Bipolar Disease (Manic Depression)
Bipolar disorder, often referred to as manic depression, is a serious illness of
extreme highs and lows that tends to worsen over time if left untreated. Doctors aren't
sure what causes bipolar disorder, but it often runs in families. With proper medication
and therapy, it is a manageable illness.
From high to low. From euphoria to depression. From recklessness to listlessness.
These are the extremes associated with bipolar disorder, which can be a serious and
disabling mental illness. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depression or
manic-depressive illness - manic behavior is one extreme of this disorder and
depression is the other.
Bipolar disorder often begins in adolescence or early adulthood and may persist
throughout life. The causes of bipolar disorder are elusive, and there's no cure.
The flares of bipolar disorder may last for weeks or months, causing great
disturbances in the lives of those affected, their friends and their families. Left
untreated, the condition usually worsens. But bipolar disorder can be managed with
medications and other therapies.
Signs and symptoms
Bipolar disorder is characterized by an
alternating pattern of emotional highs
(mania) and lows (depression). The intensity of the associated signs and symptoms
varies. Bipolar disorder can range from a mild condition to a severe condition, and there
may be periods of normal behavior.
Manic phase
For many people, signs and symptoms in the manic phase may include:
Feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism and inflated self-esteem
Rapid speech, racing thoughts, agitation and increased physical activity
Poor judgment
Recklessness or taking chances not normally taken
Difficulty sleeping
Tendency to be easily distracted
Inability to concentrate
Aggressive behavior
Depressive phase
In the depressive phase, signs and symptoms include:
Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt or hopelessness
Disturbances in sleep and appetite
Fatigue and loss of interest in daily activities
Problems concentrating
Irritability
Chronic pain without a known cause
Recurring thoughts of suicide
Causes
Doctors and researchers don't know exactly what causes bipolar disorder. But a variety
of biologic, genetic and environmental factors seem to be involved in causing and
triggering episodes of this illness.
Evidence indicates that differences in the chemical messengers between nerve cells in
the brain (neurotransmitters) occur in people who have bipolar disorder. In many
cases, people with a bipolar disorder may have a genetic disposition for the disorder.
The abnormality may be in genes that regulate neurotransmitters. However, not
everyone with a family member who has bipolar disorder will develop the disease.
Factors that may contribute to or trigger episodes of bipolar disorder include drug
abuse and stressful or psychologically traumatic events.
Risk factors
Bipolar disorder tends to run in families. A family history of depression appears to exist
in 80 percent to 90 percent of cases of bipolar disorder. Researchers are attempting to
identify genes that may make people susceptible to bipolar disorder.
When to seek medical advice
People with bipolar disorder often don't recognize how impaired they are when
experiencing a mood episode and how greatly the disorder is affecting their lives and
the lives of others. Friends, family and primary care physicians are all important in
recognizing possible signs of bipolar disorder and urging the person to seek
professional help.
If a family member or friend shows signs of bipolar disorder.
Screening and diagnosis
Your doctor may ask you or a family member who has accompanied you about your
signs and symptoms and to describe apparent episodes of mania and depression.
Diagnosis also involves ruling out other mental health conditions that may produce
some symptoms similar to bipolar disorder. These may include other mood disorders,
sometimes schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or borderline
personality disorder.
You may also undergo tests to see if your mood swings are due to physical causes,
such as:
Substance abuse. Abuse of alcohol, marijuana and cocaine may affect your moods.
Thyroid disorders. A blood test for thyroid function can determine whether you have a
thyroid disorder, such as an underactive thyroid.
Your doctor may also ask about your use of medications, alcohol and recreational
drugs and about your diet. Certain medications including corticosteroids, such as
prednisone, and medications used to treat depression, anxiety and Parkinson's
disease can cause mood swings. Abuse of alcohol and recreational drugs also can
cause mood swings. Deficiency of vitamin B-12 may alter moods as well.
Complications
Other problems, such as anxiety disorder or alcoholism,
may affect people with bipolar disorder. The length, severity
and frequency of mood swings vary from person to person.
In some people with bipolar disorder, there is rapid cycling with more frequent and
shorter periods of mood disturbance.
It's also possible for mania and depression to be present at the same time. In this
mixed state, people experience combinations of agitation, disturbances in sleep and
appetite, suicidal thoughts and psychosis. Psychosis is a major mental disorder in
which the personality is disorganized and contact with reality is impaired, often
including auditory hallucinations and delusions - firmly held erroneous beliefs.
Bipolar disorder can have devastating effects on relationships as well as finances
stemming from spending sprees during a manic episode or nearly complete isolation
and withdrawal during a depressive phase.
