BIPOLAR DISORDER
NAME- NIKITA
KARAMCHANDANI
GROUP- 49
WHAT IS BIPOLAR DISORDER!?
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder
that causes changes in a person's
mood, energy, and ability to
function. People with bipolar
disorder experience intense
emotional states that typically
occur during distinct periods of
days to weeks, called mood
episodes. These mood episodes are
categorized as manic/hypomanic
(abnormally happy or irritable
mood) or depressive (sad mood).
People with bipolar disorder
generally have periods of neutral
mood as well.
People without bipolar disorder experience mood fluctuations as well.
However, these mood changes typically last hours rather than days.
Also, these changes are not usually accompanied by the extreme
degree of behavior change or difficulty with daily routines and social
interactions that people with bipolar disorder demonstrate during mood
episodes. Bipolar disorder can disrupt a person’s relationships with
loved ones and cause difficulty in working or going to school.
Bipolar disorder commonly runs in
families: 80 to 90 percent of
individuals with bipolar disorder
have a relative with bipolar disorder
or depression. Environmental
factors such as stress, sleep
disruption, and drugs and alcohol
may trigger mood episodes in
vulnerable people. Though the
specific causes of bipolar disorder
within the brain are unclear, an
imbalance of brain chemicals is
believed to lead to dysregulated
brain activity. The average age of
onset is 25 years old.
TYPES OF BIPOLAR DISORDERS
Bipolar disorder is a category that
includes three different diagnoses:
1. Bipolar I
2. Bipolar II
3. Cyclothymic disorder
Bipolar I Disorder
Bipolar I disorder is diagnosed
when a person experiences a manic
episode. During a manic episode,
people with bipolar I disorder
experience an extreme increase in
energy and may feel on top of the
world or uncomfortably irritable in
mood. Some people with bipolar I
disorder also experience depressive
or hypomanic episodes, and most
people with bipolar I disorder also
have periods of neutral mood.
Symptoms of Bipolar I Disorder
[Link] Episode- A manic episode is a period of at least one week when a
person is extremely high-spirited or irritable most of the day for most days,
possesses more energy than usual, and experiences at least three of the
following changes in behavior:
Decreased need for sleep (e.g., feeling energetic despite significantly less
sleep than usual
Increased or faster speech
Uncontrollable racing thoughts or quickly changing ideas or topics when
speaking
Distractibility
Increased activity (e.g., restlessness, working on several projects at once)
2. Hypomanic Episode- A hypomanic episode is characterized by less severe manic symptoms that
need to last only four days in a row rather than a week. Hypomanic symptoms do not lead to the major
problems in daily functioning that manic symptoms commonly cause.
3. Major Depressive Episode- A major depressive episode is a period of at least two weeks in which a
person has at least five of the following symptoms:
Intense sadness or despair
Loss of interest in activities the person once enjoyed
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Fatigue
Increased or decreased sleep
Increased or decreased appetite
Restlessness (e.g., pacing) or slowed speech or movement
Difficulty concentrating
Frequent thoughts of death or suicide
Bipolar II Disorder
A diagnosis of bipolar II disorder
requires someone to have at least
one major depressive episode and
at least one hypomanic episode
(see above). People return to their
usual functioning between
episodes. People with bipolar II
disorder often first seek treatment
as a result of their first depressive
episode, since hypomanic episodes
often feel pleasurable and can even
increase performance at work or
school.
People with bipolar II disorder frequently have other mental illnesses
such as an anxiety disorder or substance use disorder, the latter of
which can exacerbate symptoms of depression or hypomania.
Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic disorder is a milder
form of bipolar disorder involving
many "mood swings," with
hypomania and depressive
symptoms that occur frequently.
People with cyclothymia
experience emotional ups and
downs but with less severe
symptoms than bipolar I or II
disorder.
Cyclothymic disorder symptoms include the following:
For at least two years, many periods of hypomanic and depressive
symptoms, but the symptoms do not meet the criteria for hypomanic
or depressive episode.
During the two-year period, the symptoms (mood swings) have lasted
for at least half the time and have never stopped for more than two
months.
Management
1. Mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium and valproic acid)- These medications
are believed to correct imbalanced brain signalling. Because bipolar
disorder is a chronic illness in which mood episodes typically recur,
ongoing preventive treatment is recommended. Bipolar disorder
treatment is individualized; people with bipolar disorder may need to
try different medications before finding what works best for them.
2. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
3. Psychotherapy
Treatment
4. Antidepressants
5. Talk therapy- talk therapy can help with the stresses of mood
swings. Keeping a mood journal can be an effective way to observe
patterns in mood fluctuation. People with cyclothymia may start and
stop treatment over time.
6. Antipsychotic medications- haloperidol, resperidone
Prevention
There's no sure way to prevent bipolar disorder. However, getting treatment at the earliest sign of a mental
health disorder can help prevent bipolar disorder or other mental health conditions from worsening.
If you've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, some strategies can help prevent minor symptoms from
becoming full-blown episodes of mania or depression:
Pay attention to warning signs. Addressing symptoms early on can prevent episodes from getting
worse. You may have identified a pattern to your bipolar episodes and what triggers them. Call your
doctor if you feel you're falling into an episode of depression or mania. Involve family members or friends
in watching for warning signs.
Avoid drugs and alcohol. Using alcohol or recreational drugs can worsen your symptoms and make
them more likely to come back.
Take your medications exactly as directed. You may be tempted to stop treatment — but don't.
Stopping your medication or reducing your dose on your own may cause withdrawal effects or your
symptoms may worsen or return.