Description

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings. These include emotional highs, also known as mania or hypomania, and low, also known as the depression. The hypomania is less extreme than mania.

When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities. When your mood shifts to mania or hypomania, you may feel very excited and happy (euphoria), full of energy or unusually irritable. These mood swings can affect sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behavior and the ability to think clearly.

Episodes of mood swings from depression to mania may occur rarely or multiple times a year. Each episode usually lasts for several days. Between episodes, some people have long periods of emotional stability. Other people can often have mood swings from depression to mania or depression and mania at the same time.

Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, you can manage your mood swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan. In most cases, health professionals, the use of medications and psychotherapy, also known as psychotherapy, to treat bipolar disorder.

Symptoms

There are several types of bipolar and related disorders:

  • Bipolar disorder I. You have had at least one manic episode that may come before or after manic or major depressive episodes. In some cases, mania may trigger a break from reality. This is called psychosis.
  • Bipolar II disorder. You have had at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode. But you've never had a manic episode.
  • Cyclothymia. You have had at least two years or one year in children and adolescents — from many periods of hypomanic symptoms and periods of depressive symptoms. These symptoms are less severe than those of major depression.
  • Other types. These types include bipolar and related disorders caused by certain drugs or alcohol, or due to a medical condition, such as Cushing's disease, multiple sclerosis, or a stroke.

These types can include mania or hypomania, which is less extreme than mania, and depression. The symptoms may cause changes in mood and behavior that cannot be predicted. This can lead to a lot of trouble and make you have a hard time in life.

Bipolar II disorder is not a milder form of bipolar disorder I. it Is a separate diagnosis. While the manic episodes of bipolar I disorder can be severe and dangerous, individuals with bipolar II disorder can be depressed for longer periods of time.

Bipolar disorder can begin at any age, but is usually diagnosed in the teenage years or early 20s. The symptoms may vary from person to person, and symptoms may vary over time.

Mania and hypomania

Mania and hypomania are different, but they have the same symptoms. Mania is more severe than hypomania. It causes more noticeable problems at work, school, and social activities, as well as getting along with others. Mania may also cause a rupture of reality, known as psychosis. You many need to stay in hospital to receive treatment.

Hypomanic and manic episodes include three or more of these symptoms:

  • Much more active, aggressive or agitated than usual.
  • The feeling of a distorted sense of well-being, or too sure of himself.
  • Need much less sleep than usual.
  • Being unusually chatty and talking fast.
  • Having racing thoughts or quickly jump from one topic to another.
  • Being easy to distract.
  • Making poor decisions. For example, you can go on buying sprees, risk taking, sexual activity, or making foolish investments.

Major depressive episode

A major depressive episode includes symptoms that are severe enough to cause you to have a difficult time doing day-to-day activities. These activities include going to work or to school, as well as take part in social activities and getting along with others.

An episode includes five or more of these symptoms:

  • Having a depressed mood. You may feel sad, empty, hopeless or tearful. Children and adolescents who are depressed may seem irritable, angry or hostile.
  • To have a marked loss of interest or feeling no pleasure in all or most activities.
  • Losing a lot of weight without following a diet, or overeating and gaining weight. When children are not gaining weight as expected, this may be a sign of depression.
  • Sleeping too much or too little.
  • Feeling restless or acting slower than usual.
  • Be very tired or losing energy.
  • Feeling worthless, feeling too guilty or feel guilty when it is not needed.
  • Having a hard time to think or concentrate, or not be able to make decisions.
  • Think, plan, or attempt suicide.

Other features of bipolar disorder

The symptoms of bipolar disorder, including the depressive episodes, you can include other features, such as:

  • Anxious distress, when you are feeling the symptoms of the anxiety and fear that you are losing control.
  • The sadness, when you feel very sad and have a profound loss of pleasure.
  • Psychosis, when their thoughts or emotions disconnect from reality.

The time of symptoms can be described as:

  • Mixed, when you have symptoms of depression and mania or hypomania at the same time.
  • Fast cycle, when you have four episodes of mood in the past year where you switch between mania and hypomania, and major depression.

Also, bipolar symptoms can occur when you are pregnant. Or the symptoms may change with the seasons.

