Bipolar Disorders
Some of the most common symptoms of Bipolar Disorder are mania, depression, or hypomania. Bipolar is one of the three major types of the disease. The other two types are Psychotic and Manic-Depressive Disorders. There is also a subtype of Bipolar which is classified under the name of Cyclothymia. Some of the genetic or hormonal factors that are involved in the bipolar disorder cause this disease. Some of the symptoms include euphoria, irritability, impaired judgment, racing thoughts, distorted self image, decreased sexual function, and muscle tension.
Bipolar Disorder is commonly diagnosed in adolescence. Studies have shown that bipolar disorders may start as young as two years. Some cases may go unnoticed and untreated until adulthood. The symptoms of the disease can worsen in a person over time. Bipolar is known to affect about 1% of the population, but the chances of being diagnosed and treated are high because it is a highly treatable disorder.
Types of bipolar disorders: Bipolar I is the first of the two major types of the disease. Bipolar I patients have at least one manic episode lasting for not more than four weeks or requires hospitalization. Bipolar II is when the patient has at least one episode of depression lasting for less than a month or has a depressive episode which does not require hospitalization. Cyclothymia is a combination of the two. Some symptoms of cyclothymia are poor judgment, exaggerated self image, lack of concentration, racing thoughts, and insomnia.
Bipolar Disorders are divided into two main subtypes. These include Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Bipolar disorder, which runs in families is far more common than the disorder that runs in the outbreak. Family studies have shown that depressive mood episodes and mood cycles are more likely in siblings than in non-siblings. The most likely cause is genetic.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorders: The symptoms vary from one patient to another. In some cases the patient will suffer from euphoria or mania mixed with agitation, usually in a manic state. Other times, he will be diagnosed as having mixed states of mania and depression. When someone is diagnosed with bipolar disorder he will be prescribed medication for it. People with Bipolar Disorder need regular doctor visits to monitor their mood episodes and medication. When the doctor determines that someone has Bipolar Disorders he will also prescribe an anti-depressant medication, which is usually in the form of Celexa, for the patient.
Bipolar disorder can also be linked to substance abuse disorder. Researchers have shown that people who suffer from substance abuse disorder are at a greater risk for bipolar disorders. The substance abuse disorder will either be smoking marijuana, drinking alcohol, or doing drugs such as ecstasy. If you have been diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder and you also suffer from Bipolar Disorders you should seek help from a substance abuse therapist or psychiatrist. There are medications that can be prescribed by your psychiatrist that can help control your mood swings.
Another symptom that may point to the possibility of having Bipolar Disorders is the occurrence of a depressive episode during a depressive episode. A depressive episode is defined as a period of sadness that does not seem to go away. A depressive episode will also involve lack of energy, fatigue, and problems with sleeping. When you have these symptoms you should contact your physician immediately for a complete exam to make sure that you do not have Bipolar.
Bipolar Disorders and other mood swings are very serious. When left untreated, the person can end up in jail, which would be devastating to their personal and professional lives. If you have been Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorders or another type of mental illnesses, it is imperative that you seek treatment immediately to ensure that you do not have an irreversible disease.