Bipolar Disorder - Symptoms and Treatment

Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, causes serious shifts in mood, thinking, behavior and energy, from the highs of mania to the lows of depression. These extremes of moods can last a day, weeks or even months.

These swings are often so intense that they can interfere with the ability to function causing difficulties with work performance, school and relationships. It will often run in families although there is no known cause. The first episode usually occurs in the teenage years or as a young adult. Although there are episodes of mania and depression, there is often more depressive episodes than manic.

There are four types of mood episodes within the bipolar disorder realm. These are mania, hypomania, depression and mixed emotions. With mania, there is high energy, creativity, euphoria, hyperactive behavior, excessive talking, little need for sleep, the feeling of being invincible, unrealistic expectations and ideas, acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences and, having grandiose ideas. Hypomania is similar but to a lesser degree than mania.

With depression, sufferers are irritable, unpredictable, experience mood swings, have feelings of restlessness, require more sleep, may gain weight, be fatigued, feel sad, lack energy, may develop psychotic depression where they lose contact with reality, may have feelings of hopelessness and guilt, or possibly harbor thoughts of suicide and death.

Those with mixed episodes will suffer from depression with agitation, irritability, anxiety, insomnia and racing thoughts. Their high energy and low moods increase their risk of suicide.

Other symptoms of bipolar are that those suffering from the disorder may find their judgment as well as memory, concentration, appetite, sleep, and sex drive may be affected. It has been discovered to be linked to anxiety, substance abuse, migraines and some health problems such as high blood pressure.

Diagnosing bipolar disorder early helps prevent further complications. Treatment is long-term because bipolar is a chronic condition. Treatment must continue even when the person feels better because when treatment is discontinued, episodes will likely resume.

Medication is important in the treatment of bipolar but therapy and self-help strategies play important roles also. Exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, eating well, keeping stress to a minimum and being surrounded by supportive people will help. These lifestyle changes may be necessary as well as keeping medication closely monitored. Treatment is more than relieving symptoms; it is an effort to control future episodes. It is important to learn relaxation techniques, i.e.: meditation and yoga can be helpful in this; joining a support group; making healthy choices, i.e.: avoiding overuse of alcohol and taking the required medication.

Over-the-counter cold medications, caffeine and thyroid medication can sometimes trigger mania. Sleep deprivation may trigger mania as well. Manic episodes are more common during the summer and depressive episodes during other seasons.

Being able to recognize the symptoms of bipolar disorder in yourself or someone close to you will help in getting early diagnosis and treatment to enable you to live a life that is not hampered by episodes of mania or depression.