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What is Bipolar Disorder?Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive illness. People with bipolar disorder are subject to severe mood swings, from high to low, mania to depression. If affects not only their mood, but also their emotions, energy, and ability to get by in work, school, and home settings. Apart from broken families, lost jobs, and broken relationships, one of the worst outcomes of bipolar is suicide or suicide attempts. However, if the disorder is identified and treated with mood stabilizer medications and anti-depressants, sufferers can lead a mostly normal life with ongoing treatment. In this article, we will learn more about the symptoms of bipolar disorder, treatments, and how to get help if you are depressed or have bipolar disorder.
What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?Bipolar can be hard to spot sometimes, because the symptons can be at opposite ends of the emotional spectrum, ranging from near hyperactive energy levels (mania) and delusional thoughts of grandeur to reckless behavior, listlessness, and reduced appetite (depression). It helps to have a list, so here are the common signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Getting help for bipolar disorderIf you suffer from bipolar disorder, you can get help for yourself or for someone you love by getting in touch with the National Mental Health Association here. Just select the state you are in, and local offices near you will be listed. You can also call them at 1-800-969-NMHA for assistance. Also check out the National Institute of Mental Health website for information on locating mental health services near you: here. Often your family doctor, psychiatrist, or social worker can also point you in the right direction. NIMH also has helpful online booklets about bipolar disorder here and here.What causes bipolar disorder?Doctors and scientists have not found any direct causes of the illness, but it does tend to run in families, suggesting a genetic connection. Studies of identical twins have shown that even with identical genes, twins do not always suffer from the disease together, suggesting other factors are involved. MRI, CAT scans, and brain imaging are ongoing tools used by doctors and researchers as they dig deeper into the cause.How is bipolar disorder treated? Depression treatmentsThe first step in treating bipolar is diagnosing it. Once that is accomplished and the patient understands the causes of their feelings, real treatment can begin. The treatment for bipolar disorder is normally therapy combined with mood stabilizing drugs like lithium, divalproex, or carbamazepine. Depending on circumstances, anti psychotic drugs are somtimes used as well. For episodes of depression, additional anti-depressants can also be prescribed. People who undergo treatment for bipolar lower their suicide rate by nearly 10X. Psychotherapy is part of the program, combined with the drugs, to manage and control the bipolar symptoms. It also helps if the patient keeps daily mood charts and tracks potential symptoms before they escalate. It is also important for your doctor to check your thyroid, as thyroid malfunctions can cause mood changes. Ideally, the treatment is lifelong since there is no cure for bipolar disorder, but many patients discontinue it after a year or more. For additional in depth information on bipolar disorder and treatment, we also recommend the MentalHealth.com site (search for bipolar I disorder). They have a wealth of good information for those whose lives are affected by bipolar, whether sufferers or their friends and family.
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