What You Need to Know About Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is not widely known to the public. So, to give the public a break, I have compiled a list of the ten things the average person should know about bipolar disorder.

1. What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that results in "mood episodes" that range from extremely elevated mood, known as mania, to extremely bleak depression. Moods can occur simultaneously, which results in the extremely taxing mixed state. About 5.7 million people in the United States are diagnosed with this disease (2).

2. Are there different types of bipolar disorder?

Yes. There are four different types of bipolar disorder, known as bipolar I, bipolar II, Cyclothymia, and bipolar NOS (Not Otherwise Specified). Bipolar I presents the most severe symptoms of mania, while bipolar II presents hypomania. Cyclothymia is considered a mild form of bipolar disorder. Bipolar NOS is basically the catchall for individuals that meet the criteria for bipolar disorder but do not fit into any particular group (1).

3. Is mania fun?

Simple answer: no. Complicated answer: Someone experiencing mania might appear to be having fun and the life of the party, but there is often a path of devastation left in the wake of unchecked mania. The destruction left behind started with credit card bills and I have still not yet seen the end of it. Plus, what goes up most certainly comes down.

4. I have good days and bad days. Does that mean I am bipolar?

Bipolar disorder is defined by extremes in behavior, so the answer is probably not.

5. Are medications involved in treatment?

Most of the time. Depending on the severity and type of bipolar disorder, the treatment may vary wildly from one patient to the other. After all, each patient is still unique (4).

6. Does bipolar disorder have physical symptoms?

Definitely. Changes in the amount of energy and sleep, as well as the patient's general health, will occur during manic and depressive episodes (3).

7. What causes bipolar disorder?

The primary suspect is genetics. However, there is evidence that some chemical, hormonal, psychological, social, and developmental factors play a part (3).

8. Can a person with bipolar disorder live a "normal" life?

Certainly. With proper treatment, the outlook is favorable, but it is likely that mood episodes will continue to occur (3).

9. What is rapid cycling?

Rapid cyclers complete more than four (sometimes many more) complete mood episodes in a year. Rapid cycling can occur in any of the four types (1).

10. When does bipolar disorder present in a patient?

Recent evidence shows that bipolar disorder can present as early as infancy, but the most common time is in the late teens and early twenties (1).

Presented above is some of the essential knowledge about bipolar disorder. This difficult illness could use a bit more understanding.

Sources:

1. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. 2009. http://www.dbsalliance.org

2. eMedicineHealth.2009. http://www.emedicinehealth.com/bipolar_disorder/article_em.htm

3. Hales, Dianne and Robert E. Hales, M.D. Caring for the Mind: The Comprehensive Guide to Mental Health. New York: Bantam Books, 1995.

4. National Institute of Mental Health. 2009. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/complete-index.shtml