Bipolar Disorder

About Bipolar Disorder:

Bipolar disorder is a fairly common affliction that is also known as bipolar affective disorder, manic depressive disorder, and manic depression. It is a mood disorder often characterized by excessive elevation (mania or hypomania) followed by deep depressive episodes. Usually these episodes are separated by “normal” periods, although some individuals suffer from rapid cycling, where the shift from mania to depression occurs continuously. Bipolar is typically divided into three categories: bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymia.

Bipolar I:   

Bipolar I is usually diagnosed when the individual experiences one or more manic episodes or mixed episodes  (when mania and depression occur simultaneously) and one or more depressive episodes. Bipolar I won’t be diagnosed until substance-induced mood disorder (such as from exposure to toxins or actual drug abuse) and mood disorder from a general medical condition are ruled out entirely. Doctors are also careful to look for signs of schizophrenia. Treatment for bipolar I can involve the use of lithium carbonate, anticonvulsants, and/or electro-convulsive therapy.

Bipolar II:

Bipolar II disorder is characterized by at least one hypomanic episode (similar to manic, but slightly less agitated) and at least one depressive episode. With bipolar II, depressive episodes are far more frequent and intense than hypomanic episodes. Often times, doctors will underdiagnose bipolar II because the hypomanic element can mask itself as high-functioning behavior.  Bipolar II disorder is usually best treated with mood stabilizers such as anti-depressants. There are also many non-medication therapies that have indicated success at managing the disorder. It is ultimately incurable, however.

Cyclothymia:

Cyclothymia is a milder strain of bipolar II disorder. The afflicted individual exhibits recurrent mood disturbances, vacillating from hypomania to dysthymic (similar to depression but milder on the spectrum) episodes. If there is a history of actual mania or any major depression, cyclothymia is always ruled out. It appears evenly between men and women, though women are more likely to seek help in an attempt to rectify the situation. If symptoms have been present for two years, and the patient is clearly not experiencing symptoms of extraordinary highs and lows, they most assuredly are cyclothymic.

Signs of Bipolar Disorder:

Unfortunately, there are no scientific tests that can be run to detect bipolar disorder. Doctor’s rely on patients descriptions of their symptoms. Even the most expertly trained medical personnel still have difficulty diagnosing bipolar disorder. Signs can vary from person to person. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that there is a way to distinguish between unipolar depression (strict depression without the mania) and bipolar disorder, because those suffering from bipolar will always vacillate between moods.

Depressive vs. Manic:

Depression and mania are two extremes as far as behavior runs with bipolar disorder. Depression usually manifests itself as excessive sadness. Bipolar depression sufferers also experience mixtures of anxiety, guilt, anger and hopelessness. They lose interest in the day to day activities, and may demonstrate extreme lethargy with regard to all areas of life. Those suffering from bipolar mania, on the other hand, show extreme distress and agitation. They lose the ability to concentrate and may feel completely out of control. Now, imagine these two extreme behaviors occurring over and over again in the same person: this is bipolar disorder.

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