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Bipolar Disorder Treatment: Symptoms, Classification, Diagnosis & Recovery

Extreme mood swings characterized by emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression) are the characteristic features of bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression.

When you're depressed, you could experience feelings of sadness or despair as well as lose interest in or pleasure from most things. Mania or hypomania, which is less severe than mania, can cause mood swings that include euphoria, excessive energy, or extraordinary irritability. Sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behavior, and the capacity for thinking clearly can all be impacted by these mood changes.

Mood swing episodes may occur infrequently or frequently throughout the year. Some people may not have any emotional symptoms in between bouts, but most people will. Even though bipolar disorder is a lifelong diagnosis, you can control other symptoms like mood swings by adhering to a treatment plan. The majority of the time, psychotherapy and medication are used to manage bipolar disorder.

Although the exact cause of bipolar disorder is uncertain, several factors, including:

  • Biological differences: The brains of individuals suffering from bipolar disorder seem to undergo physical alterations. Although the significance of these changes is still unknown, they could potentially help in identifying the root causes.
  • Genetics: Those who have a parent or sibling who is a first-degree relative with bipolar disorder are more likely to suffer from the condition themselves.

Bipolar disorder and its linked disorders come in various forms. They could consist of depression and mania or hypomania. The unpredictability of mood and behavior swings brought on by symptoms can cause severe discomfort and make living challenging.

  • Bipolar I Disorder: You have experienced at least one manic episode, which may have been followed or preceded by serious depression or hypomanic episodes. Mania can sometimes lead to psychosis or a detachment from reality.
  • Bipolar II Disorder: You have never experienced a manic episode, but you have experienced at least one major depressive episode and one hypomanic episode.
  • Cyclothymic disorder: You've experienced multiple episodes of hypomania symptoms and depression symptoms (but not as severe as major depression) for at least two years, or one year in adolescents and teenagers.
  • Other types: These include, bipolar disorder and associated disorders caused by specific medicines or alcohol, or resulting from physical conditions like multiple sclerosis, stroke, or Cushing's disease.

Bipolar II disorder is a distinct diagnosis rather than a less severe variation of bipolar I illness. People with bipolar II condition may experience prolonged periods of depression, which can significantly hinder their lives, in contrast to the extreme and hazardous manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder.

While bipolar disorder may develop at any age, it is usually identified in adolescence or the early twenties. Distinctive variations in symptoms as well as changes in symptoms over time are possible.

An episode of manic or hypomanic behavior involves three or more of the following symptoms-

  • Unusually happy, jittery, or wired
  • Heightened vigor, vitality, or excitement
  • Exaggerated feelings of confidence and well-being (euphoria)
  • Reduced requirement for sleep
  • Unusual talkativeness
  • Scattered thoughts
  • Distraction
  • Making poor decisions, such as going on shopping binges, taking sexual risks with your partner, or making unwise investments

To diagnose bipolar disorder, your assessment can consist of the following:

  • Physical Examination: To find any medical issues that might be causing your symptoms, your doctor might perform lab testing and a physical examination.
  • Psychological evaluation: A psychiatrist will speak with you about your thoughts, feelings, and behavioral patterns after receiving a referral from your doctor. You can also complete a questionnaire or psychological self-assessment. We may ask close friends or family members for details about your symptoms if you give permission.
  • Charting emotions: You could be requested to record your moods, sleep habits, or other details daily to help in diagnosis and treatment selection.
  • Bipolar disorder criteria: Your psychiatrist may compare your symptoms to the bipolar and associated disorder criteria found in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
  • Diagnosis for children: While the diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder in children and teenagers are the same as those used in adults, symptoms in younger patients frequently exhibit distinct patterns and may not properly fall into established categories. Additionally, bipolar illness is commonly co-diagnosed in children with other mental health issues like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or behavioral issues, which can complicate the diagnosing process. It is advised to refer a child psychiatrist with knowledge of bipolar disorder.

