Bipolar Disorder
There are several names for bipolar disorder; they include manic depression, manic-depressive disorder and bipolar affective disorder. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is most characterize with extreme swings in mood, from extreme mania to extreme depression. Bipolar disorder is fairly common effecting nearly 5.7 million Americans.
The depression associated with bipolar disorder can be very severe where the person may have thoughts of suicide. Typically, during the depressive phase of the disorder people have thoughts of hopelessness and a disruption in sleep patterns.
The manic side of bipolar disorder causes the person to exhibit extremely euphoric feelings and appear to have a great deal of energy. During a manic period people seem restless, talk very fast, difficulty concentrating and display poor judgment.
Bipolar disorder is treatable. There are several medications on the market that can treat bipolar disorder. Finding the correct medication and the proper dosage requires some trial and error before the disorder is under control.
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
Symptoms of bipolar disorder can vary in terms of their severity and depending on the person who has the disorder. The symptoms are either that of mania or depression, but in some cases people exhibit symptoms of both mania and depression in the same mood episode. The clinical name for this is a mixed state.
Symptoms of mania include both mood changes and behavioral changes. Mood changes include long periods of time where the person is appears to be in an overly outgoing or happy mood, people in mania may also be easily irritated or agitated. They may seem jumpy or wired. The behavioral changes associated with mania include restlessness, lack of concentration, very little need for sleep, unrealistic beliefs in their abilities, impulsive and high risk behaviors, jumping form one idea to another and increasing goal driven activities.
Symptoms of depressive mood include long periods of feeling empty or worried, disinterest in things that they once enjoyed, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, change in eating habits or sleep patterns, irritability and thoughts of suicide or attempts at suicide.
Bipolar Disorder Causes
Symptoms of bipolar disorder can vary in terms of their severity and depending on the person who has the disorder. The symptoms are either that of mania or depression, but in some cases people exhibit symptoms of both mania and depression in the same mood episode. The clinical name for this is a mixed state.
Symptoms of mania include both mood changes and behavioral changes. Mood changes include long periods of time where the person is appears to be in an overly outgoing or happy mood, people in mania may also be easily irritated or agitated. They may seem jumpy or wired. The behavioral changes associated with mania include restlessness, lack of concentration, very little need for sleep, unrealistic beliefs in their abilities, impulsive and high risk behaviors, jumping form one idea to another and increasing goal driven activities.
Symptoms of depressive mood include long periods of feeling empty or worried, disinterest in things that they once enjoyed, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, change in eating habits or sleep patterns, irritability and thoughts of suicide or attempts at suicide.
