What is bipolar disorder?

How does the patient feel?

What are the symptoms of a manic episode?

What are the symptoms of a depressive episode?

What are the causes of bipolar disorder?

What are the treatment options?

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that can cause extreme mood swings, according to the US National Library of Health.

Bipolar disorder has been called by other names, such as manic depression and manic-depressive disorder.

According to our world in data, about 46 million people in 2017 suffered from bipolar disorder.

How does a person with bipolar disorder feel?

Sometimes a person with bipolar disorder may feel relaxed, euphoric, irritable, or energized, and this is called a manic episode.

At other times, he may feel frustrated, sad, apathetic or hopeless, and this is called a depressive episode.

The patient may also have symptoms of mania and depression together, and this is called a mixed episode.

Besides mood swings, bipolar disorder causes changes in behavior, energy levels, and activity levels.

It is important to treat bipolar disorder;

It affects the patient's life.

According to a study in the journal Psychiatria Danubina, it is estimated that 25 to 50% of patients with bipolar disorder will attempt suicide at least once during their lifetime.

What are the types of bipolar disorder?

There are 3 main types of bipolar disorder:

  • Bipolar I disorder type I:

It includes episodes of mania lasting at least 7 days, or manic symptoms so severe that the person needs immediate medical attention in a hospital.

Depressive episodes are also common, and often last at least two weeks.

This type of bipolar disorder can also include mixed episodes.


  • Bipolar II disorder:

It includes depressive episodes, but instead of full episodes of mania, a person develops episodes of hypomania, which is a less severe state of mania.

  • Cyclic disorder, or cyclothymia:

It includes symptoms of hypomania and depression, but they are not as severe or long-lasting as episodes of hypomania or depression.

Symptoms usually last at least two years in adults, and one year in children and adolescents.

What causes bipolar disorder?

The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, and it is possible that several factors play a role in the disorder, including genetics, brain structure and function, and environment.

You are more likely to develop bipolar disorder if you have a close relative who has it.

Exposure to trauma or stressful life events may increase this risk even further.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Symptoms of bipolar disorder can vary, but they involve mood swings known as "mood episodes," and include episodes of mania, depression and mixed episodes.

Symptoms of a manic episode:

  • Feeling relieved, euphoric, or euphoric

  • Feeling nervous, or more active than usual

  • Having a very short temper or appearing very irritable

  • Having racing thoughts, speaking very quickly

  • Needing less sleep

  • Feeling unusually important, talented, or powerful

  • Doing risky things without wisdom, such as spending or giving away a lot of money

 Symptoms of a depressive episode:

  • Feeling very sad, hopeless, or worthless

  • Feeling lonely or isolating yourself from others

  • Talking too slowly, feeling like you have nothing to say, or forgetting a lot

  • Having little energy

  • Sleeping too much or too little

  • Lack of interest in your usual activities and inability to do simple things

  • Thinking about death or suicide

Symptoms of a mixed seizure

Symptoms of mania and depression together include, for example, feeling very sad, empty, or hopeless, while at the same time feeling very energetic.

Mood episodes may last a week, two weeks, or sometimes longer.

During an attack, symptoms usually occur every day for most of the day.


What treatments for bipolar disorder?

pharmaceutical

Medications can help control symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Some people need to take more than one medicine, and it is important that you take your medicine regularly, and do not stop taking it without first talking to your doctor.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can help you identify disturbing feelings, thoughts, behavior, and more, and can provide you and your family with support, education, skills and coping strategies.

Other treatment options include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a brain stimulation procedure that can help relieve symptoms.

ECT is often used for severe bipolar disorder that does not improve with other treatments.

Regular aerobic exercise may help treat depression, anxiety and difficulty sleeping.