Bipolar Disorder

There are a wide variety of mental disorders that affect the daily lives of adults and children, Bipolar Disorder being one of them. Consistently recognized as a pattern of highs and lows, it is one of the most difficult mental disorders to live with, as without intervention, it can be difficult to control. It can also be incredibly difficult for someone to seek help during phases, as they may not realize that help is needed.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

The simplest way to explain bipolar disorder is that it is a mental disorder that alternates between manic and depressive episodes. Patients may go through major depressive episodes that alternate with hypomanic episodes or they may have a full manic episode without any signs of depression. As a dangerous mood disorder it consistently puts people in a variety of harmful situations ranging from suicide to making explosive decisions. There are 2 main types of bipolar disorder:

Bipolar II: Hypomanic episodes and major depressive episodes

Bipolar I: Full manic episodes with alternating symptom-free periods (2 months at a time)

What are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?

There are a few significant symptoms of bipolar disorder. They will typically appear in patients between 18 and 22 years of age, depending on the type of bipolar disorder they are suffering from. The most common symptoms include:

• Rapid cycling between manic and depressive episodes
• Illusions of grandeur
• Anxiety
• Inability to eat
• Insomnia
• Thoughts of suicide
• Moody and explosive thoughts
• High-strung and hyperactive behavior

How to Treat Bipolar Disorder?

Suicide is four times more likely in patients that are suffering from bipolar disorder than any other type of mental disorder making it a dangerous condition requiring treatment. If you know someone who may be suffering from bipolar disorder it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

There have been several studies exploring the most effective methods for treating bipolar disorder, with talk therapy and drug therapy being the two most popular options. Those diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder often undergo cognitive behavioral therapy and/or group therapy to learn how to manage the disorder. Typically it is also important to consider prescription drugs to help prevent the prevalence of cycling between depressive and manic episodes.

There are a wide variety of mental disorders that affect the daily lives of adults and children, Bipolar Disorder being one of them. Consistently recognized as a pattern of highs and lows, it is one of the most difficult mental disorders to live with, as without intervention, it can be difficult to control. It can also be incredibly difficult for someone to seek help during phases, as they may not realize that help is needed.

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