Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression which is a kind of mental health illness that involves high emotional feelings (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).
One may feel extremely sad or hopeless when one is depressed, and may lose interest or pleasure in most activities. Sometimes also feel ecstatic, full of energy, or abnormally irritable when mood switches to mania or hypomania (a milder form of mania). Sleep, energy, activity, judgment, conduct, and the ability to think clearly can all be affected by mood fluctuations.
Mood swings can happen once a year or several times a year. While the majority of people will have some emotional symptoms in between episodes.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder 1
Manic episodes with or without depression symptoms describe this kind of bipolar illness. The manic episodes will last a week or longer if you have this type of bipolar. The mania could be so severe that it might need to be hospitalized to alleviate the symptoms. Although you don't have to be depressed to be diagnosed with bipolar 1, you may experience depression for more than two weeks.
Bipolar disorder 2
Manic and depressed episodes are present in bipolar 2 disorder. The mania with this type is usually milder than the mania with bipolar 1 — hence the name hypomania. A significant depressive episode occurs either before or after a manic episode in people with bipolar 2.
Cyclothymic injury
Manic and depressive periods can last for two years or longer if one has cyclothymic disorder. The same is true for children, except that they must experience both for at least a year before being diagnosed. Mania and depression are frequently milder in this disease than in bipolar 1 or bipolar 2. The cyclothymic disorder produces mood swings, with periods of normalcy interspersed with mania and sadness.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
The symptoms can be different in mania, hypomania, or depression episodes. Symptoms can lead to erratic mood and conduct, causing severe distress and problems in daily life.
Hypomania and mania
Mania and hypomania are two different types of episodes with similar symptoms. Mania is more severe than hypomania, and it produces more problems in day to day activities. Mania can also lead to a disconnection from reality (psychosis), which necessitates hospitalization.
Three or more of these signs are present in both a manic and hypomanic episode:
- Unusually bouncy, jumpy, or wired activity
- Increased energy, activity, or excitement
- Exaggerated feelings of happiness and self-assurance (euphoria)
- Sleep is reduced
- Unusual chattiness
- Thoughts that race
- Poor decision-making, such as shopping binges, taking sexual risks, or making risky investments
Major depressive episode
A major depressive episode is defined by symptoms that are severe enough to make daily activities, such as job, school, social activities, or relationships, difficult. Five or more of the following symptoms are present during an episode:
- Depressed mood, such as sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, or tears (in children and teens, depressed mood can appear as irritability)
- Lack of interest or pleasure in almost everything.
- Significant weight loss, weight gain, or a decrease or increase in appetite when not dieting (in children, failure to gain weight, as expected, can be a sign of depression)
- Insomnia or an excessive amount of sleep
- Either agitation or a sluggish pace
- Energy loss or fatigue
- Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate or excessive guilt
- Reduced mental capacity
Symptoms among children and teens
Bipolar disorder symptoms in children and teenagers can be difficult to spot. It might be difficult to identify whether these are normal mood swings, the effect of stress or trauma, or symptoms of a mental health disease other than bipolar disorder.
Children and teenagers may experience discrete significant depressive, manic, or hypomanic episodes, but the pattern may differ from that seen in adults with bipolar disorder. And sentiments might fluctuate dramatically throughout episodes. Between bouts, some children may experience periods with no mood symptoms.
Severe mood swings that are distinct from their regular mood swings are one of the most noticeable indications of bipolar illness in children and teenagers.
When to see a doctor?
It is difficult to identify the symptoms of bipolar disorder, however, when you notice the first signs and symptoms, immediately consult a mental health doctor to stop worsening of the condition and its progression to a higher stage. Staying aware is the first step you can take to arrest this condition.
- Sleep disturbances and discomfort in performing day-to-day activities
- Infection on the skin, red streaks, pus, and/or yellow scabs
- Despite using home treatments, the skin issue persists
- Episodes of skin rash are followed by fever
Get treated for bipolar disorder from the best Psychiatrists and mental health experts at Medicover Hospitals.
