Bipolar Disorder
- BIPOLAR DISORDER
Bipolar disorder or manic-depressive disorder, which is also referred to as bipolar
affective disorder or manic depression, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a
category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of
abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition and mood with or without one or more
depressive episodes. The elevated moods are clinically referred to as mania or, if
milder hypomania. Individuals who experience manic episodes also commonly
experience depressive episodes, or symptoms, or mixed episode in which features
of both mania and depression are present at the same time.
These episodes are usually separated by periods of “normal” mood; but in some individuals, depression
and mania may rapidly alternate, which is known as rapid cycling. In the present unit
we will first discuss the symptoms and types of bipolar disorder, after that we will
explain the causes of bipolar disorder and finally we will come across to the treatment
and prognosis of bipolar disorder.
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- Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is distinguished from major depression by at least one episode of
mania. Any given episode is classified as depressive, manic, or mixed, according to
its predominant features. If individuals experience only one of these moods (for
example, either mania or depression), they are said to suffer only Unipolar mood
disorder. Since the experience of manic symptoms alone is extremely rare, almost all
individuals with unipolar mood disorders suffer from unipolar depression
If the individual alternates between experiences of depression and mania he/she is
said to be suffering from a bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a condition in which
people experience abnormally elevated (manic or hypomanic) and, in many cases,
abnormally depressed states for periods of time in a way that interferes with
functioning.
- Classification of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar I Disorder
Bipolar I Disorder
Cyclothymia
Bipolar Disorder NOS (Not Otherwise Specified)
- Causes of Bipolar Disorder
Although causes of bipolar disorder likely vary between individuals. But studies
suggest that both biological and psychological factors seem to play a role in
determining whether a person will develop symptoms of bipolar disorder.
- Factors of bipolar
- Biological Factors or Psychological Factors
- Biological Factors
Studies conducted on the families of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder show
that there is strong tendency for other family members also to have higher than
expected risk for a mood disorder of some type including bipolar disorder Results of studies indicated that about nine percent of the first degree
relatives of a person with bipolar illness can also be expected to have bipolar
disorder (nine times the rate of the disorder in the general population)
. Although family studies cannot by themselves
establish a genetic basis for the disorder, results from twin studies also point to a
Bipolar Disorder
Mood Disorders
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genetic basis. Twin studies have been limited by relatively small sample sizes but have
indicated a substantial genetic contribution, as well as environmental influence.
- Psychological Factors
Evidence suggests that psychological factors play a significant role in the development
and course of bipolar disorder, and that individual psychosocial variable may interact
with genetic dispositions .There is fairly consistent evidence
from prospective studies that recent life events and interpersonal relationships contribute
to the likelihood of onsets and recurrences of bipolar mood episodes, as they do for
onsets and recurrences of unipolar depression (Alloy et. al., 2005). Environmental
stressors can sometimes be important in setting off either an initial or additional manic
episode.
- Treatment
There are a number of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic techniques used to
treat Bipolar Disorder. Hospitalization may be required especially with the manic
episodes present in Bipolar I.
Because bipolar disorder is a lifelong and recurrent illness, people with the disorder
need long term treatment to maintain control of bipolar symptoms. An effective
maintenance treatment plan includes medication and psychotherapy for preventing
relapse and reducing symptom severity
