Bipolar Disorder

Manic depression was the past name for a condition that creates extreme mood swings. Today, it is referred to as bipolar disorder. The patient experiences swings between emotional highs and lows (from mania or hypomania to depression).

During the depression periods, the patient feels hopeless or sad. The hypomania periods are usually just the opposite, making the patient feel unusually happy, but it can also cause irritability. Sleep, behavior, thoughts, and judgment are all affected during these mood swings. The periods between mood swings can be totally asymptomatic or show a few emotional symptoms, depending on the patient. The times between episodes can be short or long, returning several times in a year or rarely.

Bipolar disorder is not curable but can be managed. Medication and psychological counseling are used to treat this condition and must be monitored and adjusted for the perfect combination for symptom relief.

The types of bipolar and other related disorders result in different symptoms. The unpredictable nature of the changes can result in significant difficulty coping with life and can bring on considerable distress.

• Bipolar I: The patient has at least one manic episode with or without hypomania or a major depressive episode. The mania at this level can create a break from reality (psychosis).

• Bipolar II: The patient has at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode but no manic episodes.

• Cyclothymic: The patient has at least two years with many cycles of hypomania and depressive symptoms (but not major depression).

• Other: Bipolar or related disorders brought on by a medical condition or by alcohol or drug use. Cushing’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke can be factors in bipolar disorder.

Bipolar I and bipolar II are not more severe or mild forms of the condition but have different symptoms and can last for varying lengths of time.