Content provided by MayoClinic.com
Bipolar disorder, often referred to as manic depression, is a serious illness of
extreme highs and lows that tends to worsen over time if left untreated. Doctors aren't
sure what causes bipolar disorder, but it often runs in families. With proper medication
and therapy, it is a manageable illness.
From high to low. From euphoria to depression. From recklessness to listlessness.
These are the extremes associated with bipolar disorder, which can be a serious and
disabling mental illness. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depression or
manic-depressive illness - manic behavior is one extreme of this disorder and
depression is the other.
Bipolar disorder often begins in adolescence or early adulthood and may persist
throughout life. The causes of bipolar disorder are elusive, and there's no cure.
The flares of bipolar disorder may last for weeks or months, causing great
disturbances in the lives of those affected, their friends and their families. Left
untreated, the condition usually worsens. But bipolar disorder can be managed with
medications and other therapies.
Signs and symptoms
Bipolar disorder is characterized by an
alternating pattern of emotional highs
(mania) and lows (depression). The intensity of the associated signs and symptoms
varies. Bipolar disorder can range from a mild condition to a severe condition, and there
may be periods of normal behavior.
Manic phase
For many people, signs and symptoms in the manic phase may include:
Feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism and inflated self-esteem
Rapid speech, racing thoughts, agitation and increased physical activity
Poor judgment
Recklessness or taking chances not normally taken
Difficulty sleeping
Tendency to be easily distracted
Inability to concentrate
Aggressive behavior
Depressive phase
In the depressive phase, signs and symptoms include:
Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt or hopelessness
Disturbances in sleep and appetite
Fatigue and loss of interest in daily activities
Problems concentrating
Irritability
Chronic pain without a known cause
Recurring thoughts of suicide
Causes
Doctors and researchers don't know exactly what causes bipolar disorder. But a variety
of biologic, genetic and environmental factors seem to be involved in causing and
triggering episodes of this illness.
Evidence indicates that differences in the chemical messengers between nerve cells in
the brain (neurotransmitters) occur in people who have bipolar disorder. In many
cases, people with a bipolar disorder may have a genetic disposition for the disorder.
The abnormality may be in genes that regulate neurotransmitters. However, not
everyone with a family member who has bipolar disorder will develop the disease.
Factors that may contribute to or trigger episodes of bipolar disorder include drug
abuse and stressful or psychologically traumatic events.
Risk factors
Bipolar disorder tends to run in families. A family history of depression appears to exist
in 80 percent to 90 percent of cases of bipolar disorder. Researchers are attempting to
identify genes that may make people susceptible to bipolar disorder.
When to seek medical advice
People with bipolar disorder often don't recognize how impaired they are when
experiencing a mood episode and how greatly the disorder is affecting their lives and
the lives of others. Friends, family and primary care physicians are all important in
recognizing possible signs of bipolar disorder and urging the person to seek
professional help.
If a family member or friend shows signs of bipolar disorder.
Screening and diagnosis
Your doctor may ask you or a family member who has accompanied you about your
signs and symptoms and to describe apparent episodes of mania and depression.
Diagnosis also involves ruling out other mental health conditions that may produce
some symptoms similar to bipolar disorder. These may include other mood disorders,
sometimes schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or borderline
personality disorder.
You may also undergo tests to see if your mood swings are due to physical causes,
such as:
Substance abuse. Abuse of alcohol, marijuana and cocaine may affect your moods.
Thyroid disorders. A blood test for thyroid function can determine whether you have a
thyroid disorder, such as an underactive thyroid.
Your doctor may also ask about your use of medications, alcohol and recreational
drugs and about your diet. Certain medications including corticosteroids, such as
prednisone, and medications used to treat depression, anxiety and Parkinson's
disease can cause mood swings. Abuse of alcohol and recreational drugs also can
cause mood swings. Deficiency of vitamin B-12 may alter moods as well.
Complications
Other problems, such as anxiety disorder or alcoholism,
may affect people with bipolar disorder. The length, severity
and frequency of mood swings vary from person to person.
In some people with bipolar disorder, there is rapid cycling with more frequent and
shorter periods of mood disturbance.
It's also possible for mania and depression to be present at the same time. In this
mixed state, people experience combinations of agitation, disturbances in sleep and
appetite, suicidal thoughts and psychosis. Psychosis is a major mental disorder in
which the personality is disorganized and contact with reality is impaired, often
including auditory hallucinations and delusions - firmly held erroneous beliefs.
Bipolar disorder can have devastating effects on relationships as well as finances
stemming from spending sprees during a manic episode or nearly complete isolation
and withdrawal during a depressive phase.
Content provided by MayoClinic.com
| The information provided on these pages are intended as a educational public service. New studies often change our understanding of how to diagnose and treat these illnesses and direct contact with the appropriate, licensed mental health professional prior to treatment is always recommended. |
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