BiPolar Information

Bipolar Disorder Overview

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a type of mood disorder. Bipolar disorder was called manic depression in the past, and that term is still used by some people. It is a psychiatric illness that causes major disruptions in lifestyle and health.

• Everyone has occasional highs and lows in their moods. But people with bipolar disorder have extreme mood swings. They can go from feeling very sad, despairing, helpless, worthless, and hopeless (depression) to feeling as if they are on top of the world, hyperactive, creative, and grandiose (mania). This disease is called bipolar disorder because the mood of a person with bipolar disorder can alternate between two completely opposite poles, euphoric happiness and extreme sadness.
  
  
• Symptoms of both mania and depression sometimes occur together, in what is called "mixed state."
  
  
• The extremes of mood usually occur in cycles. In between these mood swings, people with bipolar disorder are able to function normally, hold a job, and have a normal family life. The episodes of mood swings tend to become closer together with age.
  
  
• When a person is in the grip of this disease, chaos can occur. Bipolar disorder can cause major disruption of family and finances, loss of job, and marital problems.
  
  
• Severe depression can be life-threatening. It may be associated with thoughts of suicide, actual acts of suicide, and even acts of homicide in some cases.
  
  
• Extreme mania can lead to aggressive behavior, potentially dangerous risk-taking behaviors, and homicidal acts.
  
  
• A number of people with bipolar disorder may turn to drugs and alcohol to "self-treat" their emotional disorder, resulting in substance abuse and dependence.

Most people start showing signs of bipolar disorder in their late teens (the average age of onset is 21 years). These signs may be dismissed as "growing pains" or normal teenage behavior. On occasion, some people have their first symptoms during childhood, but the condition can often be misdiagnosed at this age and improperly labeled as a behavioral problem. Bipolar disorder may not be properly diagnosed until the sufferer is 25-40 years old, at which time the pattern of symptoms may become clearer.

Bipolar disorder occurs in both men and women. About 5.7 million people in the United States have the disorder. There is no racial group that is more afflicted by this disease.

Because of the extreme and risky behavior that goes with bipolar disorder, it is very important that the disorder be identified. With proper and early diagnosis, this mental condition can be treated. Bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that will require proper management for the duration of a person's life.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

Mania and depression are the opposing phases in bipolar disorder.

• Mania: A person in the manic phase may feel indestructible, full of energy, and ready for anything. Other times that person may be irritable and ready to argue with anyone who tries to get in the way.
  • Unrealistic plans, spending sprees, an increase in sexual affairs, or other reckless behavior, such as wild driving, also may occur.
    
    
  • Less sleep and food than usual are needed.
    
    
  • The person with mania can stay up all night but may find that not much was accomplished because he or she was easily distracted.
    
    
  • The person in a manic phase may talk very quickly and jump from subject to subject. They often exhibit pressured speech during mania.
    
    
  • Self-esteem may be inflated.
    
    
  • Decisions regarding business and finances are often made hurriedly and without careful consideration; poor choices may be the result.
    
    
  • Clothing choices may also change, and the person in a manic phase may start wearing brighter, more flamboyant clothes.
    
    
  • These behaviors, which can be quite upsetting, usually prompt a family member to take notice and try to get the person help.
    
    
  • Most people who are going through the manic phase of bipolar disorder deny that anything is wrong with them and refuse to see a medical professional.
    
    
  • They are grandiose and may have delusions (false ideas) of grandeur (greatness).
    
    

• Depression: Although mania is said to alternate with depression, most people have more depressive episodes than manic ones.
  
  
  • Sadness and crying spells are common.
    
    
  • People who are depressed may not care enough to wash or comb their hair, change clothes, or even get out of bed in the morning.
    
    
  • These people may sleep too much (hypersomnolence) or have difficulty getting to sleep (insomnia).
    
    
  • Many of these people have no interest in food or have no appetite and lose weight. However, some eat excessively.
    
    
  • People with depression have trouble thinking; they may forget to do important things such as paying bills because they feel so down.
    
    
  • They withdraw from friends.
    
    
  • Hobbies that used to bring pleasure suddenly hold no interest for people who are depressed.
    
    
  • Depression brings feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, pessimism, and worthlessness.
    
    
  • Some people may develop chronic pain or other bodily complaints that do not actually have any physical cause.
    
    
  • People who are depressed may not see a point in living anymore and may actually think about ways to kill themselves.
    
    

• Some people with bipolar disorder cycle between the two extremes every few months or weeks. Other people with bipolar disorder may cycle several times within the same day.
  
  
• Signs of mania
  
  
  • Increased activity and gestures (pacing, tapping feet)
    
    
  • Inflated self-esteem
    
    
  • Poor judgment
    
    
  • Racing thoughts
    
    
  • Decreased need for sleep
    
    
  • Poor temper control
    
    
  • Irritability
    
    
  • Pressured speech: The person speaks very fast, as if his or her mouth can't keep up with the rapid thoughts. The person may be unable to respond to social cues to stop talking.
    
    
  • Increased activities with high risk of painful consequences (sexual affairs, gambling, risky investments)
    
    
  • Psychotic symptoms
    
    
    • Delusions (false beliefs)
      
      
    • Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't real)
      
      

• Signs of depression
  
  
  • Excessive worry
    
    
  • Excessive guilt
    
    
  • Sadness, crying spells
    
    
  • Loss of energy
    
    
  • Change in sleep pattern (insomnia at night, daytime sleepiness, or excessive sleeping)
    
    
  • Major changes in appetite or weight
    
    
  • Feelings of worthlessness
    
    
  • Trouble concentrating
    
    
  • Social withdrawal
    
    
  • Lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities
    
    
  • Thoughts of death or suicide: Untreated bipolar disorder has a 15% risk of death by suicide.
    
    
• Many conditions may co-occur with BD such as substance abuse, conduct disorders, eating disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, migraine, and anxiety.