What is bipolar disorder? How is bipolar disorder understood? Symptoms and treatment…

If untreated, you can find in our news what to know about bipolar disorder, which makes it difficult to cope consistently at work, at home, at school, or socially… What is bipolar disorder? Symptoms and treatment…

WHAT IS BIPOLAR DISORDERS?

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disease that causes unusual changes in mood, energy, activity levels, and ability to perform daily tasks.

There are four main types of bipolar disorder; all of them have clear changes in mood, energy and activity levels. These moods range from extreme "up", deep and energetic periods of behavior (known as manic episodes), very sad, "down" or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic episodes are known as hypomanic episodes.

Bipolar I Disorder

Identification of manic episodes lasting at least 7 days or with severe manic symptoms that the person will need urgent hospital care. Usually, depressive episodes also occur, typically lasting at least 2 weeks. Depression episodes with mixed features (also showing depression and manic symptoms) are also possible.

Bipolar II Disorder

Depressive period and hypomanic period are defined by the pattern, but it is not the fully developed manic period described above.

- Cyclothymic Disorder (also known as cyclothymia)

It is defined by numerous depressive symptoms periods lasting at least 2 years (1 year in children and adolescents), as well as numerous hypomanic symptom periods. However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for a hypomanic episode and a depressive episode.

Other specified and unspecified bipolar and related disorders

It is identified by symptoms of bipolar disorder that do not match the three categories listed above. ,

BIPOLAR DISORDERS SYMPTOMS

People with bipolar disorder experience unusually intense emotional periods, changes in sleep patterns and activity levels, and unusual behavior. These different periods are called “mood episodes”. Mood episodes differ greatly from moods and behaviors typical of the person. Excessive changes in energy, activity, and sleep go along with mood episodes.

Sometimes a mood episode includes symptoms of both manic and depressive symptoms. This is called a section with mixed features. People who experience a section with mixed features may feel very sad, empty, or hopeless, while at the same time feel extremely energetic.

Bipolar disorder can occur even if mood swings are less extreme. For example, some people with bipolar disorder experience hypomania, a less severe form of mania. During a hypomanic event, an individual can feel very good and be very productive. The person may not feel that something is wrong, but family and friends may consider changes in mood and / or activity levels as possible bipolar disorder. Without proper treatment, severe mania or depression may develop in patients with hypomania.

BIPOLAR DISORDER TREATMENT

Treatment helps many people - even those with the most severe forms of bipolar disorder - have better control of mood swings and other bipolar symptoms. An effective treatment plan usually includes a combination of drug therapy and psychotherapy (also known as "speech therapy"). Bipolar disorder is a lifelong disease. Mania and depression periods typically come back over time. Between sections, many people with bipolar disorder have no mood swings, but some people may have permanent symptoms. Long-term, continuous treatment helps control these symptoms.

Drugs

Different medications can help control symptoms of bipolar disorder. A person may need to try several different drugs before finding the ones that work best.

Medications commonly used to treat bipolar disorder include:

- Spirit stabilizers
- Atypical antipsychotics
- Antidepressants

Anyone who takes medication should do the following:

Talk to a doctor or pharmacist to understand the risks and benefits of the drug.

Immediately report concerns about side effects to a doctor. The doctor may need to change the dose or try a different drug.

Avoid stopping taking the medicine before talking to the doctor. Stopping a drug suddenly can cause "kickback" or worsening symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Other annoying or potentially dangerous retreat effects are also possible.

- Psychotherapy

When combined with medicines, psychotherapy (also known as “speech therapy”) can be an effective treatment for bipolar disorder. It can provide support, education and guidance to people with bipolar disorder and their families. Some psychotherapy treatments used to treat bipolar disorder include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Family-oriented therapy
- Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy
- Psychoeducation

- Other Treatment Options

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): ECT can provide relief to people with severe bipolar disorder that cannot heal with other treatments. Sometimes ECT is used for bipolar symptoms when other medical conditions, including pregnancy, make drugs very risky. ECT can cause some short-term side effects such as confusion, disorientation, and memory loss. People with bipolar disorder should discuss the possible benefits and risks of ECT with a qualified healthcare professional.

Sleep medications: People with bipolar disorder and having trouble sleeping often say treatment is helpful. However, if insomnia does not improve, the doctor may recommend changes in their medication. If the problem persists, the doctor may prescribe sedatives or other sleeping medications.