severe than in bipolar I.
Cyclothymic disorder is another type of bipolar disorder. With cyclothymic disorder, a person will have periods of depression and hypomanic symptoms that don’t meet full criteria for a major depressive episode or hypomania. These symptoms must last at least 2 years for adults or 1 year in children and adolescents.
A person with rapid cycling bipolar disorder will have
episodes of depression or mania within one year.
If a person experiences some features of bipolar disorder but does not meet the criteria for a specific type, the doctor may diagnose their condition as “other specified and unspecified bipolar and related disorders.” basque given name etymology
How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?
Bipolar disorder usually appears during the teenage years or early adulthood, but it can start at any age, including childhood.
Most people are more likely to seek help from a doctor when they’re experiencing depression rather than a high mood. However, if a loved one notices an unusually high mood, they may encourage them to see a doctor.
To initially assess the person’s mood, a doctor may
:
The doctor will also:
People with bipolar disorder are
to receive a diagnosis for various other conditions, including:
It can take time to get a correct diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Doctors
it as either depression or attribute it to another condition the person may have, such as drug use. This can lead to inappropriate treatment.
How is bipolar disorder treated?
There is currently no cure for bipolar disorder. However, treatment is available.
Bipolar disorder is a long-term condition that will need lifelong management. Treatment aims to prevent relapses of high or low episodes and maximize a person’s quality of life and ability to function.
Treatment usually includes both medication and talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). scots name meanings
The first-line treatment for bipolar disorder is medications. Drugs for treating bipolar disorders
:
Drug treatment for bipolar depression is different from treatment for other types of depression, as some antidepressant drugs can trigger a manic episode in some people. The person may need to use a mood stabilizer as part of their treatment for depression.
Counseling can help people manage bipolar disorder. Here are some examples:
Electroconvulsive therapy can help manage some severe cases of bipolar disorder. A doctor may recommend it for someone who is spending time in the hospital due to severe or life threatening mania or depression. They may also recommend it if other treatments have not helped.
Outlook
Bipolar disorder is a treatable condition, but it is a lifelong condition. Research suggests that
of people with bipolar I disorder who have their first episode experience another within 2 years.
It is essential to work with a doctor to reach a correct diagnosis and establish a treatment plan. Over time, it may be necessary for a doctor to monitor the person’s progress and adjust their treatment plan. manx name meanings For example, it may be necessary to manage any side effects of drugs or address any changes in mood patterns over the person’s lifespan.
There is a risk that a person with bipolar disorder will consider or attempt suicide, or that they may harm themselves or others due to impulsive behavior. Family, friends, and others in the community can provide essential support.
Experts suggest that bipolar disorder can be
to manage if:
Summary
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental health condition that involves episodes of high and low moods. There are different types, and each type can affect people in different ways.
A person who is experiencing a high or manic mood may feel high and as if they’re all-powerful. A person with hypomania will have similar symptoms, but they will be less severe. Depression is also common with bipolar disorder.
It’s essential to get a correct diagnosis for bipolar disorder, but this can take time. A person is more likely to see a doctor with depression, and it can be hard to know if mood changes and other symptoms are part of another disorder.
If you think you or a loved one has bipolar disorder, you can help a doctor reach a correct diagnosis by providing as much information as possible about the person’s family history, what they’re experiencing now, and any unusual mood changes in the past.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
While you wait for help to arrive, stay with someone and remove any weapons or substances that can cause harm. You are not alone.
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