Bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic depression, is a mental health disorder that is distinguished by dramatic changes in a person's mood and energy, from the elated highs of mania to the lows of depression. Bipolar disorder affects all ages, genders, and ethnicities, and usually has its onset in late adolescence or young adulthood. We know that genetics can play a role in the vulnerability to bipolar disorder, as researchers have traced the incidence of bipolar disorder among generations of families.
While bipolar disorder cannot be prevented, it's important to be aware of early warning signs of an impending episode of bipolar depression or bipolar mania. Early recognition of bipolar warning signs and seeing your doctor regularly can allow you to monitor your mood and medications and keep illness from escalating.
In fact, although treating bipolar disorder moods is critical, there is a convincing case supported by scientific studies that the prevention of further mood episodes should be the greatest goal.
What are bipolar disorder symptoms?
Symptoms of bipolar disorder can fall between two extreme mood states:
Bipolar depression, which includes feelings of being sad, hopeless, helpless, and worthless
Bipolar mania, which includes feelings of elation and exuberance coupled with increased energy and activity and little need for sleep.
In addition, people with bipolar disorder can have manic episodes that occur simultaneously with depressive symptoms or vice versa. The simultaneous occurrence of depressive symptoms and manic episodes is known as "mixed features."
What are symptoms of bipolar depression?
Symptoms of the depressive phase of bipolar disorder may consist of the following:
What are symptoms of bipolar mania?
How is bipolar disorder treated?
Bipolar disorder is treated with medications to stabilize mood. If the mood stabilizers do not fully manage the symptoms, other medications may be added to help calm the mania or ease the depression.
Along with mood stabilizers, psychotherapy is recommended to help the patient develop appropriate and workable coping strategies to deal with everyday stressors and to increase medication compliance.
Can behavioral counseling help those with bipolar disorder?
Different types of talk therapy options are available to help those with bipolar disorder prevent or cope with a mood episode:
Can bipolar disorder be cured?
There is no cure for bipolar disorder, but through behavior therapy and the right combination of mood stabilizers and other bipolar medicines, most people with bipolar disorder can live normal, productive lives. That said, bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental illness that has a great risk of recurrent episodes. Being compliant to taking prescribed medications and keeping doctor appointments is crucial to self-managing bipolar disorder and preventing serious episodes.
In addition, there are support groups available for patients and their family members to help them talk openly and learn how to support someone with bipolar disorder. Ongoing encouragement and support are needed after a person starts treatment. In fact, there are findings showing that the availability of social support systems increases the chances of employment in patients with bipolar disorder compared with those patients without support.
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