The symptoms in children and adolescents

The symptoms of bipolar disorder can be difficult to identify in children and adolescents. It is often difficult to say whether these symptoms are the usual ups and downs or due to stress or trauma, or if they're signs of a mental health problem other than bipolar disorder.

Children and adolescents may have different major depressive or manic or hypomanic episodes. But the pattern can vary in adults with bipolar disorder. Moods can change quickly during the episodes. Some children may have periods without mood symptoms between episodes.

The most noticeable signs of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents can be severe mood swings that are not like his usual mood swings.

When to see a doctor

Despite their state of mind ends, people with bipolar disorder often don't know how much of being emotionally unstable disrupts their lives and the lives of their loved ones. As a result, they do not receive the treatment they need.

If you are like some people with bipolar disorder, you can enjoy the feelings of euphoria and of the cycles of being more productive. But an emotional shock, always follow this euphoria. This accident can leave you depressed and exhausted. Could cause you to have problems getting along with others. Also could go in financial or legal trouble.

If you have any symptoms of depression or mania, consult your healthcare or mental health professional. Bipolar disorder doesn't get better on its own. A mental health professional with experience in bipolar disorder can help you get your symptoms under control.

When to get emergency help

Thoughts of suicide and to act on these thoughts are common in people with bipolar disorder. If you are thinking of harming yourself, or if you have a loved one who is in danger of suicide or attempt suicide, get help. You can let a family member or friend, please get in contact with a direct line of suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the emergency department. In the united states, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or the use of the lifeline Chat. The services are free and confidential. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the united states has a Spanish language of the phone line in 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).

Causes

Although there is no known cause of bipolar disorder, these factors may be involved:

  • The biological differences. People with bipolar disorder appear to have physical changes in their brains. The importance of these changes is still uncertain, but more research can help to identify why these changes occur.
  • Genetics. Bipolar disorder is more common in people who have a first-degree relative, such as a sibling or parent, with the condition. Researchers are trying to find genes that can cause bipolar disorder.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder, or cause the first episode are:

  • Having a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling with bipolar disorder.
  • Periods of high stress, like the death of a loved one or other traumatic event.
  • Drug or alcohol abuse.

Complications

Left untreated, bipolar disorder can lead to serious problems that affect every area of your life, including:

  • The problems related to drugs and alcohol abuse.
  • Suicide or suicide attempts.
  • Legal or financial issues.
  • Problems getting along with others.
  • Poor work or school performance.

The conditions that occur at the same time

Sometimes what seems to be bipolar disorder may actually be the presence of another disorder. Or, the symptoms of bipolar disorder can overlap with other disorders, and you may also have another health condition that needs to be addressed along with the bipolar disorder. Some conditions that can cause the symptoms of bipolar disorder worse, or make treatment less successful.

Examples include:

  • The anxiety disorders.
  • Eating disorders.
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • Alcohol and drug abuse.
  • Borderline personality traits or disorders.
  • Physical health problems, such as heart disease, thyroid problems, headaches, or obesity.

Prevention

There is No sure way to prevent bipolar disorder. But to receive treatment as soon as you notice a mental health disorder can help stop the bipolar disorder or other mental health disorders before it gets worse.

If you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, here are some ways that you can stop minor symptoms become full episodes of mania or depression:

  • Pay attention to the warning signs. Talk with your health care team about the early symptoms may stop episodes of worsening. You may have found a pattern in the episodes in bipolar and what are its causes. Call your health professional or mental health professional if you feel you are starting to have an episode of depression or mania. Ask your family members or friends to watch for warning signs.
  • Get enough sleep. Sleep disorders often cause bipolar instability.
  • Stay away from drugs and alcohol. Drinking alcohol or taking street drugs can worsen symptoms and make them more likely to return.
  • Take your medicines as directed. You may be tempted to stop treatment, but not. Stopping the medication or lowering the dose of their own can cause withdrawal symptoms. Also, your symptoms may worsen or return.

Diagnosis

To find out if you have bipolar disorder, your evaluation may include:

  • Physical exam. Your healthcare provider may do a physical exam and lab tests to find out medical problems that may be causing your symptoms.
  • Assessment of Mental health. Your health care professional may refer you to a psychiatrist, who will talk with you about their thoughts, feelings and behavior patterns. You can also answer a series of questions. With your permission, family members or close friends may be asked to provide information about your symptoms.
  • The mood of graphics. You may be asked to keep a daily record of your moods, sleep patterns, or other factors that could help make the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Diagnosis in children

Although children and adolescents with bipolar disorder are diagnosed with bipolar disorder based on the same criteria used for adults, the symptoms in children and adolescents often have different patterns. These models do not fit neatly into the diagnostic categories.

