ABSTRACT – Bipolar disorder or formerly known as Manic Depressive Illness is a lifelong neurological condition that causes changes...
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar Disorder or formerly known as Manic Depressive Illness is a lifelong neurological condition that causes changes in mood, activity level and energy. When the mood is elevated, it is called mania or hypomania. When there is a decrease in energy level, it is known as depression.
Types of Bipolar disorders:
Bipolar I Disorder: The person suffers from either maniac symptoms for 1 week or depression for 2 weeks or sometimes even both. Here, the maniac episodes are so severe that the person has to be immediately admitted to the hospital.
Bipolar II Disorder: In this type, the person suffers from a pattern of depressive and hypomanic periods.
Cyclothymia (Cyclothymic Disorder): The person suffering from this type has numerous episodes of hypomanic as well as depressive symptoms lasting for 2 years (1 year in children and adolescents).
Other specified and unspecified Bipolar Disorders: Symptoms other than mentioned above come under this type.
CAUSES –
Genetics
Environmental factors
Neurological factors like trauma, multiple sclerosis etc.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS –
Manic and hypomanic episodes like racing thoughts, unusual talkativeness etc.
Depressive periods like fatigue, feeling of worthlessness etc.
Mixed episodes
Comorbid conditions eating disorder, social phobia etc.
Associated features like impaired memory, reduced concentration etc.
Anxious distress and melancholy
Children and teenagers suffering from this condition show severe distinctive manic or depression periods.
DIAGNOSIS –
There is no particular diagnostic test for Bipolar Disorder. The only way to diagnose it is by eliminating other disease conditions since they have similar symptoms. The test for the same includes:
Differential diagnosis
Bipolar spectrum
Rapid cycling
TREATMENT –
Psychotherapy
Medications
Lithium
Mood stabilizers like anticonvulsants
Antipsychotics
Antidepressants
Alternative medicines like Omega-3 fatty acids
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
RISK FACTORS –
Genetics
Alcohol or drug abuse
High stress
Brain structure and functioning
COMPLICATIONS –
If this condition is not treated, it can lead to severe problems like:
Suicidal attempts
Relationship problems
Problems related to drug and alcohol use
Financial or legal problems
Hindrance in performance
Along with Bipolar disorder, the patient may also suffer from:
Physical health problems like headache, thyroid etc.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Eating disorder
Anxiety disorder
EPIDEMIOLOGY –
Late adolescence and early adulthood are the major age groups for the onset of Bipolar Disorder.
This condition is found more in developing countries than in developed countries.
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