In Bipolar disorder, two poles of moods are experienced, so it is called bipolar disorder. Its other name is Manic depression. Bipolar disorder is a mental condition where the patient gets mood swings and experiences two extreme emotions. The patient gets episodes of depression and mania.
During the depression episode, one feels very lethargic and sad. They lose interest in all activities and feel too low. In contrast, the manic phase is almost the opposite of depression. At this time, one feels very much energetic, impulsive, euphoric, unusual irritation, overactive, have delusions or hallucinations. These episodic changes in mood affect one's sleep, level of energy, behavior, activity, thinking capacity, and decision-making capability. In the phase between these two extreme moods, the patient feels normal. In bipolar disorder, patients have more depressive episodes compared to manic episodes.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
The different types of bipolar disorder are as follows:
- Bipolar I disorder: In this type of bipolar disorder, a patient has experienced a minimum of one manic period that either preexists or follows the severe depressive or hypomanic episode. A hypomanic episode is a milder form of mania. In certain events, mania may even cause psychosis (disintegration from reality).
- Bipolar II disorder: In this case, the patient experiences a minimum of one hypomanic episode and a minimum of one severe depression episode, but there is no episode of mania
- Cyclothymic disorder: In this type of bipolar disorder, the patient experiences multiple episodes of hypomanic symptoms and multiple episodes of depressive symptoms for a minimum of two years for adults and one year for teenagers and children. Here the depressive symptoms are not very severe.
- Other types: The disorders that are included here are the ones that are related to bipolar disorder, which usually occurs due to certain drugs, some medical conditions, or alcohol, for example, multiple sclerosis, Cushing's disorder, stroke, etc.
Reasons for Bipolar Disorder
There are multiple reasons for the occurrence of bipolar disorder, and the definite cause is yet to be found. However, some factors that are responsible are as follows:
- Genetics: It is usually an inheritable disease. The chances of bipolar disorder increase when any of your first-degree relatives, like your parents or siblings, are diagnosed with this disorder. However, the gene responsible for the disorder is not confirmed, so researchers are working on finding the causative gene.
- Biological differences: It is found that some changes are seen in the brain of the patient suffering from bipolar disorder, and the significant role of these changes is yet not confirmed, but it will be helpful to find out the cause.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
A similar pattern of manic and depressive episodes is not observed in all patients. It differs from person to person. The changes in the episodes may take weeks, months, or even years. The severity of the disorder also varies with time and person.
Bipolar disorder symptoms of Depressive episodes, “the lows,” are as follows:
- Lack of concentration
- Talking slowly
- Disliking the things that were once liked
- Feeling lethargic
- Feeling sad
- Absentmindedness
- Less sexual drive
- Irritability
- Not being able to feel pleasure
- Feeling more sleepy
- Decision-making capacity decreases
- Insomnia
- Suicidal thoughts and may even attempt suicide
- Gain or loss in weight due to a change in appetite
- Unmanageable crying
Bipolar Symptoms faced by patients during mania episodes are as follows:
- Poor concentration
- Feeling more energetic
- Need for sleep decreases
- Feeling over-excited and happy
- Drive for sex increases unusually
- A drastic change from being happy to being angry and irritated
- Speech becomes rapid
- Making big and unrealistic plans
- Restlessness
- Being more impulsive
- Loss of appetite
- Decrease in concentration level
- Self-confidence increases
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Hyperactive
- Poor decision-making capability
Also Read: Depression – Stages, Types, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
The best bipolar treatment advice is given by the doctor expert in treating bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a lifetime disorder, so good care and expert advice will help you to manage the problem. You may also look for a team of personnel that includes a social worker, psychiatric nurse, and psychologist, as there are various treatment options that can be opted for based on your symptoms which will be helpful in managing the disorder. Based on your requirements, multiple treatments are as follows:
- Medications: it is the prime treatment that will help you to stabilize your mood swings.
- Consistent treatment: bipolar disorder is a longstanding disorder; it is important that you should maintain the continuity of the medications without skipping a dose, so it should not be discontinued even during normal episodes. Discontinuation of the medication results in a relapse of the condition, starting with minor symptoms and eventually developing into a fully-fledged disorder.
- Day treatment plans: this can be considered a maintenance program. It includes counseling and support that will be provided when the symptoms are mild and manageable.
- Substance abuse treatment: this will be helpful when the patient has an addiction to any drug or alcohol.
- Admission to hospital: doctors usually recommend getting admitted to the hospital when the behavior of the patient is out of control and gets suicidal thoughts or attempts suicide.
Medications
Medication is the prime treatment for bipolar disorder. Medicines include
- Antidepressants
- Anti-anxiety medicines or sedatives like benzodiazepines help with getting sound sleep.
- Mood stabilizers like lamotrigine, valproate, or carbamazepine.
- Antipsychotic drugs like lurasidone, cariprazine, lumateperon, olanzapine, and quetiapine.
- A combination of drugs is also advisable. The combination includes mood stabilizers and antidepressant drugs.
Psychotherapy
It is also called talk therapy. It is one of the most recommended bipolar treatment options. The types of psychotherapy include the following:
- Cognitive behavior therapy: In this, all the negative and bad behaviors of the patient are identified and trained to replace them with positive behaviors. Here the patients are also taught to handle their stress and all negativity.
- Family-focused therapy: When patients get the support of their family and can even have healthy communication with their loved ones, then it will help them to a greater extent in fighting their mood swings. This way, even the loved ones of the patient will be able to recognize the early bipolar symptoms of the patient, which can then be easily worked on.
- Interpersonal and socio-rhythm therapy: This therapy focuses on maintaining the routine of the patient consistently as it will be beneficial in balancing the mood of the patient.
- Psychoeducation: Here, the family has the main role. Family should learn about and be aware of bipolar disorder. By doing this family will be able to provide the needed support to the patient when the episodes occur.
Other Treatments
Other treatment options for bipolar disorder are as follows:
- Acupuncture: This is useful in treating depression during bipolar disorder.
- Electroconvulsive therapy: The patient is given doses of electric shock which will help to balance the chemical changes in the brain. However, this is the last option for treatment.
- Supplements: Few vitamin supplements also help in treating the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
- Certain changes in the lifestyle of the patient are also advisable.
Conclusion
Consequently, it can be concluded that though bipolar disorder is a long-lasting disorder getting it diagnosed early with the help of a bipolar online test and being aware of its symptoms, and selecting the right treatment can help the patient to manage their symptoms. It is not alone the patient who needs to work, but even the near and dear ones should be active and support the patient in fighting the disorder. The support of the family will be of great help to the patient.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
