Bipolar disorder involves periods of excitability (mania) alternating with periods of depression. The "mood swings" between mania and depression can be very abrupt.
Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally. It usually appears between ages 15 - 25. The exact cause is unknown, but it occurs more often in relatives of people with bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder results from disturbances in the areas of the brain that regulate mood.
There are two primary types of bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder I have had at least one fully manic episode with periods of major depression. In the past, bipolar disorder I was called manic depression.
People with bipolar disorder II seldom experience full-fledged mania. Instead they experience periods of hypomania (elevated levels of energy and impulsiveness that are not as extreme as the symptoms of mania). These hypomanic periods alternate with episodes of major depression.
A mild form of bipolar disorder called cyclothymia involves periods of hypomania and mild depression, with less severe mood swings. People with bipolar disorder II or cyclothymia may be misdiagnosed as having depression alone.
Symptoms
The manic phase may last from days to months and can include the following symptoms:
Agitation or irritation
Elevated mood
Hyperactivity
Increased energy
Lack of self-control
Racing thoughts
Inflated self-esteem (delusions of grandeur, false beliefs in special abilities)
Bipolar Disorder(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Bipolar, or manic-depressive disorder, is a mood disorder that causes radical emotional changes and mood swings, from manic highs to depressive lows. The majority of bipolar individuals experience alternating episodes of mania and depression .
Cyclothymic disorder(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Cyclothymic disorder is a mild form of bipolar disorder in which a person has mood swings from mild or moderate depression to euphoria and excitement, but stays connected to reality. Reviewer: Timothy A. Rogge, MD, private practice in Psychiatry, Kirkland, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 08/24/2008
Bipolar Disorder(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A condition (also called manic depression) characterized by extreme mood swings that alternate between depression and mania (a state of exaggerated elation and euphoria). According to the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), bipolar disorder affects an estimated 2 million Americans (roughly 1% of the population). The disease usually begins in the teens or early 20s and affects males and females equally. Children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at above-average risk for bipolar disorder: about one in four has or will develop it. Within a 10-year period, a person whose bipolar disorder is not treated with medication usually goes through an average of four depression/mania episodes. However, the pattern varies widely: mood swings can occur as frequently as four or more times a month, or as seldom as once every five years. Bipolar disorder is the depressive illness considered most likely to have a biological cause, thought to be an imbalance in the brain's chemistry. The condition has also been associated with the biological clock that synchronizes one's internal body rhythms with external events. Bipolar disorder is often inherited. In one study, 25% of children with one manic-depressive parent inherited the disorder, and 75% of children with two manic-depressive parents became manic-depressive. An episode of psychotic depression in teenagers is twice as likely to be followed by a manic episode within five years if there is a family history of bipolar disorder. Also, bipolar disorder is often shared by identical twins. The depressed cycle of a person with bipolar disorder has the characteristics of major depression. Symptoms include sadness, apathy, and lack of energy. There may also be significant changes in appetite or weight; slowed-down movements; problems with concentration; feelings of worthlessness; guilt feelings; and suicidal impulses. In the manic state, people with bipolar disorder become euphoric: their thoughts race; their speech is rapid and shifts abruptly from one topic to another; they are constantly occupied, attempting to perform many activities at once, and often have trouble sitting still or sleeping; and they also demonstrate an exaggerated sense of self-confidence, manifested by the belief that they can perform extraordinary feats beyond the ability of the average person. Also common are spending sprees, with excessive sums of money spent on frivolous items, and provocative and/or promiscuous sexual behavior. While in a manic phase, persons with bipolar disorder typically resent any criticism of their behavior, and become irritable or angry when others attempt to calm them down, or when they fail to complete all their projects. Hallucinations or delusions may also occur. A symptom of bipolar disorder especially common among teenagers is extreme mood-lability (rapid changes in mood). Adolescents with bipolar disorder develop normally until the illness first manifests itself. Their lives are then severely disrupted by the illness. In fact, bipolar disorder is especially disruptive to adolescents, more so than to other age groups: major milestones, such as dating, may be delayed for years until the disease is under control. Schoolwork also suffers because cognitive functioning is affected and concentration impaired. Teens with manic depression are likely to abuse drugs or alcohol to alleviate the anxiety caused by the condition—roughly two-thirds of all persons with bipolar disorder have substance abuse or dependency problems. Unless it is treated, the illness gets worse with each episode and harder to control. In addition, 15% of those who fail to receive adequate treatment for bipolar disorder commit suicide. Common misdiagnoses of bipolar disorder include schizophrenia, drug or alcohol dependence, unipolar disorder, and personality disorders. It is common to suffer from bipolar disorder for as long as seven to 10 years without having the condition diagnosed and treated
Mania(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Mania is an abnormally elated mental state, typically characterized by feelings of euphoria, lack of inhibitions, racing thoughts, diminished need for sleep, talkativeness, risk taking, and irritability. In extreme cases, mania can induce hallucinations and other psychotic symptoms.
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