In addition, children who have bipolar disorder are often diagnosed with other mental health conditions, such as ADHD or conduct problems. This can complicate the diagnosis. These children may need to see a child psychiatrist with experience in bipolar disorder.

Treatment

Treatment is best guided by a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats disorders of mental health (psychiatrist) who is an expert in the treatment of bipolar disorder and related disorders. Your health care team may also include a psychologist, social worker, or psychiatric nurse.

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, with treatment directed at controlling symptoms.

Depending on your needs, treatment may include:

  • Drugs. Often, you will have to start taking medication immediately to balance your mood.
  • The treatment course. You need to take your medication for the rest of your life — even when you feel better. If you don't keep taking your medicine, your symptoms may return, or minor changes of mood could turn into full-blown mania or depression.
  • Intensive outpatient programs or into a program that involves a partial stay in a hospital. These programs provide intensive support and advice that lasts a couple of hours per day for several weeks to help you get the symptoms under control.
  • Treatment for abuse of alcohol and drugs. If you have problems with alcohol or drugs, you will also need treatment for this misuse. Without this treatment, it can be very difficult to manage bipolar disorder.
  • A stay in the hospital. Your health care professional may recommend that you stay in a hospital if you are dangerous behavior or thinking about suicide, or has been detached from the reality. Receiving mental health treatment in a hospital can keep them calm and safe, and stabilize your mood. This is true if you're having a manic or major depressive episode.

The main treatments for bipolar disorder include medications and psychotherapy, also known as psychotherapy, the control of the symptoms. Treatment may also include the education and support groups.

Medications

Several medications are used to treat bipolar disorder. The types and doses of medications prescribed based on the symptoms. Usually, you will need a mood stabilizer or an antipsychotic medicine that works as a mood stabilizer.

Medications may include:

  • Mood stabilizers. Mood-stabilizing medications to help control the manic or hypomanic episodes. They can also help to depressive episodes. Examples include lithium (Lithobid), valproic acid, divalproex sodium (Depakote, Depakote ER), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR, Equetro, others) and lamotrigine (Lamictal).
  • Antipsychotics. Antipsychotic medications have mood-stabilizing properties, and many have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the manic or hypomanic episodes, or maintenance treatment. Antipsychotics can be used by themselves or with mood stabilizers. Examples of antipsychotic drugs include olanzapine (Zyprexa, Lybalvi, others), risperidone (Risperdal), quetiapine (Seroquel, Seroquel XR), aripiprazole (Abilify, Aristada, others), ziprasidone (Geodon), lurasidone (Latuda), asenapine (Saphris), lumateperone (Caplyta) and cariprazine (Vraylar).
  • Antidepressants. Your health care provider can carefully add an antidepressant to manage depression. But antidepressants can sometimes cause a manic or hypomanic episode. Antidepressants should be prescribed along with a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic medications.
  • Antidepressant-antipsychotic combination. The medication Symbyax combines the antidepressant fluoxetine and the antipsychotic olanzapine. It is approved for the treatment of bipolar depression.
  • Anti-anxiety medications. Benzodiazepines may decrease the anxiety and make you sleep better. But they are generally used on a short-term basis as it may be misused when taken for a long time.

Finding the right medication

Finding the right medication for you will probably take a little trial and error. If one is not working well for you, there may be others to deal with. Sometimes, two or three drugs are used at the same time. This process requires patience, as some medications need weeks to months to have full effect. Periodic or routine blood monitoring may be required for certain medications.

Generally, your health care professional changes only one medication at a time. This is done to find out what medications to improve the symptoms with the least bothersome side effects. Your health care professional may also need to change your medicines as a change in their symptoms.

Side effects

You may have side effects with the medications. Some side effects may improve as your healthcare provider will adjust the dose and your body gets used to the medication. Talk with your health care professional or mental health professional to find a drug that can be effective and has minimal side effects.

Do not make changes or stop taking their medications. If you stop taking your medication, you may have withdrawal symptoms or your symptoms may get worse or come back. You can become very depressed, think about suicide, or go to a manic or hypomanic episode. If you think that you need to make a change, call your health care professional.

