.webp)
Table of content
Introduction
Bipolar disorder, formerly manic-depressive illness, is a mental disorder that causes remarkable shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and activity level. Bipolar episodes may also impact sleep, energy, behaviours, decisions, and a person’s capability of getting a logical thought process going. Overall, the effect of bipolar illness can be significant in disrupting their interpersonal, occupational, and potential in life endeavours as well as their general well-being.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder consists of sudden changes in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to think and function well in the community. It was revealed that bipolar affective disorder involves fluctuations between high and low moods, which are, however, different from the positive and negative mood changes used by other people in a day.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
There are several types of bipolar disorder, each characterised by the nature and duration of mood episodes:
1. Bipolar I Disorder:
This type is characterised by happy mood swings with symptoms that must last seven or more days or with conditions that require emergency hospitalization. Depressive episodes also take place, more often than not, for a period of not less than two weeks.
2. Bipolar II Disorder:
In this type, depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes are present, but it does not feature the full-blown mania of bipolar I disorder.
3. Cyclothymic Disorder:
This type is characterised by at least two years of hypomanic symptoms combined with depressive ones, but hypomanic episodes do not meet the criteria of a hypomanic episode, and depressive ones do not meet the criteria of a depressive episode either. For children and adolescents, it is one year.
4. Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorders:
These are characterised by bipolar disorder symptoms that do not fit into the above-mentioned three types.
Signs of Bipolar Disorder:
There is variation in the manifestation of bipolar disorder in that the signs can vary in terms of their magnitude and impact on the activities of life. Nonetheless, they typically fit into two groups: symptoms of mania and symptoms of the depressive episode.1. Signs of mania
Heightened Energy and Activity Levels:
People with mania are often hyperactive and can do several things at one time. Therefore, he could be involved in many activities at the same time.
Heightened Mood:
Someone who has mania may feel irrationally happy, or what medical professionals refer to as elated.
Agitation:
Mania also refers to increased irritability and discomfort.
Reduced Sleep Requirement:
Some people are satisfied even with two hours of sleep.
Excessive Chatter:
In many aspects, an individual is likely to be chattier than usual; the person may be talking a lot or talking with a lot of urge and seem to be in a hurry.
Racing Thoughts:
Information practically pours into one’s mind, and it is not easy to focus on one thing at a time.
Impulsivity and risky behaviour:
Such lavish activities may encompass shopping extravaganzas, unwisely made business ventures, and promiscuity, among others.
2. Symptoms of depression
Prolonged Sadness or Hopelessness:
A person may be extremely sad or hopeless for long periods of time.
Loss of Interest in Activities:
Reduced motivation for various activities that were previously of interest, including sexual activities.
Changes in Appetite and Sleep Patterns:
This may encompass overeating, undereating, oversleeping, or being a sleep-deprived person.
Fatigue:
A person can be exhausted the entire day and throughout the night, even with proper rest.
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt:
True depressive disorders don’t necessarily entail feelings of guilt and worthlessness; however, these feelings may intensify.
Difficulty Concentrating:
Difficulties with focus and memory as well as spur-of-the-moment decision-making abilities.
Suicidal Thoughts:
Ideas of self-harm, or hurting oneself, or death, or suicide.
Causes and risk factors
The cause of bipolar disorder is still unknown; however, science has mentioned several factors that could cause the condition, including genetics, environment, and learning that affect the chemical and structural structure of the brain.
Genetics
Patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder have a higher predisposition to have a family history where the condition is hereditary. Still, the pathogenesis of the disorder may involve multiple genes, and their interactions with the environment may be especially important for disease development.
Environment
Bipolar disorder also arises due to various environmental causes, for example, prolonged stress, trauma, or major life events in people who have inherited the disorder.
Brain Structure and Function
A literature review indicates that a number of studies have been conducted to compare the brains of bipolar disorder patients with those of normal individuals. More studies must be conducted in order to comprehend such differences and their relevance.
Diagnosis and treatment
In diagnosing bipolar disorder, an assessment is done based on the symptoms by a mental health expert. This may involve a medical checkup, a checkup by a psychiatrist, a charting of mood, and even the history of the family.