Psychiatrists, medical professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health diseases, are suitable individuals to advise treatment decisions for bipolar disorder and related illnesses. A psychiatric nurse, social worker, and psychologist might also be on your treatment team.

  • Medications: Often, you'll need to start taking medicine straight away to stabilize your mood.
  • Continuous Treatment: Even at times when you feel better, bipolar disorder requires drug therapy for the rest of your life. Individuals who avoid ongoing therapy have a greater risk of experiencing a return of symptoms or of experiencing mild mood swings that develop into manic or depressive episodes.
  • Treatment plans for day programs: Your physician might suggest a day therapy program. These programs offer the assistance and guidance you require to manage your symptoms.
  • Treatment plans for substance abuse: You will also require substance addiction treatment if you struggle with alcoholism or drug misuse. Bipolar disorder can be extremely difficult to treat otherwise.
  • Hospitalization: If your behavior is risky, you feel suicidal, or you become psychotic—detachment from reality—your doctor may suggest that you be admitted to the hospital. Receiving mental health care at a hospital can help you manage your mood and be safe and composed, regardless of whether you're experiencing a manic or major depressive episode.
  • Psychotherapy: Treatment for bipolar disorder involves psychotherapy, which can be given in group, family, or individual settings. These include Family-focused therapy, Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT), Psychoeducation, and Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
  • Additional forms of treatment include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which involves deliberately inducing a brief seizure through the application of electrical currents throughout the brain. ECT appears to alter brain chemistry in a way that helps alleviate the symptoms of some mental diseases. If antidepressants aren't working for you due to a medical condition like pregnancy, you don't respond well to medicine, or you run a high risk of suicide, ECT might be an option for your bipolar treatment. A treatment option being researched for those who have not responded to antidepressants is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

Even though there is no known treatment for bipolar disorder, sufferers may go for extended periods without experiencing any symptoms. Long-term mood stability is achievable for bipolar disorder sufferers with continued medication and self-management. During periods of recovery, people could have minimal or absent symptoms.

While some bipolar disease sufferers may have periods of recovery, others might not. Everybody's experience with the illness and its care is unique. It is crucial to keep looking for methods to improve treatment rather than placing the blame on the patient if they continue to experience symptoms despite receiving treatment. Numerous individuals with the illness frequently experience recurrent mood difficulties.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the causes of bipolar disorder?

A. The actual causation of bipolar disorder is unknown, however various factors, such as: Biological distinctions: Bipolar disorder patients seem to experience neurological changes in their brains. Although the importance of these changes is not yet clear, they may eventually point to their root causes. Genetics: People who have a first-degree family with the disorder, such as a sibling or parent, are more likely to experience bipolar disorder. Researchers are looking for genes that might contribute to the development of bipolar disorder.


Q. What are the treatment modalities available for Bipolar Disorder?

A. Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness. A person during the illness may not know that he/she has a mood-related disorder. But, the changes in the person’s mood, behavior, and thoughts can be observed by others. Due to illness disturbances in routine, relationships, and workplace are often observed.For the management of the symptoms, hospitalization is recommended. Also as there are risks to self and others, inpatient treatment helps manage it better.


Q. What are the types of Bipolar Disorder?  

A. Bipolar I Bipolar 1 may be identified if you have gone through the following: At least one manic episode that lasted more than a week. Although not everyone experiences depression episodes, some do. Bipolar II If you have gone through both of the following, you can be diagnosed with bipolar 2: at least one episode of depression. hypomanic symptoms that have persisted for at least four days. Cyclothymia Cyclothymia could be identified if: Over the past two years or more, you've encountered both hypomanic and depressive mood episodes. The bipolar 1 or bipolar 2 diagnosis criteria are not met by your symptoms. Cyclothymia can occasionally progress to bipolar 1 or bipolar 2 disorder.

Explore Top Hospitals Worldwide for Bipolar Disorder Treatment

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