FAQ: Living with and Understanding Bipolar Disorder

Two years ago my cousin was diagnosed with bipolar disorder upon his parents deciding that something wasn't quite normal about him. While I wasn't directly affected by the news, I was encouraged by my parents just to learn a bit about the disorder. Here are ten common questions that you may have about this psychiatric diagnosis:

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis which most commonly consists of periods of mania and depression. Unlike those found in most people, which consists of mild highs and lows, the highs and lows of those suffering from bipolar disorder can be extremely severe, and possibly dangerous.

How Common is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is far more prevalent than you would expect. Nearly 1% of all American adults (over age 18) are diagnosed with bipolar disorder; that ends up being about 2,000,000 Americans. To give you a relative sense of range, about 1% of Americans have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, 2.7% have Panic Disorder, and 1.1% have Schizophrenia. This is one of the more common disorders, behind those especially common like anxiety disorders, which is diagnosed in 18.1% of the American population.

How Dangerous is Bipolar Disorder?

During periods of mania, it is not uncommon for someone with bipolar disorder to hurt themselves or others because of their decreased sense of risk and increased energy. During periods of depression, suicide can be far more common.

Is There Treatment?

As of now, there is no known treatment for curing this disorder; however, there are several medications on the market that can be prescribed to mitigate its effect. On the other hand, they can often be expensive and hard to access.

Does this Mitigated Treatment Always Work?

While the pharmaceutical treatment can be extremely helpful, those diagnosed with bipolar disorder run a different risk. Often, after feeling normal for several weeks, they will believe that the medication has caused them to recover. They will stop using the medication and soon fall back into manic and depressive periods. In reality, the medication must always be used and full recovery is very uncommon.

Does Gender Play a Role in Bipolar Disorder?

While some statistics may say that more women are diagnosed with the disorder, it is most likely because more women have been proven to participate in treatment. Actually, men and women are likely to develop the disorder equally and gender does not play a role.

Can you Test for Bipolar Disorder?

No, you can't. As of now, nothing can test your blood to find traces of the disorder in you. After seeing symptoms, the only way to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder is to consult your doctor.

I've Heard of Mania and Depression, but What's Hypomania?

While the distinction between mania and hypomania can be fuzzy, in general, those diagnosed with hypomania will have a less severe period of mania. In addition, unlike during episodes of mania, the delusions of those diagnosed with bipolar disorder are never present.

What is Rapid Cycling?

For most diagnosed with bipolar disorders, they will have severe mood swings every three to six months. Rapid cycling, on the other hand, is clinical classification to those who have four or more mood swings per year.

Where Can I Learn More about Bipolar Disorder?

The Internet has an abundance of material on causes, diagnoses, treatments, and speculations. Often, you can use Google to search about bipolar disorder which will give you general and helpful information. If you'd like a link to visit to learn more about this disorder, you can click here.

Sources:

"How Common is Bipolar Disorder?." The Health Center.
"Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression) Frequently Asked Questions and Answers." Pendelum.org.
"Bipolar Disorder." Wikipedia.org.
"The Number Count: Mental Disorders in America." National Institute of Mental Health.
"Bipolar Suicides." Bipolar Lives.
"Are Men or Women More Likely to Develop Bipolar Disorder." ABC News.