Bipolar Disorder: Understanding Episodes and Treatments

Bipolar disorder is one of the most important mental illnesses that affect millions of people worldwide. The disease is characterized by extreme mood changes, from manic episodes of elation and incalculable energy to depressive episodes of deep sorrow and utter despair. Thus, understanding bipolar is of utmost importance both for the afflicted individual and their family.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, previously called manic-depressive disorder, is a chronic and recurrent mental health issue that results in extreme changes in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the capacity for carrying out day-to-day tasks. These unpredictable swings can be severe and can impede someone from carrying on with their life.

Manic Episodes: 

Ecstasy in the Extreme

Manic episodes are periods of extremely elevated moods with ludicrous amounts of energy, impulsivity, and racing thoughts. People feel euphoric, reckless, having the sensation that they are above all and needing less sleep. Some common 

characteristics include:

Feeling wonderful or extremely irritable.

Reduced need for sleep.

Speaking very fast and drifting from topic to topic.

Impeccable and risky behavior.

An example of a behavior someone with mania might engage in would be to go on a shopping spree, spending large amounts of money on impulse purchases, or recklessly putting themselves in harm's way without consideration of the consequences.

Bipolar Depression: 

The Abyss of Hopelessness

Bipolar depression, the polar opposite of mania, is equally intense. The person during these episodes would feel terribly sad, have no interest in any pleasurable activity, feel very fatigued, and even contemplate suicide.

Symptoms may include:

A constant feeling of sadness and hopelessness.

Loss of interests in activities once enjoyed.

A very tired, fatigued feeling.

Problems with focus and decision-making.

Changes in appetite and sleep patterns.

It's important to understand that bipolar depression is not simply sadness; it's an extremely debilitating condition that warrants medical care.

Treatment and Management of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder has no cure, but treatment techniques can be very effective in alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life. Treatment options for bipolar disorder often involve the combination of medication and therapy.

Mood Stabilizers:

The Brain of Treatment

Mood stabilizers refer to a wide range of medications used to stable up moods without causing clinical depression or extreme mania. Lithium is one of the most widely used mood stabilizers and arguably the most effective. Other such medications include valproate and lamotrigine.

The search for medication and dosage should be guided by the psychiatrist, since the response to medication is different in every individual.

Therapy:

Learning to Manage Symptoms

Such therapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can assist a person in learning skills to manage symptoms, identify triggers, and foster better interpersonal relationships. Therapy could also be useful for the family members to understand and support their loved ones.

Healthy Lifestyle: The Key Component

A healthy lifestyle, perhaps, is the most crucial...