Medications and pregnancy

Some medications for bipolar disorder can be associated with birth defects. These drugs can pass through breast milk to the baby. Each drug is different, so you should talk with your doctor. Valproic acid and divalproex sodium has a specific warning that you should avoid during pregnancy. Carbamazepine, a mood stabilizer, you can make certain birth control medicines less effective.

If possible, talk with your healthcare provider about treatment options before you get pregnant. If you are taking medication to treat his bipolar disorder and think you may be pregnant, consult your health care professional immediately.

Talk therapy

Talk therapy, also called psychotherapy, is a vital part of the treatment of bipolar disorder. This treatment can be provided in individual, family or group.

Several types of therapy can help, including:

  • Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy. This therapy focuses on the stabilization of daily rhythms, including sleep, wakefulness and eat. A consistent routine helps to control mood. A daily routine for sleep, diet and exercise may help people with bipolar disorder.
  • The cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This therapy focuses on identifying unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and replacing them with healthy, positive beliefs and behaviors. CBT can help you find what triggers episodes of bipolar. Also learn effective ways to manage stress and cope with troubling situations.
  • Psychopedagogy. Learn about bipolar disorder, also known as the psycho-educational, can help you and your loved ones to learn more about the condition. Knowing what is happening can help you get the best support, find problems, make a plan to stop the recurrence of symptoms and adherence to treatment.
  • Family-focused therapy. Family support and communication can help to keep your treatment plan. It can also help you and your loved ones to see and manage the warning signs of mood swings.

Other treatment options

Depending on your needs, your health care professional may add other treatments for depression therapy, such as:

  • Electroconvulsive therapy (ect), also known as TEC. During ECT , the electrical currents that pass through the brain, causing a brief seizure. ECT appears to change the brain chemistry, which can reverse symptoms of certain mental illnesses. Electroconvulsive therapy (ect) may be an option to treat bipolar disorder if you do not improve with medications, can't take antidepressants for health reasons, such as pregnancy, or are at high risk of suicide attempt.
  • Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, also known as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. During a series of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the treatment sessions, the magnetic waves to stimulate the brain to reduce the depression. This treatment is being studied as an option for people with bipolar disorder who have not responded to antidepressants. It is not as powerful as electroconvulsive therapy (ect).
  • The ketamine. Ketamine is also being studied as a possible treatment for bipolar depression. Some research suggests that ketamine could be a promising short-term treatment which is generally well tolerated. It has been shown to relieve the symptoms of depression and reduce suicidal thoughts — all within two weeks. But the effects of ketamine include dissociative symptoms during treatment. Patients may feel dizzy, spacey, out of it, or disconnected with reality and the environment. But some patients also report you to think more clearly and feel more connected with others. Further studies are needed to determine the role of ketamine in the long-term treatment of bipolar disorder and to create guidelines for its use.

The treatment in children and adolescents

In general, health professionals decide on treatments for children and adolescents in a case-by-case, depending on the symptoms, the medication side effects and other problems.

Generally, treatment includes:

  • Drugs. There is less research on the safety and efficacy of medications bipolar in children than in adults, so that health professionals often decide on treatment based on adult research. Children and adolescents with bipolar disorder are often prescribed the same types of medication as adults. That is because the children have taken part in a smaller number of studies. But the children may respond differently to medicines than adults. Some children may need to try more than one medication for best results.
  • Talk therapy. Initial and long-term therapy may help keep symptoms from returning. Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, can help children and teens manage their routines, to cope better, to manage learning difficulties, social problems better, and make the bonds of family and of the communication stronger. If necessary, talk therapy can treat alcohol and drug abuse problems are common in older children and adolescents with bipolar disorder.
  • Psychopedagogy. Psychoeducation may include the learning of the symptoms of bipolar disorder and how they differ in behavior related to the age of your child, the situation, and the appropriate cultural behavior. To know more about bipolar disorder can also help to support your child.
  • Support. Teachers and school counselors can help you find services. Family and friends can encourage success.

