What is Bipolar Disorder?

Also known as manic-depressive illness, bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy and ability to function.

Symptoms

Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings - from overly "high" (mania) to sad and hopeless, and back again, often with periods of normal mood in between.

Symptoms of mania include:

• Increased energy, restlessness
• Excessively euphoric mood
• Extreme irritability
• Racing thoughts, talking very fast and being easily distracted
• Unrealistic belief in one's abilities and powers
• Poor judgment
• Increased sexual drive
• Substance abuse

Symptoms of depression include:

• Feelings of hopelessness and pessimism
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex
• Sleeping too much or not being able to sleep at all
• Change in appetite
• Decreased energy
• Thoughts of suicide

Sometimes, severe episodes of mania or depression also include symptoms of psychosis (such as hallucinations and delusions).

  

Cause

Most scientists agree this illness is caused by a combination of genetics and environment. Bipolar disorder tends to run in families, and research suggests genetic precursors to the disorder. In addition, a major stressor or life event is believed to trigger the disease in those that have the genetic predisposition.

Treatment

People with bipolar disorder can lead healthy and productive lives when the illness is effectively treated. Without treatment, however, it tends to worsen. Because bipolar disorder is a recurrent illness, long-term preventive treatment is strongly recommended. A strategy that combines medication and psychological treatment is optimal for managing the disorder over time. If those methods are ineffective, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be considered. ECT is a highly effective treatment for severe depressive, manic, and/or mixed episodes.

Getting Help

Anyone with bipolar disorder should be under the care of a psychiatrist skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. People with the illness may need assistance in seeking help due to these factors:

• They often do not realize how impaired they are, or blame the problem on other causes.
• They may need encouragement from family and friends in order to get help.

Someone in the midst of a severe episode may need to be hospitalized for his/her own protection, possibly against his/her wishes.