Causes
There are various factors that can cause bipolar disorders, such as:
Differences in biology
Bipolar disorder patients' brains appear to be changing physically. The importance of these changes is still unknown, although they may eventually aid in the identification of causes.
Genetics
People with bipolar disorder are more likely to have a first-degree family with the illness, such as a sibling or parent. Researchers are looking for genes that may play a role in the development of the bipolar disorder.
Risk factors
The following factors may raise the chance of developing bipolar illness or act as a trigger for the first episode:
- Having a first-degree relative with bipolar disorder, such as a parent or sibling
- High-stress events, such as a someone's death or another terrible event
- Abuse of drugs or alcohol
Complications
Bipolar disorder, if left untreated, can lead to major problems that influence every aspect of life, including:
- Problems with drug and alcohol abuse
- Suicide or attempted suicide
- Financial or legal issues
- Relationship problems
- Work or school performance issues
Prevention
Getting treatment for a mental health illness at the first hint can help prevent bipolar disorder or other mental health conditions from worsening. If one has been diagnosed with bipolar illness, then can use the following measures to keep modest symptoms from turning into full-blown mania or depression episodes:
Warning indications
Early intervention can help to prevent episodes from becoming worse. One may have seen a pattern in the bipolar episodes and the events that set them off. If you think you're going through a depressive or manic episode, call your doctor. Encourage family members or friends to keep an eye out for warning indicators.
Drugs and alcohol should be avoided
Using alcohol or recreational drugs can exacerbate symptoms and increase the likelihood of them returning.
Take medicines as prescribed
one might be tempted to discontinue treatment, but resist the urge. Stopping or lowering the medicine on its own may result in withdrawal symptoms, or symptoms may worsen or return.
Diagnosis
Once the person gets the same symptoms mentioned above and the doctor recognises it as a serious mental disorder then the following tests will be recommended in order to diagnose bipolar disorder -
Physical examination
A physical check and lab tests may be performed by the doctor to rule out any medical issues that could be causing symptoms
Psychiatric evaluation
The physician may send you to a psychiatrist, who will discuss your thoughts, feelings, and behaviour patterns with you. A psychological self-assessment or questionnaire can also be completed. Family members or close friends may be asked to submit information on the symptoms with your approval.
Charting the mood
You may be requested to keep a daily journal of your moods, sleep habits, or other aspects that can aid in diagnosis and treatment selection.
Bipolar disorder criteria
The psychiatrist may compare your symptoms to the criteria for bipolar and associated disorders in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Children's diagnosis
Although the same criteria are used to diagnose bipolar illness in children and teenagers as they are for adults, symptoms in children and teenagers sometimes have unusual patterns and may not fit neatly into diagnostic categories.
Furthermore, children with bipolar illness are typically diagnosed with other mental health conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or behaviour problems, complicating the diagnosis. It is suggested that to see a child psychiatrist who has experience with bipolar disorder.
Treatment
Bipolar disorder is a chronic illness. Symptom management is the goal of treatment. Treatment may involve the following, depending on the needs:
Medications
To regulate the moods, you may need to start taking drugs straight away.
Treatment will continue
Even when you are feeling better, bipolar disorder requires lifetime drug treatment. People who skip maintenance treatment run the danger of relapsing or having small mood swings and growing into full-fledged mania or depression.
Programs for day treatment-
A day treatment program may be suggested by the doctor. These programs offer the support and counselling you require while you work to control your symptoms.
Treatment for substance abuse
Substance abuse treatment is required if you have difficulties with alcohol or drugs. Otherwise, managing bipolar disorder can be extremely tough.
Hospitalization
If you're acting dangerously, feeling suicidal, or becoming distant from reality, your doctor may urge hospitalization (psychotic). Whether you're undergoing a manic or major depressive episode, getting psychiatric care in a hospital can help you be calm and safe while also stabilizing your mood.
