Depression Learning

Bipolar Disorder (depression)

One of the more commonly known disorders associated with depression disorders bipolar disorder; also know as manic depressive or bipolar affective disorder. Psychiatrists often must diagnose bipolar disorder from the person’s own descriptions and defined when they are known to have experienced several episodes of mania. (Mania is defined as elevated mood swings.)

In bipolar disorder periods of depression are often followed swiftly by periods of extreme mania. There are also periods of “normal” moods. Rapid cycling is when the different moods (mania, depression and normal) alternate really quickly. When there are extreme manic episodes there may also be major psychotic symptoms including delusions and even hallucinations. The different types and levels of bipolar disorder are referred to as the “bipolar spectrum” and includes bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymia and several others based on the episodes of moods and their severity.

Typically bipolar disorder starts with the onset of symptoms in early adolescence or young adulthood and the diagnosis is usually assisted by self related experiences and feelings as well as family observances and medical evaluations.  During episodes of bipolar abnormalities are often connected with distress or disruptions and also lead to elevated levels of suicide risk.  Although bipolar is a serious and possibly long term illness it has also been known to produce higher creativity levels, increased goal achievements and many other positive effects.  Bipolar disorder causes are often indicated by both genetic and or environmental factors.

Bipolar States

There are several bipolar states but the two main ones are depressive and manic.  The depressive state of bipolar has all the normal signs of depression but as well there can also be signs of psychotic episodes.

The manic bipolar state may include the following signs and symptoms: Elevated expansive or irritable moods, Increased energy and decreased need for sleep, Low attention span and easily distracted, Impaired judgment, abnormal behavior, Drug and alcohol abuse, Aggression, intolerance, intrusiveness, feelings of out of control or unstoppable, delusions, severe anxiety, euphoric and grandiose.

Treatments for Bipolar

The treatments currently used for treatment of bipolar are similar to other depression disorders.  Mood stabilizers, medications and other psychiatric drugs are prescribed and psychotherapy when patient is stabilized.  In extreme or severe cases of bipolar involuntary committee may be a requirement especially in cases of severe manic episodes involving dangerous or suicidal behaviors.

The use of the term bipolar disorder is fairly new name but the illness was known or referred to as manic depressive illness for a long time.  The name bipolar was coined from the cycling of high and low or mania and depression episodes, called poles. Psychiatrists and medical science have been studying the relationship between mania and melancholia for many years.

Bipolar due to its variations and psychotic episodes has been plagued with unfair stigmas, stereotyping and prejudices. Bipolar disorder has also all too often been misdiagnosed as schizophrenia which often led to mistreatments. There is also difficulty differentiating between bipolar and uni polar. Even professionals have had difficulty with this but the most distinguishing feature between bipolar and uni polar is that the bipolar patient shifts often between states of mania and depression.

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