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Understanding Bi Polar Disorder

Douglas Manning — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:36:42 +0000

Bi polar disorder patients often suffer from suicidal thoughts, troubled relationships or trouble in the workplace.

This psychiatric illness causes uncontrollable mood swings and much emotional pain.

If left untreated, this disease could lead to hospitalization. This article will discuss the definition of bi polar disorder, bi polar disorder symptoms, and some treatments that are available.

Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder

A person who suffers from bipolar disorder can have severe mood swings–ranging from severe depression to severe mania.

Severe depression is characterized by feelings of hopelessness or suicidal thoughts, while severe mania could include insomnia, intense anxiety or impulsive behavior. Between these extremes are moderate depression, mild depression, a feeling of normalcy, and increased levels of energy known as hypomania.

More than one of these symptoms can be experienced at the same time, referred to as a mixed state.

Types Of Bi Polar Disorder

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), there are four types of bi polar disorder. Manic or mixed behavior, or depression lasting more than two weeks. Bounces back and forth with hypomanic episodes.

The person’s symptoms do not fit the other categories, but clearly does not exhibit normal behavior.

Bi polar disorder in its mildest form. A person usually bounces back and forth between mild depression and hypomania for at least several years.

What Causes Bi Polar Disorder?

There is no clear-cut cause for bi polar disorder.

The theories are too many to mention; however, scientists feel that identifying the problem begins with the brain.

Brain Chemistry. Fluctuating levels of neurotransmitters–such as norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine–may be contributing factors for the bipolar patient. For example, low norepinephrine levels can create depression and high levels can create mania. Genetics, stress, and traumatic life experiences can also cause a person to exhibit bipolar symptoms.

Stresses Of Daily Living. Daily life can bring ups and downs for any person. However, ups and downs are extreme for bi polar patients. A physician may have difficulty diagnosing bi polar disorder because its symptoms may mimic other conditions, such as drug abuse or other physical ailments. People who exhibit intermittent levels of acute energy, extreme irritability, or have high-risk, compulsive habits show signs of being bipolar.

Managing Bi Polar Disorder With Treatment

For many people, the symptoms of bi polar disorder do not completely go away with treatment.

However, it can be controlled with medication, or a combination of medicines. Antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, mood stabilizers, or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used to treat this disease.

Counseling is also an effective tool in the bi polar treatment plan.

Help Is Available For Bi Polar Disorder

In the past, bi polar patients were labeled manic depressive.

This reference is sometimes used today. By either definition, bi polar disorder is a psychiatric illness that can ultimately wreak havoc on a person’s life.

Under a doctor’s care, bi polar disorder can be controlled, but not cured. Always discuss any symptoms and care with a physician before beginning any medicines.

Bi Polar Disorder: Are You At Risk?

Douglas Manning — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:52:06 +0000

Bipolar disorder can go by many different names such as: manic depression, bipolar mood disorder, and bi polar disease.

Not only are there many medical terms for this same condition, but bipolar disorder can be classified into different types. Because bipolar symptoms can vary by person, separating bipolar disorder into these types helps doctors determine treatment for each individual patient.

Take a look at how bi polar disorder can affect you and those you love.

Bi Polar Disorder Can Strike Anyone

Men, women, and children can all be affected by bi polar disease, yet the symptoms of this psychological disorder can be much different for a child than it can be for an adult.

Most people in their lifetime suffer silently with bipolar disorder because they are embarrassed to admit they may have a problem. Some people never seek treatment for their condition because they don’t recognize the symptoms of bipolar disorder. This causes strain on their lives and the lives of their family members and loved ones.

Bipolar affective disorder is one of the more serious psychological disorders and should not be left untreated.

Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder

Being bipolar affects the way a person acts, thinks, and feels. Adults that suffer from bipolar often feel depressed and irritable; have racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, have loss of energy, feelings of guilt or unworthiness, and more.

The symptoms a child feels may not always be the same as what an adult feels. They may suffer from irritability and anxiety, as well as other rapid mood changes.

A person suffering from bipolar can go through many episodes of highs and lows, also known as mania (high) and depression (low). For adults, these episodes can last for weeks or even months. Children have shown to have episodes that are much shorter, but they may suffer between the two episodes back and forth throughout the day.

There is no predictable pattern to these episodes, and in between them a sufferer can usually return to their normal functions. For some people with bipolar disease, they may suffer much more, and never return to their normal functions.