Treatment
Although bipolar disorder is a chronic illness, it does not have to rule an individual’s life, as the disorder can be treated with the help of medications, psychotherapy, changes in the daily routine, and support.
Medications
Medications are sometimes the bedrock of bipolar disorder, and these include mood stabilisers, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety agents. Sourcing for the right drug or doses can be a process, and communication with a healthcare provider is ongoing.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can be useful in the management of patients. The most commonly chosen therapies for bipolar disorder include cognitive behavioural therapy, family focal therapy, and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy. These therapies can explain the condition to the person, help them learn how to cope with the condition in a healthy way, and teach them relationship skills.
Lifestyle Changes
However, an ideal plan for living a healthy life is of importance in managing bipolar disorder. This also entails keeping to a normal sleeping pattern, exercising, observing a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol and drugs, and avoiding stress.
Support
Family, friends, and support groups’ help can significantly improve the patient’s quality of life with bipolar disorder. Groups are an ideal way to allow individuals to discuss their issues, find meaning, and acquire knowledge with regard to other people facing the same problems.
Living with Bipolar Disorder
There is a chronic nature inherent in the illness, so it is necessary to actively manage bipolar disorder all the time. Here are some strategies that can help:
Education:
Knowledge of bipolar disorder can also help those who suffer from it control their health state and make correct decisions.
Monitoring Symptoms:
Monitoring the changes in mood and the hours of sleep, together with the other signs, will help with early warnings of mood swings.
Adhering to Treatment:
What matters is following the physician’s instructions and staying on treatment; it is helpful to take the prescribed medications and to go for therapy.
Building a Support Network:
Getting help and support from one’s close ones may give one the emotional boost that is needed for performing the tasks.
Stress Management:
It might be useful to attend classes in stress management so that one can avoid situations that are likely to trigger mood swings since the emotions that one experiences during this stage, such as anxiety, irritability, anger, and frustration, may prompt one to engage in stressful activities.
Challenges and Coping Strategies
However, even with proper treatment, patients with bipolar disorder are likely to experience difficulties in the management of their disorder. Here are some common challenges and coping strategies:
Stigma:
The stigma associated with mental illness may discourage people from getting treatment. Advocacy and education can aid in the fight against stigma and advance understanding.
Medication side effects:
Pertaining to the side effects from medications, these can be quite erratic. Reporting the issue to the appropriate healthcare provider will lead to modifications that reduce such impacts.
Relapse:
Even if a patient is receiving some sort of treatment, he or she is at risk of relapse. One should consult a healthcare provider for the formulation of a relapse prevention plan to prevent or deal with such occurrences.
Co-occurring Conditions:
It is also common for bipolar disorder patients to suffer from some comorbid conditions, some of which include anxiety and substance use disorder. These coexisting disorders can be treated with combined therapy methodologies.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Multimodal therapy for bipolar disorder among adults also shows promising results, and timely diagnosis plays a vital role in patients’ clinical prognosis. The early manifestations of the condition and consultation with a healthcare provider can also help avoid further progression of the disease and increase the patient’s quality of life.
Conclusion
This is because bipolar disorder is complicated and difficult to manage, but with exercise and taking the right course of drugs, one can live a fulfilling life. Knowledge and awareness of the condition and its signs, as well as getting proper intervention, are some of the vital tasks to perform in bipolar disorder.
This publication seeks to know how people with bipolar disorder can capitalise on their experiences to change their mental health and wellness in a positive way.
References
Jamison, K. R. (1995). *An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness*. Alfred A. Knopf.
Mondimore, F. M. (2014). *Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Patients and Families*. Johns Hopkins University Press.
Goodwin, F. K., & Jamison, K. R. (2007). *Manic-Depressive Illness: Bipolar Disorders and Recurrent Depression*. Oxford University Press.
Miklowitz, D. J. (2019). *The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know*. The Guilford Press.
The intention of this article to inform the reader about bipolar disorder as well as follow the writing guidelines that include key aspects and practical recommendations for the management of the disorder, while at the same time, the reader is challenged to think about his or her mental health story.
What role do you believe support systems (family, friends, therapy) play in the management of bipolar disorder?
We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comment section below. Your insights could provide valuable support and understanding to others navigating similar challenges.
