Bipolar Disorder: What is it?

Manic. Depression. Up. Down. Rapid Cycling. A-typical. All of these are terms that refer to a mood disorder called Bipolar. The National Institute of Mental Health defines bipolar as "a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks." The NIMH also says that the symptoms are severe but I do not agree. They can be as minuscule as feeling a bit blue during the day to as severe as not being able to get out of bed.

There is no one thing that will cause bipolar because it is combination of multiple factors including genetics, brain structure and function. 

This disorder just presents itself in late teens early 20's with over 50% of cases being diagnosed before age 25. There are two sets of symptoms because there is two sides to bipolar. Manic and Depression.

Manic is the extreme excitement (high) and its symptoms are:

• Extended feeling of being "high" or extremely happy
• Irritability
• racing thoughts
• Being easily distracted
• Being overly restless
• Sleeping little or not being tired
• Behaving impulsively and engaging in pleasurable, high-risk behaviors

Depression is the extreme sadness (low) and its symptoms are

• An overly long period of feeling sad or hopeless
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex
• Constantly feeling tired
• Difficulties with concentration or decision making
• Thoughts of suicide or dying
• Feelings of guilt or hopelessness
• Change in diet causing weight fluctuation

Unfortunately bipolar cannot be cured but there are many types of treatment. One of the most common is medications such as mood stabilizers, anti depressants, and anti psychotics. Other types of treatment include psychotherapy, electroconvulsive, and herbal supplements.

There are 4 common psychotherapies and they are:

• Psycho-education: educating those with bipolar about the illness and treatments. This is helpful because it can help the patient predict moodswings and start treatment before they get out of hand.
• Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy: helps the individual manage relationships with others and their daily routine.
• Family focused therapy: meant for both the patient and their family. Provides improved communication and family coping strategies.
• Cognitive Behavioral therapy: used to change negative behaviors and thoughts.

The final point I am going to touch on is diagnosis.There are five main types:

1. Bipolar I: classified by manic and/or mixed episodes 7 days in length and 2 week long depressive.
2. Bipolar II: classified by a rotation of depressive and hypomanic episodes with no definitive manic or mixed episodes.
3. Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (BP-NOS): This is the diagnosis when the patient does not fit the symptoms of bipolar I or II. They are still diagnosed with bipolar because they are clearly deviating from their normal behavior. 
4. Cyclothymic Disorder, or Cyclothymia: The most mild form of the illness can be displayed in the presentation of hypomania and mild depression for a period of a minimum of two years
5. Rapid-cycling Bipolar Disorder: A brutal form of the mental illness that is diagnosed when the patient goes  has more than 3 episodes of the stages within one year.

Although Bipolar cannot be diagnosed through these, doctors will use blood tests and a physical exam to exlude any other possible illnesses that may be causing the symptoms. After the doctor has concluded that bipolar is a strong possibility, they will contact someone who is familiar with bipolar and its symptoms.

Both the doctor and mental health professional will want a detailed family and personal medical history because there have been cases that have been misdiagnosed as just depression or even ADHD/ADD. Bipolar has been found to also happen along side ADHD, various anxiety disorders and has unexplored connection to substance abuse.

Now that I feel you have been thoroughly introduced to the topic of bipolar I will tell you how it applies to my life.

-Shinara Newton