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Jan 01, 2007
Inside Bipolar Mind
by SirGan
 Almost everyone has heard about bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder. It represents a specific brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Several researches done in the past have shown that these shifts can result in severely damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. What’s good about all this- bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives. The fact is that manic-depression is a mood disorder that affects literally millions of people worldwide. It is classified as a mood disorder because it affects both an individual's emotions as well as how an individual interacts emotionally with others. Incidence of the conditionStatistical data are saying that about 5.7 million American adults or about 2.6 percent of the population age 18 and older in any given year have bipolar disorder. When it is diagnosed? Well, experts are saying that bipolar disorder typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood. However, some people have their first symptoms during childhood, and some develop them late in life. What’s also characteristic- it is often not recognized as an illness, and people may suffer for years before it is properly diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms of bipolar disorderLike it was been told- the most characteristic signs of bipolar disorder are theses dramatic mood swings-from mania to depression and back again. There are sometimes periods of normal mood in between, sometimes not! Beside these changes of mood, there are several other changes, in energy and behavior, go along.
Some of the most common sign of mania include:
If we talk about the most common symptoms of depression, then we should know that they include:
Correlation with other psychotic disordersIt is extremely important to point out that, sometimes, severe episodes of mania or depression include symptoms of psychosis.
The fact is also, it is not uncommon that people with bipolar disorder who have these symptoms are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as having schizophrenia, another severe mental illness.
Possible causes of bipolar disorderIt could be extremely difficult to talk about single cause of bipolar disorder! According to the US National Institute of Mental Health, "There is no single cause for bipolar disorder—rather, many factors act together to produce the illness."
Is there a genetic predisposition to bipolar disorder? Well, in the National Institute of Mental Health- they are saying that, because bipolar disorder tends to run in families, they have been searching for specific genes passed down through generations that may increase a person's chance of developing the illness. After several researches, experts concluded that there is no single gene, which mutation could cause this illness! The fact is also that a family history of bipolar spectrum disorders can impart a genetic predisposition towards developing a bipolar spectrum disorder. Other factors may also be part of the patient's family history also called- a "genetic loading". Some of the most common are: anxiety disorders, clinical depression, eating disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis and schizophrenia
The "kindling" theory
The "kindling" theory is one specific theory that claims that people who are genetically predisposed to bipolar disorder can experience a series of stressful events, which lower the threshold at which mood changes occur. Eventually, a mood episode can start (and becomes recurrent) by itself.
Patient’s view on lifeSUICIDE
Several researches have proven that some people with bipolar disorder become suicidal because they believe there is no hope for them for living a normal life. Risk for suicide appears to be higher earlier in the course of the illness. Experts, communicating with people who suffered from this condition, are saying that some signs and symptoms that may accompany suicidal feelings include:
· abusing alcohol or drugs
· feeling like a burden to family and friends
· putting affairs in order
· talking about feeling suicidal or wanting to die
· feeling hopeless, that nothing will ever change or get better
· feeling helpless, that nothing one does makes any difference
· writing a suicide note
· putting oneself in harm's way, or in situations where there is a danger of being killed
CREATIVITY
The most interesting and misunderstood aspects of bipolar disorder is its general increase in 'creative energy'. How come? Well, it is important and interesting to point out that bipolar disorder is found in great majority of people with creative talent such as artists, musicians, authors, performers, poets, and scientists and some credit the condition for their creativity. While the disorder activates to creative works, the disorder's depression symptoms can soon push sufferers into a cycle that many famous talents have had to live with their entire lives. That’s why- it is logical to assume that these depression phases of the illness do not allow any concentration on activities, and the manic phases allow for work with minimal need for sleep.
MORTALITY
Unfortunately, most researches showed that mortality have increased in patients with bipolar disorder. The standardized mortality ratio from suicide in bipolar disorder is estimated to be approximately 18 to 25, further emphasizing the lethality of the disorder.
HYPOMANIA
Commonly mentioned term is also a hypomania which represents a less serious form of mania, without progression to psychosis. What’s characteristic is that thee people with hypomania can be perceived as being energetic, euphoric, confident, and overflowing with new ideas, but they also often suffer from irritability or aggression.
MIXED STATE
Everyone should know that a mixed state is a condition during which symptoms of mania and clinical depression occur simultaneously. It could be a very complex state because many different symptoms can mix with each other such as agitation, anxiety, aggressiveness or belligerence, fatigue, guilt, impulsiveness, insomnia, disturbances in appetite, irritability, morbid or suicidal ideation, panic, paranoia, psychosis, pressured speech, indecisiveness and rage.
What is the problem with there mixed states is that they can involve panic attacks, substance abuse, and suicide attempts.
RAPID CYCLING
Unfortunately, there is a symptoms called the “Rapid cycling” which is the condition characterized by having four or more episodes per year. The fact is that it is found in a significant fraction of patients with bipolar disorder. Bad thing about this condition is that it has been associated with greater disability or a worse prognosis.
Bipolar disorder and other illnessesIt is extremely important to point out that alcohol and drug abuse are very common among people with bipolar disorder. This shouldn’t be misunderstood! Not too many of patients were “real” drug addicts but rather it represent a complication of their substance abuse problems, including self-medication of symptoms, mood symptoms either brought on or perpetuated by substance abuse, and risk factors that may influence the occurrence of both bipolar disorder and substance use disorders.
Experts are also saying that some anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, may also be common in people with bipolar disorder.
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