Bipolarism is a mental health condition that affects millions of people every day. The condition goes by several other names, including bipolar disorder and manic depressive disorder. People who suffer with this illness may have a variety of mood disorders. Fortunately, there is help for those with bipolar disorder through medications and psychiatric treatment.
Types of Bipolarism
Bipolarism divides into two types: bipolar 1 and bipolar 2. Although they are closely related in the symptoms, they each affect people in different ways. Bipolar 1 presents serious symptoms of psychotic behavior. People with this type of bipolarism tend to fall into high levels of manic behavior. Bipolar 2 symptoms are milder than bipolar 1. People may exhibit less disturbing manic behavior.
Episodes
Doctors further divide the two types into episodes. Each episode represents certain emotions that influence how people with bipolar disorder behave. They are described as:
- Mania: This stage brings on episodes of manic behavior such as hallucinations or delusional behavior. People may feel extremely happy one minute and very angry the next. The emotional episodes may be dramatic and last for long periods of time. The emotions vary with each episode and cannot be predetermined or placed into a pattern.
- Hypomania: Is less severe than mania and do not last as long as manic episodes. Hypomania feelings can easily escalate into mania. Some doctors consider it a precursor to manic episodes.
- Euthymia: Manic symptoms or episodes are nonexistent. People may feel more relaxed and resigned in their emotional state.
- Depression: This stage can accompany both types of bipolar conditions but not always. It makes people feel sad, depressed or unable to function in their daily activities. Depression is actually a condition in its own right. It is often accompanies other mental health problems such as bipolar disorder.
- Mixed: People can show signs of depression and bipolarism at the same time. They may experience up and down emotional behavior while in this episode.
Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic disorder is a condition similar to bipolarism. It mimics the symptoms and signs of the condition, and causes hypomania-like behavior. Most professionals consider it a precursor to a full blown manic depressive disorder.
Symptoms and Indicators
Each stage has its own symptoms or indicators. Mental health specialists look for the symptoms to determine which stage their patients may be experiencing.
Hypomania and mania exhibit symptoms of:
- Excessive energy
- Insomnia or the need to stay awake
- Invincibility or the feeling that nothing can stop them, or that they are the leaders of the world
- Feelings of promiscuity
- Increased agitation and anger
- Excessive spending
- Unrealistic thoughts and ideas
- Religious rantings
Euthymia symptoms and indicators:
- Mellow
- Good attitude
- Calm
- Feelings of happiness
Depression symptoms and indicators:
- Lack of interest in their activities, work, family and friends. They choose to avoid interacting with others, and may also consider suicide or have suicidal tendencies.
- Lacks good hygiene such as forgetting to bathe or brush teeth.
- Skips work or calls in sick for several days at a time.
- May show very little interest in job duties while at work.
Causes
Although it is not exactly clear as to what causes the disorder, it generally appears during the adolescent stage of life or in the early teens. Healthcare specialists, scientists and others who study or work in this area of mental health contribute many factors to developing bipolar disorder during these ages. Some even consider heredity as a cause. People with family members who have the problem may develop it as well.
Other specialists contribute the chemical imbalances within the brain as a cause. Neurotransmitters in the brain affect emotion and mood changes in people. If these transmitters become damaged or disrupted, people may not have control over how they feel or react with others.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing manic depressive orders typically begins with recognizing and analyzing the symptoms and indicators. Parents usually are the first ones to notice changes in their children. Teachers may have concerns about a child’s disruptive behavior in the classroom. Doctors may refer parents to trained psychotherapists in order to properly diagnose their children.
Adults with bipolarism may require different methods of diagnosing the condition. Since many adults were not properly diagnosed when they were younger, doctors look at their current behavior to make a correct diagnosis. Most adult patients look for assistance during the depression stage. They can receive mental health referrals to qualified psychotherapists for treatment.
Psychiatrists and psychologists will talk to their patients about how they feel. They may examine their patients’ family histories for any indications of the condition. Specialists must rule out every other mental health condition, such as attention deficit disorder or schizophrenia, to correctly diagnose a bipolar disorder.
Treatments
Once mental health professionals make the correct diagnosis, they can prescribe the right treatment. Treatment may include psychotherapy and anti-psychotic medication to control mood swings and manic behavior. Doctors may also prescribe antidepressants to control the symptoms of depression. The treatments must be ongoing because manic disorders cannot be cured.
Bipolarism is a serious and life-changing condition. It is important for those with the condition to seek and receive help. With the right diagnosis and treatments, bipolar disorders can be controlled.