Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a mood disorder that causes severe changes in mood levels, often affecting how a person deals with their day-to-day life. The symptoms of bipolar disorder include sever highs and lows in mood, more pronounced than the typical ups and downs that most people go through. Bipolar disorder can affect work performance, educational ability, and even daily tasks. In it’s most severe form, bipolar disorder can also cause suicide.
For most people, bipolar disorder will begin in the late teens or early adult years. Nearly half of all cases begin before the age of 25, with some showing symptoms during their childhood years.
For many, bipolar disorder is not easy to spot immediately. Because the symptoms are not physical, like with other disorders, they may be over looked or brushed off as typical mood swings that come during the early years of life. Some people go many years before they are diagnosed as bipolar and can begin treatment. Bipolar is an illness that requires long-term management and treatment, so getting help as soon as possible is very important.
People with bipolar disorder usually experience intense emotional highs and lows, often lasting for days or weeks. On one end of the spectrum, they feel the manic high range. This is a time when their emotions run on the high side, they can experience extreme joys and become overly excited. Often they require less sleep, may experience changes in the appetite, and can become easily agitated and angry. This manic phase of bipolar can make a person feel better than usual, making it hard for them to seek treatment. Some describe it as walking a tightrope without falling, expressing the rush that comes during a manic phase.
On the other end of the spectrum is the depressive phase. This is a period of extreme lows in mood. Thoughts and feelings tend to be darker, energy can decrease, and a person may have an increased appetite or strong cravings for sugary foods and carbohydrates. This is a crucial time for many bipolar people. when thoughts of suicide seem to be at their most high. During this low period, a person with bipolar may be unable to function, become withdrawn and isolated, and have extreme difficulties concentrating on tasks.
Sometimes with bipolar a person can also experience a mixed state. This is when then highs and lows come together at the same time, creating a type of manic depression that is very difficult to manage. A person may feel agitated, have trouble sleeping, and experience changes in appetite. During a mixed state you may feel restless and energised, while still having feelings of hopelessness and sadness. This can be a dangerous time for a bipolar person because thoughts of suicide can increase, while the person has the energy or motivation to actually act out these thoughts.
Bipolar disorder is a lifetime illness. Some people may experience long bouts in between where they are free of symptoms, or where their symptoms are milder and easier to manage. This can cause some people to go off of their treatment thinking they are cured.; However, treatment for bipolar disorder is something that will last for years. Without treatment, a person’s bipolar disorder can increase over time becoming more severe and having more rapidly cycling moods.
Alcohol and substance abuse is very common for people with bipolar disorder. Some people seek to treat their symptoms by masking them with alcohol and drugs. However, these substances can often trigger a person to have more severe cycles that require stronger treatments.
People with bipolar disorder may also experience co-existing mental and physical illnesses with their disorder. Anxiety disorders are common among those with bipolar, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder. Some with bipolar will also have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which can enhance the feelings of restlessness and lack of concentration. Those with bipolar also tend to have higher rates of some physical illnesses, such as thyroid disease, migraine headaches, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. All of these illnesses can trigger episodes of mania or depression if left untreated.
Bipolar disorder tends to be a genetic disorder, though the exact causes for it are still unclear. People with a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with bipolar tend to be six times more likely to have the condition themselves. Fortunately, most people with bipolar disorder in their families will not inherit the condition. But those that do can look to the genetic links that may have made them more prone to the illness.
Brain development is also related to whether or not bipolar disorder will occur. Researchers looking at brain imaging have found that the brain development of children with bipolar disorder is similar to the brain development of children with other mood disorders, such as schizophrenia. This suggests a common link between how the brain develops and certain disorders.
To date, there is not true cure for bipolar disorder. For most people with this disorder, a lifetime of medications will be prescribed to help keep symptoms suppressed. Some will also turn to diet, physical activity, and therapy to help them cope with the disorder and it’s manifestations. Mood stabilizing medications are often the first choice for doctors when treating people with bipolar because of how effective they can be against the disorder.
Because of how extreme moods can affect a person’s work and social life, understanding and seeking treatment for bipolar disorder is very important. Knowing how the disorder affects a person can help them to see the illness more clearly. Bipolar disorder tends to be an under-diagnosed and misunderstood illness, one that is treatable through proper medication and therapy. If you suspect that you or a loved on has bipolar disorder, talk with your doctor about your symptoms and treatment options today.
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