10 Common Facts You Should Know About Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a psychiatric diagnosis given to those who have a mental health condition that, in part, is characterized by severe swings in mood from hypomania to severe depression, and all stages in between the two.

Characteristics that are common to bipolar disorder are also common to other illnesses and may be stand-alone conditions. Some of these are: being easily distracted, being restless, impulsive behavior, changes in eating and sleeping habits, or suicide attempts. This can lead to misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose.

While treatable with therapy or medications, bipolar disorder usually lasts for a lifetime. Half of all cases manifest before the age of 25.

There are four types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, bipolar disorder not otherwise specified and cyclothymia. The types differ in the length and severity of the manic and depressive episodes.

Other illnesses often coexist with bipolar disorder. Among these are substance abuse involving drugs or alcohol, anxiety disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social phobia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

People with bipolar disorder are also at higher risks for certain medical conditions. They may be causes of the symptoms of mania or depression or be the result of treatment for bipolar disorder. These are a higher risk for thyroid disease, migraine headaches, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other physical illnesses.

Causes of bipolar disorder vary among individuals, but it tends to run in families, so genetics is one of those causes. Research is also showing an environmental element to the development of the disorder. Life events and interpersonal relationships contribute to the likelihood of onsets and recurrences of the moods related to the disorder.

Proper diagnosis should be made by a medical or psychiatric professional who is experienced in diagnosing and treating the illness. Thorough tests and history of the patient and their family must be taken into account, as well as talking with spouses and close relatives to gain accurate knowledge of the person's symptoms.

Bipolar disorder can be treated, but not cured. Treatment can give better control over symptoms and reduce their severity.

Resources

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Website

Wikipedia Article on Bipolar Disorder

HealthyMinds.Org, Website of the American Psychiatric Association