Medication and psychological counselling (psychotherapy) are the most common treatments for bipolar disorder, however, education and support groups may also be used.
Medications
Bipolar disorder is treated with a variety of drugs. The medications provided are based on your specific symptoms and dosages.
Mood elevators
To control manic or hypomanic episodes, mood-stabilizing medication is usually required.
Antipsychotics
If symptoms of depression or mania persist despite treatment with other drugs, an antipsychotic medication will be prescribed. Some of these drugs may be prescribed alone or in combination with a mood stabilizer by your doctor.
Antidepressants
To assist treat depression, your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant. Antidepressants are frequently taken in conjunction with a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic since they can sometimes precipitate a manic episode.
Antidepressant-antipsychotic
The antidepressant fluoxetine and the antipsychotic olanzapine are combined as the medicine Symbyax. It serves as a mood stabilizer and a depression treatment
Anti-anxiety drugs
These are used to treat anxiety it can aid with anxiety and sleep, although they're normally only administered for a limited time.
Alternative treatments
Electrical currents are transmitted through the brain during electroconvulsive treatment (ECT), causing a brief seizure. ECT appears to alter brain chemistry, which may help to alleviate symptoms of certain mental diseases. If you don't get better with drugs, can't take antidepressants for health reasons like pregnancy, or are at high risk of suicide, ECT may be a choice for bipolar treatment.For those who haven't responded to antidepressants, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is being looked into.
Treatment in children and teenagers
For children and teens treatment options can be a little bit different-
Medications
Children and teens with bipolar disorder are often prescribed the same types of medications as those used in adults. There's less research on the safety and effectiveness of bipolar medications in children than in adults, so treatment decisions are often based on adult conditions
Psychotherapy
Initial and long-term therapy can help keep symptoms from returning. Psychotherapy can help children and teens manage their routines, develop coping skills, address learning difficulties, resolve social problems, and help strengthen family bonds and communication. And, if needed, it can help treat substance abuse problems common in older children and teens with bipolar disorder.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation can include learning the symptoms of bipolar disorder and how they differ from behaviour related to your child's developmental age, the situation and appropriate cultural behaviour. Understanding bipolar disorder can also help you support your child.
Support
Working with teachers and school counsellors and encouraging support from family and friends can help identify services and encourage success.
Do’s and Don’ts
When a person has bipolar disorder, there are certain things that need to be taken care of. Following are some do’s and don’ts that one must follow when they are suffering from bipolar disorder
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Continue your treatment and medicines. | Compare yourself with others. |
| Get regular diagnosis and tests. | Be afraid of socializing. |
| Proper exercises to stay active and fresh. | Panic in every situation. |
| Eat a good healthy diet with nutritional carbs, vitamins etc. | Make an important decision during episodes of depression or anxiety. |
| Laugh and smile more to stay positive and feel happy. | Feel self-pity for yourself every time, it will make you feel worse for yourself. |
| Engage yourself in creative arts and following hobbies. | Underestimate your health condition. |
| Read good books so that it empowers and inspires you. | Get addicted to alcohol or drugs. |
| Listen good music it soothes and enlightens the mood. | Do anything that triggers your mental issues; notice what triggers your symptoms. |
| Seek help from support groups. | Ignore your symptoms of bipolar disorder. |
While battling with Bipolar Disorder, the patient is himself/herself the best help. Family members should extend support for faster recovery of the patient while seeking medical care.
Bipolar Disorder Care at Medicover
At Medicover Hospitals, we have the most trusted team of doctors and mental health experts who provide highly personalized treatment for bipolar disorder by designing a holistic treatment and care plan for the patient. With the involvement of addiction therapists, nutritionists, psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, and emotional health experts, we develop a multi-disciplinary approach towards the treatment of this condition which ensures real health benefits and positive outcomes for our patients. We also use the most advanced medical technology for the diagnosis and treatment of various other mental disorders.
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