Substance Abuse: Troubling Side Effects of Bi Polar Disorder

Many people that may be suffering with bipolar disorder may turn to alcohol and drugs to mask their symptoms of bipolar, and to help them feel better.

When they are high, they may feel better, but this result will only be temporary. Abusing substances like alcohol and drugs to deal with any psychological disorders, especially bipolar disorder can have disastrous effects.

Not only can this make the symptoms of bipolar worse, but it can also make it harder for doctors to treat and understand.

The Exact Cause Of Bi Polar Disorder Is Unknown

The exact cause of bipolar disorder is still unknown, but researchers suggest it may be caused by genetics, biochemical, or environmental factors that cause an imbalance in the brain’s neurotransmitters.

When these brain chemicals are not balanced, mood-regulation in the brain will not work. Diagnosing a bipolar disorder can be somewhat of a difficult process. As of now, there really aren’t any lab tests or medicals scans of the brain that can be performed to diagnose it. Seeking the help of an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist should be the first step in diagnosing bipolar disorder.

Once there is a diagnosis of bipolar personality disorder, doctors can begin to treat it.

Bi Polar Help Is Available

Treatment for bipolar disease will depend on the patient and their symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Currently there is no cure for bipolar disease, but with proper treatment, bipolar sufferers can control and manage their symptoms better than without medication.

Continuing treatment along with lifestyle changes such as eating well, reducing stress, and sleeping well, can be key to living a successful and happy life.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment: Overcoming Manic Depressive Disorder

Douglas Manning — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:35:00 +0000

Bipolar disorder, which was formerly known as manic depression, is generally typified by sudden mood swings, variations in motivational levels, and not being able or unwilling to interact socially with others.

Researchers have determined that about 1% of the population is stricken with bi polar disorder each year – and, that number seems to be increasing. The symptoms of this mood disorder can be detrimental to success in education, your career, and friendships.

Only through receiving proper treatment for this condition can one overcome its related obstacles.

How Is Bi Polar Disorder Treated?

Bipolar treatment methods consist of the latest bipolar medications and one-on-one counseling.

It is strongly encouraged that those who suffer from bi polar disorder consult with a psychiatrist to run a bipolar disorder test how badly a person is affected by their condition. The medications that are used for bipolar disorder treatment can be broken down into two types: mood enhancers and anti-depressants (commonly used for treatment of depression).

At times, it is necessary for both types to be used for patients whose condition causes them to suffer extreme mood swings.

Common Medication For Bipolar Treatment

The first medication that is usually prescribed is lithium, and it is also the most popular because it is very effective in children and teens.

Some other medications which are commonly used to prevent seizures have been found to be effective for bipolar disorder treatment, as they control mood swings quite well. In its initial stages of diagnosis, it is common that combinations of these drugs will be administered to determine effectiveness levels.

Generally, an anti-psychotic medication along with standard medications used in the treatment of depression are both given to compliment the use of mood enhancers.

Through time, medications will need be adjusted, increased, decreased and modified in order to enhance the effectiveness of bipolar disorder treatment.

Be Careful Of Natural Herbal Remedies

There are some who rely on natural herbal remedies for bi polar disorder treatment. St. John’s Wort and Omega-3 supplements are most commonly used.

If you consider any natural remedy, always ask your doctor about it, as any dosages you may be taking with bipolar medications may interfere and need to be adjusted.

Therapy And Counseling Are Essential To Bipolar Treatment

Therapy and counseling is a very important element of manic depressive disorder treatment; unfortunately, it is often overlooked.

Many erroneously believe that just because they are on bipolar medications that they do not need therapy. Psychiatrists and support groups offer counseling and therapy sessions which give one who suffers from this mood disorder a place to discuss their difficulties with others suffering from the same condition.

Therapy can be a great source of education and support to supplement bipolar treatment.

Bi polar Disorder Treatment Is Available For Manic Depression

It is estimated that more than 2 million people currently suffer from bipolar disorder in the US. The manifestation of the symptoms can be frustrating and detrimental to relationships between the patient and his/her family and/or friends.

Adequate bi polar treatment is absolutely necessary in order to succeed in every day life.

Through simply consulting with a specialist and combining therapy with correct medications, one can easily overcome the debilitating struggles of bipolar disorder, and go on to live a normally fulfilling life.