About Information On Bipolar Disorder: Information On Bipolar Disorder

Read information on bipolar disorder and the implications it can have on the entire family. It can even lead to depression. Depression not only affects the person who is going through it, but also everyone around them, including friends, family, loved ones, spouses, and children.

The suicide threat

It is normal to have ups and downs in our life with `on’ days and `off’ days that come with it' but for those who are victims of bipolar disorder these highs and lows are much more severe. The extreme highs and lows can disrupt normal life' school careers' job careers and damage relationships. Though bipolar disorder is treatable and manageable' most people either do not recognize early symptoms or just want to live in denial' and not get the help needed on time. Without treatment bipolar gets worse and will get to a point which will then be very difficult to manage.

Bipolar disorder which is also known as manic depression or manic depressive illness' has dramatic mood shifts from the highs of mania to the lows of major depression. The cycle of good or bad mood can last for days' weeks or months. Unlike in normal mood swings' with bipolar disorder the gravity of the consequences can be very dangerous. During a manic episode' a victim might feel compelled to quit a job' use the credit card rather irresponsibly or feel alright after sleeping for two hours. During a depressive episode' the same person may not feel like wanting to get out of bed and may go through immense guilt for quitting the job and piling up the credit card bills.

First signs of manic or depressive episode of bipolar disorder is evident in teenage years or early adult hood.

Bipolar disorder involves periods of elevated mood' or mania. At the same time sometimes' but not always' the disorder also goes through periods of depression. In a normal bipolar victim goes from one extreme to the other. In the manic phase' feelings of heightened energy' creativity and euphoria are common. They are usually very hyperactive and feel they are very powerful.

The depressive stage of bipolar disorder can be similar to that of major depression with evident differences. In comparison with major depression' bipolar depression is more likely to have symptoms that reflect low energy. Such people are likely to move and speak slowly and sleep a lot. They are also likely to undergo psychotic depression' which makes them lose contact with reality. Common symptoms of bipolar depression include:

• Lack of interest
• Feeling hopeless' sad or empty
• Tired or loss of energy
• Physical and mental sluggishness
• Increase or decrease of appetite resulting in weight changes
• Lack of too much of sleep
• Lack of concentration and memory problems
• Feelings of self hate' shame or guilt
And more dangerously
• Thoughts of death or suicide

There are several kinds of bipolar disorders such as.

Bipolar 1 and Mania disorder causes severe mood swings' from mania to depression. Only in rare cases' they experience only mania.

Bipolar II and Hypomania disorder suffers from severe depression with occasional `mild’ mania episodes' called hypomania.

Cyclothymic disorder swings between hypomania and mild depression. It is not as severe as either Bipolar I or II' but tends to stay on for longer periods. Sufferers can become either victims of full-blown bipolar disorder or can continue as a mild condition.

Mixed bipolar disorder has both mania and depression at the same time. The sufferer may be high in energy but at the same time may be irritable' angry and moody' which can be dangerous risking suicide.

Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder has four or more mood episodes during a 12 month cycle. It is possible to for some people to experience multiple episodes within a single week' or may even be within the same day. Rapid cycling usually occurs in the latter part of the illness. Women are more prone than men to have rapid cycling which can increase the risk of severe depression and attempts of suicide.

Due to the self destructive nature of the disease' it is important to identify bipolar disorder as early as possible and provide appropriate treatment to manage and control the sickness.