iPsychology

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar mania is part of a disorder called bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder. This is a medical condition characterized by dramatic swings in mood. These mood swings may cause a person to sometimes feel unusually "high" (the manic phase of the illness) and at other times very "low" (the depressive phase of the illness).

While everyone experiences changes in mood as part of everyday life, people who suffer from bipolar disorder have mood swings that may be so severe that they interfere with the ability to function normally at work, at school, and in relationships with family and friends. Some people may experience only a few mood swings, separated by long periods of normal mood, while others may have rapid and severe mood swings that occur frequently.

During the manic phase of the disorder, people may experience feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism, and inflated self-esteem. Other common symptoms include rapid speech, racing thoughts, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and increased energy or activity. During manic episodes, people may do things that they later feel were mistakes—such as going on spending sprees, taking unnecessary risks, or rushing into big decisions.

During the depressive phase of the illness, people may have feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt, or hopelessness. It is common to experience changes in eating and sleeping patterns or to lose interest in activities that one normally enjoys. Some people may even find themselves thinking about suicide. It is possible to experience symptoms of both the manic phase (irritable, argumentative) and depressive phase (hopeless and sad) at the same time. This is known as mixed mania.

Although most people with manic-depressive disorder spend considerable periods of time in a relatively normal mood, some individuals switch quickly between mania and depression—a less common condition known as rapid cycling. In addition, some people may experience some psychotic symptoms, such as paranoia or the belief that they have special powers.

Bipolar disorder is a persistent or chronic (long-lasting) medical condition, just as diabetes and high blood pressure are. Bipolar disorder is not the result of a character flaw or something the person did, and having it is not a sign of personal weakness or a lack of willpower.

Scientists do not know exactly what causes bipolar disorder, but they believe that the symptoms may be activated by a chemical imbalance in the brain. We do know that bipolar disorder can affect anyone, regardless of race, sex, education, occupation, or income. The disorder can appear at any age, although it frequently occurs for the first time in early adulthood. Bipolar disorder can run in families, but genetics does not completely explain who gets it and who does not.

Signs of Bipolar Disorder

Spending money you don't have is a sign of the recklessness often seen in mania. Although sadness and loss of interest can be part of a so-called "mixed manic episode," these symptoms by themselves might more likely suggest a diagnosis of depression rather than mania or bipolar disorder. This is one reason it's important to tell your doctor if you have ever had manic symptoms, so that he or she can have more complete information to make a correct diagnosis.

Often, your family or friends may be able to see the signs of an oncoming episode before you can. For this reason, your family and friends should be familiar with the symptoms of bipolar disorder so they can help you take action before your symptoms become severe.

Treatment Options

Depending on your needs, your overall treatment may involve some of the following:

• Medication
  • to improve your concentration
  • to relieve symptoms such as insomnia, nervousness, depression, fears, voices, feelings of suspicion, and confused thinking
• Counseling sessions
  • to provide emotional support on a regular basis
  • to help you learn how to cope with or solve problems caused by your illness
  • to help you structure your time and activities
• Education
  • to help you learn about your illness
  • to learn how to manage it
  • to learn how to reduce the risk of relapse
• Therapeutic recreation
  • to help you learn how to manage stress
  • to aid you in sharing your thoughts more easily
  • to learn to enhance your friendships and relationships
  • to find activities you may enjoy in your free time
• Rehabilitation
  • to help learn skills you need to be successful at home, work or school
• Support groups
  • to allow you to give and receive support from others who have similar problems