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Bipolar Disorder
What is it?
Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is a psychiatric disorder that involves cycling between depressive and manic episodes as described in the introduction of this health condition.
A major depressive episode lasts greater than two weeks and is associated with a depressed mood or a loss of pleasure or interest in ordinary activities. Patients experiencing a major depressive episode must also have five or more of the symptoms listed in the section: "What are the Symptoms?"
A manic episode involves a persistent and abnormally elevated mood lasting for at least one week. It also involves the patient having at least three of the symptoms listed in the section: "What are the Symptoms?"
A hypomanic episode lasts at least four days. Symptoms are similar for manic and hypomanic episodes: the difference being that hypomanic symptoms are milder than manic symptoms, and some people may even feel more productive during this time and deny anything is wrong. However without treatment, hypomania can develop into severe mania, so family members and caregivers need to be aware and help the person seek treatment.
Individuals can also experience a mixed episode. A mixed episode lasts for at least one week and consists of symptoms of both manic and depressive episodes.
There are two major classes of bipolar disorder: bipolar I and bipolar II. Bipolar I disorder is characterized by at least one manic episode with or without previous episodes of depression. Bipolar II disorder is characterized by one or more major depressive episodes accompanied by one or more hypomanic episodes.
The duration and intensity of mood states varies widely among people with bipolar disorder. Fluctuating from one mood state to the next is called "cycling". Mood swings can cause impaired or improved functioning. There can be changes in one's energy level, sleep pattern, activity level, social rhythms and mental performance. Left untreated, bipolar disorder can be a disabling and life-threatening condition.
During these times, some people may have marked impairment in judgment which may require hospitalization to prevent harm to themselves or others, especially if they have symptoms of psychosis.
Symptoms of psychosis include:
- Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, feeling or smelling things that are not actually there)
- Having paranoid beliefs or thoughts
- Jumbled thought process
- Difficulty writing or speaking
- Delusions (a false belief, that even when faced with fact is not realized to be false)
The symptoms of psychosis often reflect the mood that the individual is in. For example, a feeling of being invincible and having special powers and therefore engaging in dangerous behavior may be associated with a manic episode. On the other hand, a feeling of worthlessness and deserving to suffer may be associated with a depressive episode. Sometimes, when individuals with bipolar disorder have symptoms of psychosis, they are misdiagnosed as having another mental illness, schizophrenia.
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What is it?
