Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive illness. In this disorder, there are extreme shifts in moods, visible changes in physical activity, energy levels, and daily routine activities. Usually, the shift is between extremely high energy levels and low energy levels. The periods of high energy levels are known as manic-episodes, whereas the periods of low energy levels are termed as depressive-episodes.
Bipolar-disorder is common in both men and women, but in women, rapid mood swings are more significant. About 50% of total bipolar disorder cases happen before the age of 25 years. Some people have their first incidence in childhood.
Let us have a look at how a person may feel or think. When an individual is in manic-episode, he may feel himself the richest man on the planet with a feeling that he can do everything. When he is in depressive-episode, he thinks he is a poor guy, and soon he will die because he is a criminal too. In other words, some psychotic symptoms like hallucination, superstitions, and delusions are also observed in them.
In manic-episodes, there is trouble sleeping, a person feels highly energetic, and the thought process is very up. He may become very agitated and touchy without any reason. There is an increased sex drive during manic-episodes. Taking a risk and doing adventurous activities appeal to a manic person.
In depressive-episodes, an individual feel very lazy and tired. He seems to be lost and angry. In this depressive state, he thinks himself useless, and his mind is full of suicide thoughts.
Signs and symptoms are very clear in bipolar disorder. You may observe severely changed patterns of emotions, behavior, sleep, and activity. A person who is going through this bipolar-disorder thinks himself as normal, but the family and friends confirm changed behaviors.
There are four types of bipolar disorder. The first type is a bipolar one disorder, and it is a mixture of both manic and depressive episodes. In this manic episode last for seven days while depressive-episode lasts for two weeks.
The second type is bipolar two disorder. It is a combination of depressive and hypomanic-episode. Hypomanic means a person is less energetic as compared to its manic-episode. This type is more significant in females as compared to the male population.
In the cyclothymic disorder that is the third type of bipolar disorder, a person may have spent a past year of a depressive or manic episode in his teen or adolescent age. Other bipolar disorders also exist that do not match above mentioned three types, so those reported cases accomplish in type 4.
In bipolar disorder, mood episodes are very prominent. The usual behavior of an individual drastically changes from the predictable one. There may be some underlying complications that may result in this disorder. Attention deficit persons with anxiety and substance abuse are at a higher risk of developing this disease. Surrounding environment and genetics also play a crucial role in determining the risk factor.
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness. However, treatment may help a person to get control of his emotions and mood swings. It is a repetitive disorder a person keeps going on shifting between manic and depressive episodes. Proper medication, attention, and having a healthy conversation can be an effective therapy for treatment. Medications for bipolar disorder include mood stabilizers and anti-depressants. Doctors prescribe the intra-personal, family, and cognitive therapies for effective treatment along with medications.
In bipolar-disorder, some individuals are free of mood sing, but they still show other signs and symptoms. Omega’s rich diet for example fish, eggs, nuts, and seeds, show betterment in persons during depressive-episodes but results are not positive for manic-episodes.