Bipolar Disorder: The Truths About This Manic-Depressive Disorder

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), more than two million Americans are now affected with bipolar disorder. In Asia, though cases remain largely undocumented, it is believed that roughly as much, or even more, are also affected.

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder, is a psychiatric condition that is characterized by unusual shifts in mood. An affected person might shift from an excessively euphoric, excited state (mania) to periods of apparent normality (euthymia), to extreme hopelessness and depression. A milder form, hypomania, may be present in some patients. Some may also experience hallucinations and delusions.

This illness could be potentially crippling for sufferers. A typical profile of a sufferer includes numerous days out of work and school, damaged relationships with others as a result of misunderstanding, poor performance, and even suicidal tendencies. For example, Isaac (not his real name), had bipolar disorder since high school. Now, in college, he often takes a leave from school when symptoms get worse, and gets hospitalized for weeks. When he's extremely excited, he gets very impulsive and laughs uncontrollably. When he's depressed, he contemplates suicide and gets aggressive.

According to psychiatrists, only about 30 percent of patients get treated for the disorder. This gives bipolar disorder the lowest treatment rate among all psychological disorders. What makes treatment even difficult is non-compliance among patients, due to side effects of medication. Common medication for the manic-depressive disorder often leaves patients lethargic or overexcited. Often, this disorder overlaps with the symptoms of other major psychological disorders, and this causes misdiagnosis and mistreatment.

Bipolar disorder has no cure. Hence, patients are expected to go on a lifetime course of medication. However, people affected with bipolar disorder could lead productive, relatively symptom-free lives with timely intervention. Interventions could consist of medication, and sessions with a psychologist to identify causes and triggering events of manic-depressive episodes.

Bipolar disorder is an illness that can be controlled with proper management and medication. It is important to recognize symptoms early on, in order to give a sufferer a chance at a full and productive life.