INTRODUCTION
Extreme mood swings characterized by emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression) are the hallmarks of bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression. When you’re depressed, you could experience sadness or hopelessness as well as lose interest in or enjoyment from most things. Mania or hypomania, which is less severe than mania, can cause mood swings that include euphoria, excessive energy, or extraordinary irritability. Sleep, energy, activity, judgment, conduct, and the capacity for clear thought can all be impacted by these mood changes.
Causes of bipolar
Although the precise origin of bipolar illness is uncertain, several factors, including:
Biological variations. The brains of those who suffer from bipolar disorder seem to undergo physical alterations. Although the importance of these changes is still unknown, they may eventually aid in identifying the root causes.
Genetics. Those who have a parent or sibling who is a first-degree relative with bipolar disorder are more likely to suffer from the illness themselves. Scientists are searching for genes that could contribute to the development of bipolar disorder.
Types of bipolar disorder
Three varieties of bipolar disorder exist. There are noticeable variations in mood, energy, and activity levels in all three categories. These moods range from very “down, depressed, apathetic, or hopeless times to extremely “up,” ecstatic, agitated, or energetic times (known as manic episodes) (known as depressive episodes). Hypomanic episodes are manic episodes that are less intense.
Bipolar I disorder: Manic episodes lasting at least seven days or almost every day for most of the day or manic symptoms severe enough to require emergency medical attention are the hallmarks of bipolar I disease. Depressive episodes usually happen too, and they usually continue for at least two weeks. It is also possible to experience mixed-feature episodes of depression, which include both manic and depressed symptoms concurrently. “Rapid cycling” is the term used to describe having four or more manic or depressive episodes in a single year.
Bipolar II disorder: A pattern of hypomanic and depressed episodes characterizes bipolar II disorder. In bipolar I disorder, the hypomanic episodes are milder than the manic episodes.
Cyclothymic disorder: Recurrent hypomanic and depressive symptoms that do not meet the criteria for hypomanic or depressive episodes due to their lack of intensity or duration characterize cyclothymia, another name for cyclothymic disease.
Other specified and unspecified bipolar and related disorders refer to situations where an individual has bipolar disorder symptoms that do not fall into any of the three categories mentioned above.
In late youth (the teen years) or early adulthood, bipolar illness is frequently diagnosed. Bipolar symptoms can occasionally manifest in young people. Even though bipolar disorder symptoms might change over time, therapy for the condition is typically needed for life. Those who adhere to a recommended treatment plan can have a better quality of life and symptom management.
Signs and symptoms of bipolar
Individuals who have bipolar disorder go through episodes of exceptionally high emotion, have abnormal shifts in sleep and activity patterns, and exhibit behaviors that are not typical of them often without realizing the unfavorable consequences of their actions. Mood episodes are these discrete times. Mood episodes deviate significantly from the person’s typical emotions and actions. The symptoms are present every day for the majority of the day throughout an episode. Additionally, episodes might endure for extended lengths of time, such as a few days or weeks.
Symptoms of a Manic Episode
Being incredibly agitated, touchy, or up, high, or happy, feeling electric or jittery, acting more animated than normal, With less of a need to sleep, Speaking quickly and covering a wide range of topics (a “flight of ideas”), rushing ideas, having the capacity to multitask without becoming fatigued, An overindulgence in food, alcohol, sex, or other enjoyable pleasures, feeling exceptionally significant, gifted, or strong.
Symptoms of a Depressive Episode
Being extremely depressed, unhappy, or nervous, Feeling agitated or sluggish, Being unable to fall asleep, getting up excessively early, or sleeping excessively, Speaking very slowly, feeling as though you have nothing to say, or frequently forgetting Not being able to focus or make decisions, Sensing unable of performing even basic tasks, Being uninterested in practically everything, having thoughts of suicide or death, or feeling worthless or hopeless.
An episode with mixed features is one in which a person experiences both manic and depressive symptoms at the same time. People may experience intense feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness during a mixed-feature episode, but they may also experience intense energy.
Even if a person’s symptoms are not as severe, they may still have bipolar disorder. For instance, hypomania, a milder version of mania, is experienced by some individuals with bipolar II disease. A person experiencing a hypomanic episode could feel fantastic, accomplish a lot, and go about their daily business. Even though the person may not feel anything is wrong, friends and relatives may notice changes in the person’s mood or level of activity as potential bipolar disorder symptoms. People with hypomania may progress to severe mania or depression if they do not receive the right care.
Treatment and therapies for bipolar
Many people, even those with the most severe forms of bipolar disease, can benefit from treatment. Psychotherapy, sometimes known as talk therapy, and medicine are typically used in conjunction as part of an efficient treatment strategy. Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition. Mania and sadness episodes usually recur over time. Many persons with bipolar disorder may not experience mood swings in between episodes, but some may experience residual symptoms. Those who receive ongoing, long-term care can help control these symptoms. some treatments for managing bipolar disorder:
Psychoanalysis For those with bipolar disorder, psychotherapy also referred to as talk therapy can be a useful component of their treatment plan. Treatment methods called psychotherapy are intended to assist patients in recognizing and altering unhelpful feelings, ideas, and actions. This kind of treatment can help those with bipolar disease and their families by offering support, information, and direction.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an important treatment for depression, and CBT adapted for the treatment of insomnia can be especially helpful as part of treatment for bipolar depression.
Family-focused therapy and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT), two more recent therapies created especially for the treatment of bipolar disorder, may also be utilized in conjunction with traditional therapies.
Other treatment options
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a method of brain stimulation that can assist in easing severe bipolar illness symptoms. When a patient’s condition has not improved despite receiving alternative therapies or in situations requiring quick attention, such as those involving individuals at high risk of suicide or in a state of catatonia, medical professionals may think about using ECT.
Repetitive transcranial stimulation (rTMS) is a kind of brain stimulation that employs magnetic waves across several therapy sessions to alleviate depression. rTMS is less potent than ECT, but it doesn’t require general anesthesia and has a lower chance of impairing thinking or memory.
Light therapy is the best evidence-based treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and seasonal worsening of depression or SAD in the winter is experienced by many bipolar disorder patients. Treatment options for milder variations of seasonal exacerbation of bipolar depression include light therapy.
Summary. Even though bipolar disorder is a lifelong diagnosis, you can control other symptoms like mood swings by adhering to a treatment plan. The majority of the time, psychotherapy and medication are used to manage bipolar disorder.