Overview
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).
When you're depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or enjoyment in most activities. When your mood turns into mania or hypomania (less severe than mania), you may feel euphoric, full of energy or unusually irritable. These mood swings can affect sleep, energy, activity, ability to make decisions, behavior and the ability to think clearly.
A combination of mood swings may occur rarely or several times a year. While most individuals will experience some intergroup emotional symptoms, some may experience none.
Although bipolar disorder is a chronic, lifelong condition, you can control mood swings and other symptoms with a treatment plan. In most cases, bipolar disorder is treated with medications and psychological counseling (psychotherapy).
Symptoms
There are several types of bipolar disorders and related disorders. It may include mania or hypomania and depression. Symptoms can cause unexpected changes in mood and behavior, leading to feelings of extreme distress and difficulty living.
· Bipolar I disorder. You must have had at least one manic episode that may be preceded or followed by hypomanic episodes or major depressive episodes. In some cases, mania may lead to a disconnect from reality (psychosis).
· Bipolar II disorder. You have had at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but never had a manic episode.
· Cyclothymic disorder. You have had multiple episodes of hypomanic symptoms over at least two years — or one year in children and teens — or episodes of depressive symptoms (although this is less severe than major depression).
· other kinds. These types include, for example, bipolar and related disorders caused by certain drugs or alcohol or a medical condition, such as Cushing's disease, multiple sclerosis or stroke.
Bipolar II disorder is not considered a milder form of bipolar I disorder, but it is diagnosed separately. While manic episodes of bipolar I disorder can be severe and serious, individuals with bipolar II disorder can become depressed for longer periods, which can result in significant disability.
Although bipolar disorder can occur at any age, it is usually diagnosed during the teenage years or early twenties. Symptoms may vary from person to person, and may vary over time.
Mania and hypomania
Mania and hypomania are two different types of episodes, but they have the same symptoms. Mania is more severe than hypomania and causes more noticeable problems at work, school, and social activities, as well as difficulties in relationships with others. Mania may also lead to a disconnection from reality (psychosis) and require hospitalization for treatment.
Manic and hypomanic episodes include three or more of these symptoms:
· Unnaturally optimistic, bouncy or exciting
· Increased activity, energy or excitement
· Exaggerated feelings of well-being and self-confidence (euphoria)
· Reduced need for sleep
· Unusual talkativeness
· Speeding thoughts
· Dispersion
· Poor decision making — for example, constantly overbuying, taking sexual risks or making foolish investments
An episode of severe depression
A major depressive episode involves symptoms that are so severe that they cause significant difficulty performing daily activities, such as work, school, social activities, or relationships. A seizure includes five or more of the following symptoms:
Depressed mood, such as feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or wanting to cry (depressed mood in children and teens can manifest as sensitivity to irritation)
· Noticeable loss of interest or feeling unhappiness in all — or perhaps most — activities
· Significant weight loss when not following a good diet, weight gain, or decreased or increased appetite (in children not gaining as much weight as expected may be a sign of depression)
· Either too much insomnia or too much sleep
· Either boredom or slow behavior
· Fatigue or loss of energy
· Feelings of worthlessness, extreme guilt, or inappropriateness
· Decreased ability to think or concentrate, or hesitation
· Thinking about or planning suicide
Other characteristics of bipolar disorder
Signs of bipolar I and II disorders may include other characteristics, such as anxious distress, melancholia, psychosis, etc. The timing of symptoms may include diagnostic labels such as mixed or rapid cycling. Also, bipolar symptoms may occur during pregnancy or change with the seasons.
Symptoms in children and adolescents
The symptoms of bipolar disorder can be difficult to recognize in children and teens. It is often difficult to verify whether these are normal fluctuations, results of stress or trauma, or signs of a mental health problem other than bipolar disorder.
Children and adolescents may have major depressive episodes or pronounced manic or hypomanic episodes, but the pattern can differ from that of adults with bipolar disorder. Moods can change rapidly during attacks. Some children may go through periods without mood symptoms between episodes.
The most noticeable signs of bipolar disorder in children and teens may include extreme mood swings that are different from their usual mood swings.
When do you visit the doctor?
Despite the extreme mood swings, people with bipolar disorder often don't realize how damaging their emotional instability is to their lives and the lives of their loved ones, and they don't receive the treatment they need.
If you're like some people with bipolar disorder, you may enjoy feelings of euphoria and cycles where you're more productive. However, this euphoria is almost always followed by an emotional breakdown, which can leave you depressed and exhausted — and even land you in financial, legal, or relationship trouble.
If you experience any symptoms of depression or mania, see your doctor or mental health professional. Bipolar disorder does not get better on its own. Receiving treatment from a mental health professional experienced in treating bipolar disorder can help you manage your symptoms.
If you have a loved one who is at risk of suicide or has attempted suicide before, make sure someone stays by their side.
And call the local emergency number in your country or city. Or if you can safely take this person to the nearest hospital with an emergency room, do so.