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Bipolar Disease
Bipolar disease is also known as mood disorder, affective disorder or manic depression. It is a psychiatric disorder characterized by extreme mood swings or episodes of mania and depression.
Mania is an extreme mood episode characterized by fast thinking/idea, elation, little or no need for sleep and pretentious thoughts and behavior.
Other characteristic behaviors of mania:
limitless energy
extravagant, pretentious thoughts
feeling of importance and having (super-human) powers
fearless, irrational behavior
fast thinking or fast flowing of ideas
speaking rapidly
have difficulty focusing/concentrating
impulsive spending/shopping sprees
long sleepless periods
substance or alcohol abuse
poor judgment that can lead to risky behaviors
lack of self-control
Depression is characterized by feelings of hopelessness, low energy levels and lack of interest in ones daily routine. There is a tendency for the individual to become suicidal. Extreme depression can switch into mania with episodes of euphoria, exhaustion, aggression and having feelings of being super-human or powerful.
Other characteristic behaviors of depression:
feelings of intense loneliness or sadness
low self-confidence
lack of interest towards work, family, sex and usual interests
insomnia or excessive sleeping
difficulty concentrating or focusing
feelings of uselessness or worthlessness
thoughts of dying or contemplating suicide
changes in appetite
unexplained aches/pains
Manic behavior may be expressed by making sudden or impulsive decisions that are irrational and illogical such as quitting ones job without reason and going to Hollywood for a movie career even if the individual has no acting experience. Another example is running for U.S. president even without any political know-how. Impulsive and immense shopping spree to the point of maxing out every credit card may also be exhibited by an individual with bipolar disease at manic phase.
A milder phase of bipolar disease episodes is hypomania. It is a milder form of mania and it can affect both women and men. It is also observed that hypomania can occur to people who are aged 25 to 44.
Causes of bipolar disease
Bipolar disease has no known causes. But scientists and medical practitioners are searching for possible triggering factors that can influence the occurrence of the three characteristic symptoms.
A chemical imbalance in the brain is thought to have some triggering effects on moods. Some studies show that patients with extreme mood swings have different brain activities during these episodes.
Genetics is also being pointed out as one of the major culprits in bipolar disease symptoms. Studies of individuals with family histories of bipolar disease are more likely to be inflicted with the condition. Scientists are searching for the genes that are directly linked to bipolar disease.
Environmental and sociological influences are also being looked into as triggering factors of bipolar symptoms. Bad relationships, frustrating experiences and bad habits may play significant roles in the mood switches of the bipolar individual.
Treatment for bipolar disease
Bipolar disease can be treated; however, the treatments are geared towards stabilization of moods and restoration of the individual's normal state.
Lithium and Depakote are two most common medications that are used to treat mood swings. As always, medications are given under the supervision and prescription of a psychiatrist.
Apart from medications, psychotherapy can be included in the treatment plan. Most psychiatrists use psychotherapy extensively to alleviate the mood swings in episodes of depression and mania.
Depression can be treated with antidepressants such as Prozac, Effexor, Paxil, Zoloft and Wellbutrin. Psychotherapy is also advisable as mentioned above.
For acute episodes of mania, Haldol and Clonazepam are most recommended medications. For chronic episodes there's Depakote, Lithium and Tegretol.
Bipolar disease can be treated with a combination of therapy and medications. Even though treatment is usually long-term, it can alleviate the symptoms and give the individual a more quality life minus the implications of the behaviors associated with the condition.
