Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depressive Illness or Manic Depression)

 Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depressive Illness or Manic Depression)

What is Bipolar Disorder?

            Mental health disorder that is characterize by unusual shifts in mood swings, energy, activity levels, concentration and the ability to carry out day-day tasks (NIH, Pg. 1, 2020). It is broken down into three different categories Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, and Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia) and they are often characterized by the effects that it has on the individual and their moods. Bipolar I Disorder is defined by manic episodes that last 7 days and some episodes could become so severe that the individual may need hospital intervention. Depressive episodes also make up this type of bipolar disorder and could last up to 2 weeks. Bipolar II Disorder is characterized by a mix of depressive and manic episodes that are similar to those of Bipolar I Disorder but are different in the aspect that they are not severe and are not full in their nature. Lastly, Cyclothymic Disorder is another type of Bipolar disorder because it is characterized by hypomanic symptoms that are most prevalent in children and adolescents because it could last for at least 2 years. However, the symptoms of this type of disorder are different because they don’t meet medical requirements as hypomanic or depressive episode (NIH, Pg. 1, 2020).

Individuals with bipolar disorders are typically diagnosed in their late adolescence or early adulthood. Symptoms of the disorder can appear as early in the woman during pregnancy or childbirth and in their early childhood (NIH, Pg. 2, 2020).

Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Symptoms are broken down based upon if they are having a manic or depressive episode. Individuals experiencing a manic episode may “feel very high, elated or irritable or touchy” or could also report having a “decreased need for sleep” and have a “loss of appetite” (NIH, Pg. 2, 2020). Individuals experiencing a depressive episode may report feeling “very say, down, empty, worried, or hopeless” or report having “trouble falling asleep, wake up too early, or sleep too much” (NIH, Pg. 2, 2020).

Individuals can still have bipolar disorder even if they are not experiencing little or no symptoms at all, taking with a licensed specialist could help diagnose the disorder and get the individual started on treatment.

Treatment

Treatment options may include Medications, Continued treatment, Day treatment programs, Substance abuse treatment, Hospitalization (Mayo Clinic, Pg.2, 2018).

Medications: Will help with balancing out the individual’s moods; would need to be taken often

Continued Treatment: Continues on with their treatment medication to make sure that they won’t experience a relapse. Skipping a treatment could make the individual’s risk of having a relapse in their moods much higher than those who are consistent with their treatments.

Day Treatment Programs: With recommendation from their primary doctor; these programs are designed to offer support and counseling to the individual if they need it.

Substance Abuse Treatment: For individuals also suffering from drug and alcohol problems along side of their bipolar disorder. This treatment will help the individual better cope with their treatments because without it, it may be hard for the individual to manage their bipolar disorder.

Hospitalization: This is needed for severe cases and if their doctors sees that they may be a danger to themselves or to others. Receiving psychiatric treatment at the hospital will help the individual remain calm, safe and help them manage their moods for when they experience a manic or depressive episode.

There are different medications that the individual can take such as mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants, antidepressant-antipsychotic and anti-anxiety medications (Mayo Clinic Pg. 3, 2018).

For children and teenagers’ experiencing bipolar disorder there are treatments for them such as medications, psychotherapy, psychoeducation and support “(Mayo Clinic, Pg. 3, 2020). Licensed professionals and doctors could help individuals struggling with bipolar disorder find their treatments based on their need and severity of the disorder.

Population:

According to Bipolar Statistics, “Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.6% of the U.S. population age 18 and older every year” (Bipolar Disorder Statistics, Pg. 1, 2019). The article also points out that, “Women and people with bipolar II disorder are significantly more likely to experience periods of rapid cycling than me with the same condition” (Bipolar Statistics, Pg. 1, 2019). Bipolar disorder could affect anyone, going to your doctor and getting the treatment that you need is what is most important for individuals with bipolar disorder.

Reference:

Bipolar Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved September 07, 2020, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml

Bipolar disorder. (2018, January 31). Retrieved September 07, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355961

Bipolar Disorder Statistics. (2019, July 12). Retrieved September 07, 2020, from https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-disorder-statistics/