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Bipolar Disorder

APSARA KATUWAL DANGOL

Bipolar Disorder
It is known as manic-depressive illness. It is a brain disorder having characters like a change in mood, energy, the level of activity in the day to day life.It has two episodes, manic and depressive episodes. Manic episodes deal with the period of extremely up, elated and energized behavior. If it is less severe, it is known as hypomania. Depressive episodes deal with very sad, down and hopeless periods.

i. Bipolar I Disorder: In this type of disorder, a person has manic episodes for at least 7 days. The person can have severe manic symptoms lasting at least two weeks. There can be mixed features(depressive and manic symptoms) also.

ii. Bipolar II Disorder: In this type of disorder, a person has hypomanic and depressive episodes.

iii. Cyclothymic Disorder: It is also known as Cyclothymic. In this type of disorder, there is numerous period of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms lasting at least for two years. But in the case of children and adolescents, both manic and depressive symptom is seen for at least for 1 year.

iv. Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorder: If it doesn't include above three categories symptoms, it is unspecified.



Causes of Bipolar Disorder
i. Biological differences in brain,
ii.Due to Genetics,
iii. Family History

Sign and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Manic Episodes
i. Feeling very up, high and elated,
ii. High energy level,
ii. The increment in activity level,
iv. Abnormally upbeat,  jumpy or wired
v. Trouble sleeping,
vi. Restless,
vii. Agitated, irritable, or touchy,
viii. Racing thoughts,
ix. Multitask in nature,
x. Takes risk
Depressive Episodes
i. Feeling very sad, down, hopeless,
ii. Low energy level,
iii. A decrement in activity level,
iv. Trouble sleeping but sleeps little or too much,
v. Slowed behavior,
vi. Worried and empty,
vii. Forget things a lot,
viii. Feel usually tired,
ix. Thinks about death or suicide

Diagnosis
After the physical exam, if there is no problem physically then a person is referred to mental health professionals to see if any abnormal disorder is present. After diagnosis, treatment has proceeded if necessary with medications.

 Effects of Bipolar Disorder
i. Bipolar Disorder affects work, school, relationship, physical health and many aspects of life threatening,
ii. Psychological effects in manic episodes include auditory and visual hallucination, delusions, anxiety, agitation, aggression, paranoia, obsessive worried, out of control, heightened mood, racing thoughts,
iii. Psychological effects in depressive episodes include sadness, helpless, hopeless, worthless, guilt, pessimism, indifference, thoughts of death, suicide, unable to concentrate and cannot enjoy life.
iv. Physical effects of Bipolar Disorder includes substance abuse problems, hyperactivity, change in appetite, changes in sleep pattern, trouble breathing, racing speech, socially withdrawal, lack of energy, poor health, weight gain, blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, lethargy, aches, and pain.

 Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
The combination of both medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy) is important for treatment. It is a life long illness but some can be free of mood changes but some can have symptoms for the long term. Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (ISRT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Psychoeducation and Family Focused Therapy can be very beneficial for the treatment.

Medications
Mood Stabilizers like Lithium (Lithobid), Valproic acid (Depakene), Divalproex sodium (Depakote), Carbamazepine (Tegretol ),  helps in controlling manic and hypomanic episodes. Antipsychotics like Olanzapine (Zyprexa), Risperidone (Risperidone), Quetiapine (Seroquel), Aripiprazole(Abilify), Ziprasidone(Geodon), Lurasidone (Latuda), or Asenapine (Saphris), etc helps in controlling depression or manic. Antidepressants are used for depression which is prescribed with a mood stabilizer and or antipsychotic.

About Writer

Apsara Katuwal Dangol, is writer, educator, and psychosocial counselor. She writes articles which covers topics related to general and developmental psychology. She teaches to MA Clinical Psychology students as Developmental Psychology Mentor at Tri-Chandra College, and General Psychology at Shubhashree College of Management.



References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder
https://medlineplus.gov/bipolardisorder.html
https://www.healthyplace.com/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-information/effects-of-bipolar-disorder
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20308001
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/dxc-20307970
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Bipolar-disorder/Pages/Treatment.aspx
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml
http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/ss/slideshow-bipolar-disorder-overview




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