Lifestyle and home remedies

You will probably have to make lifestyle changes to stop the cycles of behavior that make bipolar disorder worse. Here are some steps to follow:

  • Stop drinking alcohol or using street drugs. One of the biggest concerns with bipolar disorder are the negative results of the risk behaviors, and drug or alcohol misuse. Get help if you have trouble quitting smoking on your own.
  • Forming healthy relationships. Surround yourself with people who are a positive influence. Friends and family members can provide support and help you see the warning signs of mood changes.
  • Create a healthy routine. Have a regular routine for sleeping, eating, and physical activity can help to balance your mood. Eat a healthy diet. If you are taking lithium, talk with your healthcare provider about the amount of fluid and salt that you must take. If you have trouble sleeping, talk with your health care professional or mental health professional about what you can do.
  • Check before you take any other medicines. Call your health professional or mental health professional before taking medicines that another health professional prescribed or supplements or medicines available without a prescription. For example, when you are taking lithium (Lithobid), you should avoid the regular use of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others). Sometimes, other drugs cause depression or mania. Or these drugs may not work well with the medications for bipolar disorder.
  • Think about keeping a mood chart. Keeping a daily log of your mood, treatments, sleep, activities, and feelings can help to identify triggers, effective treatment options, and when the treatment needs to be changed.

Alternative medicine

There is not much research on alternative or complementary medicine — sometimes called integrative medicine, and bipolar disorder. Most of the studies on major depression, so it is not clear how these non-traditional approaches work for bipolar disorder.

If you choose to use the alternative or complementary medicine in addition to the treatment that the health care professional's recommended to take some precautions in the first place:

  • Do not stop taking your prescribed medications or skip the therapy sessions. Alternative or complementary medicine does not replace regular medical care to treat bipolar disorder.
  • Be honest with your health care professional and the mental health professional. Tell them that alternative or complementary treatments to use or would like to make.
  • Beware of potential hazards. Alternative and complementary products are not regulated like prescription drugs. Just because it's natural does not mean it is safe. Before using any alternative or complementary medicine, talk with your health care professional or mental health professional about the risks, including how these treatments can cause problems with medications you are already taking.

Coping and support

Dealing with bipolar disorder can be hard. Here are some ways you can help:

  • Learn about bipolar disorder. Learning about your condition can motivate you to stick to your treatment plan and know when their mood changes. Help your family and friends to learn about what is going on.
  • Focus on your goals. Learn to manage bipolar disorder can take time. Stay motivated to keep your goals in mind and remember that you can work to repair the damaged relationships, and other problems in the mood swings of the cause.
  • Join a support group. Support groups for people with bipolar disorder can help you connect to others facing similar challenges and share what is going on with you.
  • Find healthy communication. Explore healthy ways to focus your energy, such as hobbies, exercise and recreational activities.
  • Learn ways to relax and manage stress. Yoga, massage, deep breathing, meditation or other relaxation techniques can help.

Preparing for your appointment

You can start by seeing your primary care professional or a psychiatrist. You may want to take a family member or a friend along with you to your appointment, if possible, to support and to help you remember information.

What you can do

Before your appointment, make a list of:

  • The symptoms that I had, including those that may seem unrelated to the appointment.
  • Key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • All the drugs, vitamins, herbs, or other supplements you are taking and the dose.
  • Questions to ask your health care professional.

Questions to ask your health care professional may include:

  • I have bipolar disorder?
  • There are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • What kind of proof do you need?
  • The treatments that you recommend?
  • What side effects can the treatment of the cause?
  • What are the alternatives to the treatment you suggest?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions?
  • You should see a psychiatrist or other mental health professional?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have?
  • What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider will probably ask you several questions:

  • When you or your loved ones first start noticing the symptoms?
  • How often does your mood change?
  • What do you think about suicide when you're feeling down?
  • Do your symptoms get in the way of daily life, or how well you get along with others?
  • Do you have any blood relatives with bipolar disorder or depression?
  • What other mental or physical health conditions do you have?
  • Do you drink alcohol, smoke, or chew tobacco, or illegal drugs?
  • How much can you sleep at night? Does the amount of sleep you get change with time?
  • Do you sometimes take risks that do not normally take, such as taking part in sexual relations without protection or make financial decisions that are reckless or impulsive?
  • What, if anything, it seems to make the symptoms better or worse?

Your health care professional or mental health professional will ask more questions based on your responses, symptoms, and needs. Preparing for these questions will help you make the most of your time to your appointment.

Symptoms and treatment of Bipolar disorder