Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder characterized by abnormal changes in mood and energy levels. It involves periods of mania and depression. Some key symptoms of mania include feeling extremely happy or energetic, having racing thoughts, and making risky decisions. Depression symptoms include feelings of sadness, lack of energy, and changes in sleep and appetite. The exact causes are unknown but may involve genetic and environmental factors. Treatments include mood stabilizing medications and psychotherapy. Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million Americans and carries an increased risk of suicide.
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder characterized by abnormal changes in mood and energy levels. It involves periods of mania and depression. Some key symptoms of mania include feeling extremely happy or energetic, having racing thoughts, and making risky decisions. Depression symptoms include feelings of sadness, lack of energy, and changes in sleep and appetite. The exact causes are unknown but may involve genetic and environmental factors. Treatments include mood stabilizing medications and psychotherapy. Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million Americans and carries an increased risk of suicide.
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder characterized by abnormal changes in mood and energy levels. It involves periods of mania and depression. Some key symptoms of mania include feeling extremely happy or energetic, having racing thoughts, and making risky decisions. Depression symptoms include feelings of sadness, lack of energy, and changes in sleep and appetite. The exact causes are unknown but may involve genetic and environmental factors. Treatments include mood stabilizing medications and psychotherapy. Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million Americans and carries an increased risk of suicide.
WHAT IS BIPOLAR DISORDER? • A brain disorder that causes abnormal changes in mood, functionality, and vitality • Bipolar I Disorder: severe manic symptoms lasting at least 7 days, depressive episodes lasting at least 2 weeks • Bipolar II Disorder: depressive and hypomanic episodes, but not extreme manic symptoms of Disorder 1 • Cyclothymic Disorder: periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms lasting for at least 2 years each, but are not extreme enough to be actual manic/depressive episodes • Other Specified/Unspecified Bipolar Related Disorders: bipolar symptoms that don’t fall into any of the previous categories • All types are specifically characterized by manic and depressive symptoms SYMPTOMS MANIC EPISODES DEPRESSIVE EPISODES • Feeling extremely elated • Feelings of sadness, despair, anxiety • Increased energy etc. • No energy • Feeling “jumpy” • Irregular sleeping schedule • Having trouble sleeping or staying • Having trouble staying focused focused • Being forgetful or distracted • Talking or doing things very fast • Unhealthy eating habits • Being easily bothered • Feeling exhausted • Thoughts are scattered • Suicidal thoughts • Overestimating your abilities • Doing hazardous things CAUSES • Scientists aren’t sure of the exact cause, but have been able to identify certain factors • Neurochemical factors: B.D. occurs due to the dysfunction of neurotransmitters in the brain – Chemicals include serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline • Environmental factors: B.D. can lie dormant and be activated by a major event or be worsened by substance abuse • Genetic factors: about half the people with B. D. have a mood-related disorder in their family – Your risk increases if a parent(s) or twin has B.D. • Bipolar Disorder can spread through genetics or possibly be activated/intensified by drugs, but it is not contagious TREATMENTS • Medication and psychotherapy • Medications include: mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics, antidepressants • Psychotherapy: a variety of treatment techniques used to help a person identify and improve upon troubling feelings – Includes cognitive behavioral therapy and family-focused therapy • Bipolar Disorder is a manageable condition – It itself isn’t fatal, but can make you more likely to perform dangerous actions (suicide) STATISTICS • Approximately 5.7 million adult Americans are bipolar • 6th leading cause of disability in the world • Women are more likely to be misdiagnosed with depression and men are more likely to be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia • The average lifespan of someone with B.D. is about 9.2 years less than average • About 1/3 of young people diagnosed with depression may actually be experiencing B.D. SOURCES • “Bipolar Disorder.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml. • “Bipolar Disorder Statistics.” Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, DSBA, secure2.convio.net/dabsa/site/SPageServer/?pagename=education_statistics_bip olar_disorder. • Bressert, S. “Causes of Bipolar Disorder.” Psych Central, 20 Sept. 2017, psychcentral.com/disorders/bipolar/bipolar-disorder-causes/.
Bipolar Disorder: The complete guide to understanding, dealing with, managing, and improving bipolar disorder, including treatment options and bipolar disorder remedies!