Bipolar Disorder General In Fact

Bipolar Disorder What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression or manic depressive disorder, is a condition characterized by mood swings,from high (manic) to low (depressed). There are two main subtypes of bipolar disorder: People with bipolar I have experienced at least one manic episode, while people with bipolar II experience hypomanic episodes — which are milder — along with depression. Bipolar disorder is often misunderstood, but help is available with the right diagnosis and treatment.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

It is estimated that 5.7 million American adults have bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression. Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by dramatic mood swings — periods of excess energy that alternate with bouts of severe depression, and normal mood and behavior usually occurring in between.

Causes of Bipolar Disorder

The cause or causes of bipolar disorder have yet to be uncovered. As scientists work on identifying a genetic connection, we've taken a look at the different possibilities.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

People with bipolar disorder can have a range of symptoms. Many experience dramatic mood swings, going from emotional highs to emotional lows with more normal moods in between, while others have much milder mood changes.

Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder can't be seen on a physical test. Diagnosis involves studying both the person's medical history and symptoms, both past and present.

Related Conditions

Certain conditions, such as depression, schizophrenia, and ADHD, share similar symptoms with bipolar disorder — and may get misdiagnosed. Other health issues, such as addiction and anxiety, often go hand in hand with bipolar.

Bipolar Disorder and Depression

The main difference between bipolar disorder and depression are the mania symptoms that are associated with the bipolar condition.To clarify the differences between straightforward depression and bipolar disorder, it's helpful to understand the specific symptoms of each.

Bipolar Disorder and ADHD Bipolar disorder

often gets misdiagnosed as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, a common behavioral problem characterized by distraction and impulsiveness. Here's how to know the difference.

Bipolar Disorder and Pregnancy

Having bipolar disorder doesn't mean you shouldn't get pregnant. The key to an optimal outcome is planning carefully —and preferably before conception.  

Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Bipolar disorder doesn't have to disrupt your life if you get the right treatment. The key to success is a carefully thought-

out management plan, put together with the help of your doctor and other members of your health care team.

Bipolar Disorder Drugs

Most people with bipolar disorder take some combination of lithium, valproate, and carbamazepine to manage their symptoms and prevent the recurrence of bipolar episodes. They may also need other medications to treat the agitation, anxiety, and sleep disturbances that may accompany their illness.

Mood Stabilizers

Bipolar disorder is often treated with what are called mood stabilizers, which include lithium, valproate (Depakote), or carbamazepine (Tegretol). These medications can be very effective in treating hypomania or mania and preventing the recurrence of bipolar episodes.

Abilify

Abilify (aripiprazole) is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression).It is also used together with other medications to treat major depressive disorder in adults. Living With Bipolar Disorder Taking good care of yourself is perhaps the most important part of successfully managing bipolar disorder. From on-the-job coping strategies to stress relievers that work, follow these steps to live well with bipolar disorder.

Anticonvulsants

In recent years, anticonvulsant medications, which are used to treat seizures, have also been used to treat bipolar disorder. Nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, sedation, and tremor (shaking) are common at the beginning of treatment, but these side effects tend to fade over time. The medication also can cause weight gain.

Antidepressants

If you have depressive symptoms associated with your bipolar disorder that aren't being controlled by the mood stabilizers, an antidepressant could help. The problem with antidepressants is that the evidence supporting their effectiveness in treating bipolar disorder is lacking.

Antipsychotics

Another class of drugs that your doctor may prescribe to be taken along with a mood stabilizer are antipsychotic medications,known as dopamine-blocking agents. Dopamine-blocking agents are designed to block dopamine receptors in the brain, which may ease some symptoms of acute mania and slow racing thoughts.

Bipolar Drug Side Effects

Some bipolar drugs can cause unwanted side effects, or even seem to lose their effectiveness after a while. If you want to change or discontinue your bipolar medication, it's best to work with your doctor on a withdrawal plan.  

Seroquel

Seroquel (quetiapine) is an antipsychotic medication that works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain. Quetiapine is used to treat bipolar disorder (manic depression) in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.

Bipolar Disorder and Relationships

When you have bipolar disorder, both you and your loved ones are affected by your bipolar symptoms. To help your relationships not just survive, but thrive, you need to work together on dealing with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Disorder and Parenting

Does your child have bipolar disorder – or are you struggling to be a good mom or dad while managing your own bipolar symptoms? There are a few things you should know about bipolar disorder and parenting.

Living With Bipolar Disorder

Taking good care of yourself is perhaps the most important part of successfully managing bipolar disorder. From on-the-job coping strategies to stress relievers that work, follow these steps to live well with bipolar disorder.

Managing Bipolar Symptoms

From manic highs to depressed lows, the symptoms of bipolar disorder can make life challenging. But with the right medication, healthy lifestyle choices, and support from your family and medical team, your symptoms can be managed.

Bipolar Disorder Caregiving

Learning about a loved one's bipolar disorder diagnosis can be tough on your relationship. But there are ways to give love and support to someone you care about who's dealing with this illness.

Alternative Treatments for Bipolar

Disorder Alternative treatments for bipolar disorder include vitamins, herbs, and nutritional supplements. Whatever alternative methods are used, it's best to think of them as complements to, not replacements for, conventional drug and talk therapy.