Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, ad ability to function. It is different that the normal ups and downs one has in their lives. The degrees of the fluctuating swings are far more severe. People with bipolar, left untreated can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performances, and even suicide. Treated, a person with bipolar can lead a full and productive life.
Bipolar is nothing new n today’s society. Currently there are more than 2 million American adults 18 and above that have bipolar. Bipolar typically presents in late adolescence or early adulthood. However, it has been known to present in children as young as two years of age. In the early stages of bipolar, it is often misdiagnosed leaving people to suffer for years. Bipolar is a long-term illness, so if not properly diagnosed and proper treatment received, a person with bipolar may try to self medicate not even aware of what they are medicating.
Manic-depression distorts moods and thoughts, incites dreadful behaviors, destroys the basis of rational thought, and too often erodes the desire and will to live. It is an illness that is biological in its origins, yet one that feels psychological in the experience of it; an illness that is unique in conferring advantage and pleasure, but one that brings in its wake almost unendurable suffering and, not infrequently, suicide.
A diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made based off symptoms, the course of illness, and family history when available. People with bipolar disorder are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as having schizophrenia, another severe mental illness.
Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings-from overly “high” and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.
When a person with bipolar is experience a manic episode, symptoms may present as:
- Spending sprees
- Increased sexual drive
- abuse of drugs particularly cocaine alcohol and sleeping medications
- High distractibility
- Provocative and intrusive behavior
- Increased energy activity and restlessness
- Extreme irritability
- Racing thoughts
- Unrealistic beliefs in ones ability
- Poor Judgment
- Excessively high euphoric mood
When a person with bipolar is experience a depressive episode, symptoms may present as:
- Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
- Decreased energy, heavy fatigue
- Sleeping excessively or inability to sleep
- Unintended weight loss or gain
- Chronic pain
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Difficulty concentrating
During severe episodes of mania or depression, a person may present with symptoms of psychosis. Common psychotic symptoms are hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or otherwise sensing the presence of things not actually there) and delusions (false, strongly held beliefs not influenced by logical reasoning or explained by a person’s usual cultural concepts). Psychotic symptoms in bipolar disorder tend to reflect the extreme mood state at the time. Bipolar disorder may appear to be a problem other than mental illness-for instance, alcohol or drug abuse, poor school or work performance, or strained interpersonal relationships.
Some people with bipolar disorder become suicidal. Anyone who is thinking about committing suicide needs immediate attention, preferably from a mental health professional or a physician. Anyone who talks about suicide should be taken seriously. Risk for suicide appears to be higher earlier in the course of the illness.
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2 million is a lot of people. I had no idea it was that wide spread. Reading the article I realized that there was a lot about this condition that I had never heard or before. I don't know anyone who has this. It must be horrible for those who suffer from it and worse for those who love them.
ReplyDeleteHow can a 2 year old be diagnosed with bipolar disease? I wouldn't think that their actions could be symptomatic. They barely talk at that age. That is very sad indeed. Can they be medicated at that young age?
ReplyDeleteI suspect my middle child is bipolar. As I read the list of symptoms for manic and depressive episodes I could see all but one in each list and I'm not certain of those 2. What are you supposed to do if they are too old to insist that they receive help. I can't imagine what life is for people in this condition. Help, if you can, I don't know what to do.
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