what is BIPOLAR DISORDER?

is mainly defined by manic or mixed episodes that last at least seven days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually, the person also has depressive episodes, typically lasting at least two weeks. The symptoms of mania or depression must be a major change from the person's normal behavior. and it is known manic-depressive illness, a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood,energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.They are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time.it may be a result from, damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.
it is not easy to spot when it would start, the symptoms may seems like separate problems, not recognized as parts of a larger problem.Some people suffer for there sickness for years before they are properly diagnosed and treated, while the BIPOLAR DISORDER is a long-term illness that must be carefully managed throughout a person's life.
it may be scary to think but that's the truth for all of us to be aware and be ready.
people who had been found out with bipolar disorder experience unusually intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods called "mood episodes.", overly joyful or overexcited state is called a manic episode, and an extremely sad or hopeless state is called a depressive episode. Sometimes, a mood episode includes symptoms of both mania and depression. This is called a mixed state. People with bipolar disorder also may be explosive and irritable during a mood episode.

will after knowing how does it mean we ask on what are the symptoms of bipolar disorder and how could it be describe?

well, let me tell you the experts base it into two kinds of symptoms that they called it mania or a manic episode and depression or a depressive episode.

in mania or a manic episode mood changes are bases on A long period of feeling "high," or an overly happy or outgoing mood, or Extremely irritable mood, agitation, feeling "jumpy" or "wired." and commonly have a behavioral changes: they talk so fast they have a racing thoughts and even jumping one idea to another, they are easily distracted, there goal is increasing directed activities such as taking on project, being so restless and a little sleep, they have a unrealistic belief on one's abilities, mostly they are impulsive on taking part in pleasure, they're high risk behavior, like spending sprees impulsive in sex and business investments.

while the depression or a depressive episode: they have a long period of feeling worried or empty, they lost interest on activities once in there life they've enjoyed and the common example on that is the so called sex. there behavioral changes is that they felt so tired and slowed down they mostly have problems on concentrating, remembering and making decisions. they are restless and irritable at all times and there eating, sleeping and indoors activity habit where been change and they also think on suicide or else attempting to do so.



in addition to mania and depression, bipolar disorder can cause a range of moods such as severe and moderate depression,and even mild low mood, it also include the hypo mania and severe mania. Moderate depression may cause less extreme symptoms, and mild low mood is called dysthymia when it is chronic or long-term.
During hypomanic episodes, a person may have increased energy and activity levels that are not as severe as typical mania, or he or she may have episodes that last less than a week and do not require emergency care. A person having a hypomanic episode may feel very good, be highly productive, and function well. This person may not feel that anything is wrong even as family and friends recognize the mood swings as possible bipolar disorder. Without proper treatment, however, people with hypomania may develop severe mania or depression.

during there mixed state,symptoms often include agitation, trouble sleeping, major changes in appetite, and suicidal thinking. People in a mixed state may feel very sad or hopeless while feeling extremely energized.Sometimes, a person with severe episodes of mania or depression has psychotic symptoms too, such as hallucinations or delusions. The psychotic symptoms tend to reflect the person's extreme mood. For example, psychotic symptoms for a person having a manic episode may include believing he or she is famous, has a lot of money, or has special powers. In the same way, a person having a depressive episode may believe he or she is ruined and penniless, or has committed a crime. As a result, people with bipolar disorder who have psychotic symptoms are sometimes wrongly diagnosed as having schizophrenia, another severe mental illness that is linked with hallucinations and delusions.




the risk factor on having this kind of disorder is very high for Most scientists agree that there is no single cause.many factors likely act together to produce high risk...

bipolar disorder is also tends to run in the family researchers are looking for genes that may increase a person's chance of developing the illness. Genes are the "building blocks" of heredity. They help control how the body and brain work and grow. Genes are contained inside a person's cells that are passed down from parents to children.Children with a parent or sibling who has bipolar disorder are four to six times more likely to develop the illness, compared with children who do not have a family history of bipolar disorder. how ever most children with a family history of bipolar disorder will not develop the illness.

it is studied and found out that most people with bipolar disorder had: Missed work because of their illness, Other illnesses at the same time, especially alcohol and/or substance abuse and panic disorders and Been treated or hospitalized for bipolar disorder.

researchers also identified certain traits that appeared to run in families, including: History of psychiatric hospitalization, Co-occurring obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Age at first manic episode, Number and frequency of manic episodes.





HOW DOES IT DIAGNOSE?
he first step in getting a proper diagnosis is to talk to a doctor, who may conduct a physical examination, an interview, and lab tests. Bipolar disorder cannot currently be identified through a blood test or a brain scan, but these tests can help rule out other contributing factors, such as a stroke or brain tumor. If the problems are not caused by other illnesses, the doctor may conduct a mental health evaluation. The doctor may also provide a referral to a trained mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, who is experienced in diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder, People with bipolar disorder are more likely to seek help when they are depressed than when experiencing mania or hypomania.17 Therefore, a careful medical history is needed to assure that bipolar disorder is not mistakenly diagnosed as major depressive disorder, which is also called unipolar depression. Unlike people with bipolar disorder, people who have unipolar depression do not experience mania. Whenever possible, previous records and input from family and friends should also be included in the medical history.





most of us ask on HOW DOES IT TREATED?
there is no cure for bipolar disorder. But proper treatment helps most people with bipolar disorder gain better control of their mood swings and related symptoms. Because bipolar disorder is a lifelong and recurrent illness, people with the disorder need long-term treatment to maintain control of bipolar symptoms. An effective maintenance treatment plan includes medication and psychotherapy for preventing relapse and reducing symptom severity.

it can be diagnosed and medications prescribed by people with an M.D. (doctor of medicine). Usually, bipolar medications are prescribed by a psychiatrist. In some states, clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and advanced psychiatric nurse specialists can also prescribe medications. Check with your state's licensing agency to find out more.Not everyone responds to medications in the same way. Several different medications may need to be tried before the best course of treatment is found.