What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar is a mood disorder in which people have extreme mood swings. Emedicinehealth.com states that about 5.7 million in the USA have this disorder. Bipolar is a long-term illness. People will need to be treated through their whole lives. A twenty year study defined bipolar by a "low rate of recovery, and a high rate of recurrence". This disorder is characterized into three categories: bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymia.

Sufferers experience manic and depression phases. During the manic phase a person can have increased activity, high self-esteem, bad judgment, racing thoughts, a decreased need for sleep, problems controlling their temper, irritability, talking fast, and they may even have psychotic symptoms. During the depression phase a person can experience excessive worrying and guilt, sadness, crying spells, loss of energy, change in sleep patterns, changes in appetite or weight, feelings of worthlessness, trouble concentrating, social withdrawal, and thoughts of death or suicide. Other problems can arise from this disorder including conduct disorders, eating disorders, ADD or ADHD, migraines, and anxiety. Most symptoms occur during the late teens but can be diagnosed as early as childhood. The average onset of symptoms is twenty-one. A diagnosis is based on self-reported experiences, as well as observed behavior.

There isn't no known cause for bipolar. Many refer to it as a chemical imbalance in the brain. Studies have shown that genetics, life experiences, neural, and psychological processes have a big role in the cause of bipolar. This disorder is often treated with mood stabilizers and antidepressants, like Prozac. The most widely used mood stabilizer is lithium. Sometimes the medications are right the first time, therefore, they need to be changed until they are right. Most people on the medications do extremely well. Psychotherapy may play a big part in an individual's recovery as well. Recurrence can occur if an individual stops taking their medications, being over- or under-medicated, bad sleep patterns, caffeine, stress, or the self-medicating with drugs and/or alcohol.

This is a serious disorder, in which, if a person has it they need to get treatment. Bipolar can affect jobs, family, and relationships. Inbetween the manic and depression phases a person will seem normal. Bipolar is life-threatening. It can lead to suicide, risky behavior, and sometimes homicide. Family support, counseling, and group therapy can be a big help with this disorder. This is a widespread disorder that people need help with and need to be educated about.

Sources: "Bipolar Disorder."Wikipedia.org

Mara Aloi, "Bipolar Disorder."Emedicinehealth.com