Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, also known as
manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a
person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups
and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are
severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job, or school
performance, and even suicide. More than 2 million American adults, or about
one percent of the population age 18 and older in any given year, have bipolar
disorder. Bipolar disorder typically develops in late adolescence or early
adulthood. On average, a person will receive a
diagnosis around the age of 25 years, but symptoms can appear during the
teenage years or later in life. It affects males and females equally. It is often not recognized as an illness, and
people may suffer for years before it is properly diagnosed and treated. Like
diabetes or heart disease, bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that must be
carefully managed throughout a person's life. The first episode may be either
manic or depressive. Manic episodes, typically lasting from a few weeks to
several months, are generally shorter in duration and end more abruptly than
major depressive episodes. There are four types of bipolar disorders they
are Bipolar I disorder: is the classic form of
the illness, as well as the most severe type of bipolar disorder. It is
characterized by at least one manic episode or mixed episode. Bipolar II: Mania is not involved in bipolar II disorder. Instead, the
illness involves recurring episodes of major depression and hypomania, a milder
form of mania. Cyclothymia: is a milder form of bipolar disorder. Like bipolar
disorder, cyclothymia consists of cyclical mood swings. However, the highs and
lows are not severe enough to qualify as either mania or major depression. To
be diagnosed with cyclothymia, people must experience numerous periods of
hypomania and mild depression over at least a two-year time span. Other specified or unspecified : Those who do not meet
the diagnosis criteria for bipolar I, bipolar II, or cyclothymic disorder but
still experience significant mood swings and mood elevation will be diagnosed
with Bipolar disorder “other specified” or “unspecified”.
Psychotherapy, also called “talk therapy,” can
be an effective part of the treatment plan for people with bipolar disorder.
Psychotherapy is a term for a variety of treatment techniques that aim to help
a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. There
are different types of medications can help control symptoms of bipolar
disorder. Not everyone responds to medications in the same way. Mood stabilizers
are the mainstay of long -term prevention and treatment for both mania and
depression. They improve symptoms during acute manic, hypo manic, and mixed
episodes and may also reduce symptoms of depression. Lithium was the first mood
stabilizer approved by the FDA. Antidepressants may be prescribed to treat
symptoms of depression in bipolar disorder. Because antidepressants can
increase the risk of mania or hypo mania or of developing rapid cycling
symptoms, they typically are prescribed only in combination with mood stabilizers.
Other treatment is Psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, family
therapy, interpersonal therapy. Next, is Electroconvulsive therapy is use in cases
when medication and psychotherapy do not work.
References:
Bipolar
disorder ,https://www.helpguide.org/articles/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-disorder-treatment.html
, accessed September,09,2020
Bipolar
disorder fact sheet,https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/evidence-and-research/learn-more-about/463-bipolar-disorder-fact-sheet,
accessed September,09,2020
Bipolar
disorder,https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355961
, accessed September,09,2020
Hello Shristi,
ReplyDeleteI remember while at community college learning about bipolar disorder in psychology. I’ve actually been associated with people with this disorder. It happens to run in my family, not very strong but a couple members do have it. What I never knew was that there are two types with Bipolar I being the most severe. What I found interesting as well as unfortunate while reading your post was the fact that people suffer from this disorder from years before being both diagnosed and treated. Though bipolarism isn’t exactly curable it’s nice to know that there are treatments effective for achieving long-term positive outcomes. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post.