What you may not know about bipolar disorder

We’ve all heard of bipolar disorder.  Maybe we have a friend, relative, acquaintance, or perhaps ourselves with this mood disorder.  This mental illness can cause dramatic shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to think.  A person with bipolar disorder can fluctuate from feeling really down and depressed to feeling super-charged or manic.

All of us go through mood swings but for those with bipolar disorder, the swings are much more severe and noticeable than normal ups and downs most people experience.  When they are not going through a manic-depressive state, most people with bipolar disorder can live a relatively normal life. 

Here are other factors to know about bipolar disorder:

·      Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, just like diabetes or asthma. 

·      The average age-of-onset is around 25, but it can occur during the teen years or occasionally during childhood.

·      Both men and women are affected by it equally. Around 2.6% of the U.S. population has bipolar disorder with almost 83% classified as severe.

·      During a manic phase, a person may impulsively quit their job, not sleep for days or max out their credit card.  They are susceptible to engaging in promiscuous sex, alcohol, drugs, or gambling.  After a manic episode, depression often sets in.  This can lead to feelings of hopelessness or despair as they contemplate on what they may have done.

·      There is not known cause of bipolar disorder – some believe it is due to changes in the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically noradrenalin, serotonin, and dopamine.  However, it can run in families – a person is more likely to have it if there are other members of a family with the condition.

·      Triggers for bipolar disorder can often be a stressful situation or circumstance.  This could be related to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, money issues, or the death of a loved one or close friend.

·      Diagnosing bipolar disorder can be hard to recognize.  Some clues that a person might have the condition are those with sleep problems, erratic behavior, alcohol or drug abuse, difficulty in the workplace, irritability, inability to complete tasks, and depression.

·      To confirm a diagnosis, a person needs to be evaluated by their physician which may include a physical exam with lab tests, psychiatric assessment, and mood charting in which a person keeps a daily record of their moods or sleep patterns.  Another method used is to compare a person’s symptoms with the criteria for bipolar and related disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5). 

·      The good news is bipolar is treatable.  The most effective treatment is a mood stabilizing agent.  These medications even out the troughs and peaks of mood swings helping to keep a person more stabilized. 

·      Whatever medication may be prescribed, in order for it to be effective for treating bipolar disorder, they need to take it every day.

·      When cognitive-behavioral therapy is combined with medication, it can help a person improve faster and to stay well for longer periods of time.

·      Making good lifestyle choices is one of the best things someone with bipolar can do.  To improve symptoms, they should avoid too much alcohol or any drug or cigarette use, exercise every day, keep a regular sleep schedule, and share their experiences with others who understand what they are going through.