Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a diagnostic category that describes a class of mood disorders where the person experiences depression and/or states or episodes of mania, hypomania and/or mixed states. experiences. Left untreated, it is a seriously disabling mental condition.
The difference between bipolar disorder and major depression is that bipolar disorder involves an "energetic" or "active" mood in addition to a depressed mood. The duration and intensity of mood states vary widely among people with the disease.
Fluctuations from one mood to another are called "cycling" or mood swings. Mood swings cause impairment not only in one's mood, but also in one's energy level, sleep patterns, activity level, social rhythm, and ability to think. Many people are completely disabled for some time after being diagnosed, and may have great difficulty working during this time.
Most people diagnosed suffer from depression. In fact, there is at least a 3 to 1 ratio of time spent depressed compared to time spent in normal mood or hypomanic or manic during the bipolar I subtype of the illness. People with bipolar II subtype are depressed for significantly longer periods of time. 37 times longer than bipolar I.
A 2003 study by Robert Hirschfeld, MD, of the University of Texas, Galveston, found that bipolar patients performed worse in their depression than unipolar patients.
In terms of disability, lost years of productivity, and potential for suicide, bipolar depression is now recognized as the deadliest aspect of the illness.
Symptoms of psychosis can be accompanied by severe depression. These symptoms include hallucinations and delusions. They may also suffer from paranoid thoughts of being persecuted or monitored by a powerful institution such as the government or a hostile force.
Intense and unusual religious beliefs may also be present, such as patients' strong insistence that they have a God-given role in the world, fulfill a noble and historical mission, or even that they have supernatural powers. . The delusions in a depression can be far more distressing, sometimes taking the form of intense guilt for perceived wrongs that the patient feels he or she has committed to others.
treatment for bipolar disorder
Currently bipolar disorder cannot be cured but it can be managed. The emphasis of treatment is on effective management of the long-term course of the disease, which may include treatment of emergent symptoms. Treatment methods include pharmacological and psychological techniques.
A variety of medications are used to treat bipolar disorder. Most people with bipolar disorder require a combination of medications.
get rid of bipolar disorder
Even when on medication, some people may still experience debilitating episodes or have a full-blown manic or depressive episode. The following behaviors can lead to depressive or manic collapse:
* Discontinue or reduce the dosage of the drug without the advice of a physician.
* To be more or less than the drug. In general, taking low doses of a mood stabilizer can lead to a return to mania. Taking a low dose of an antidepressant can cause the patient to become depressed, while high doses can cause instability in a mixed state or mania.
Taking other psychotropic or recreational drugs such as ************, *******, or ******. Because of these, the condition may get worse.
* An inconsistent sleep schedule can destabilize the disease. Too much sleep can lead to depression, while too little sleep can lead to mixed states or mania.
* Excessive amounts of caffeine can destabilize moods leading to irritability, dysphoria and mania.
* Inadequate stress management and poor lifestyle choices. If left untreated, excessive stress can cause a person to relapse. Medication raises the threshold of tension somewhat, but too much stress still causes relaxation.
The information presented here should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you or someone you know suffers from bipolar disorder, please seek professional medical advice for the latest treatment options.
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