Bipolar Disorder

There are mental disorders that can be described by the disturbance in an individual’s mood. These mental disorders are called mood disorders. The mood disturbance can be severe and may include depression, mania, or hypomania, or any combination of these.

There is a certain type of mood disorder called bipolar disorder. It involves mood swings from elation to depression without identifiable external cause. The patient experiences swings from depression to mania. In the manic phase of this disorder, the patient may show extreme, unwarranted excitement. They may also show poor judgment and recklessness and may be argumentative. A manic person may speak rapidly, have unrealistic ideas, and jump from subject to subject. They possibly cannot sit still for very long. These symptoms are major characteristics of bipolar disorder for a certain period of time lasting for a few months. Hospitalization can often be necessary to keep the person from harming themselves and others. Bipolar disorder has another side, the depressive episode. Bipolar depressed patients often sleep more than usual and are lethargic. This contrasts with those with major depression, who usually has trouble sleeping and is agitated. During bipolar depressive episodes, a patient may also show irritability and withdrawal.

There is still no identifiable reasons as to what causes mood disorders. There are chemicals in the brain, called endorphins, that are responsible for positive moods. Other chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters, regulate endorphins. Most likely, depression and other mood disorders are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Life events such as unwanted changes in life may also contribute to a depressed mood. Also, genetic factors could be a prospect in causing bipolar disorder. Since it is related to depression, a gene may be responsible for the occurrence of the disorder. And this gene may be triggered by the environment, such as serious life-changing events. Evidence suggests that environmental factors play a significant role in the development and course of bipolar disorder, and that individual psychosocial variables may interact with genetic dispositions.

There are long-term studies that people who develop bipolar disorder have shown subtle early traits of sub-threshold cyclical mood abnormalities, full major depressive episodes, and possibly ADHD with mood fluctuation . There may be hypersensitivity and irritability. There is some disagreement whether the experiences are chronic. A record of stimulant utilize in childhood is found in high numbers of bipolar patients and has been found to be a reason of an earlier onset of bipolar disorder, worse clinical course, independent of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Mood stabilizer medications are usually used to cure bipolar disorder. Psychiatric drugs are sometimes used. Psychotherapy also has a role, often when there has been some recovery of stability. In severe cases in which there is a threat of harm to oneself or others involuntary commitment may be used; these cases usually entail severe manic episodes with depressive episodes with suicidal intention.

Making a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is quite a complicated case. The reason is due to the fact that the pattern of highs and lows varies in every patient. For some people, mania or depression can last for weeks or months, even for years. For some, bipolar disorder takes the form of frequent and dramatic mood shifts.

According to Michael Aronson, MD, a clinical psychiatrist, there’s a whole spectrum of symptoms and mood changes that have been found in bipolar disorder.Dramatic mood swings is not always the characteristic of bipolar disorder. In fact, some people seem to get along just fine. There is productivity even in manic periods. They think things are going great. The threat comes when the mania grows much worse. The change can be very dramatic, with catastrophic results. People can get involved in reckless behavior, spend a lot of money, there may be sexual promiscuity, sexual risks. The depressed phases can be equally dangerous: Frequent thoughts of suicide can really harm.