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Just wondering, b serious please

2006-07-15 17:16:55 · 22 answers · asked by Me 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting Adolescent

22 answers

"Bipolar Disorder is an illness that results from an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, which can cause extreme fluctuations of mood from the heights of mania (elevated mood which may be out of character for the individual) to the depths of depression (persistent low mood). Everyone experiences happiness and sadness, however those that live with Bipolar Disorder feel these mood changes at an exaggerated level. The changes are often referred to as cycles or episodes."

2006-07-15 17:20:04 · answer #1 · answered by Fancy You 6 · 1 0

Bipolar is what's known as a mood disorder. The symptoms include mood swings, so that a victim goes from being extremely happy and energetic to hopelessly down and depressed. Certainly all people have their highs and lows, but for a bipolar the changes take place very rapidly and for no reason. In severe cases, people diagnosed with bipolar 1, other symptoms might be hallucinations, hearing voices, and seeing apparitions. The good news is that there are medications available now, mood stabilizers and anti-depressants, even anti-psychotics, that will control the disorder very effectively so that a BP can usually lead a normal life.

There are details I left out because it would take several pages to cover it all. If you really interested, you can look up articles on the web. Just enter Bipolar Disorder,

2006-07-15 17:35:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Definition of Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder: A mood disorder sometimes called manic-depressive illness or manic-depression that characteristically involves cycles of depression and elation or mania. Sometimes the mood switches from high to low and back again are dramatic and rapid, but more often they are gradual and slow, and intervals of normal mood may occur between the high (manic) and low (depressive) phases of the condition. The symptoms of both the depressive and manic cycles may be severe and often lead to impaired functioning.

Both phases of the disease are deleterious. Mania affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that may cause serious problems and embarrassment. For example, unwise business or financial decisions may be made when an individual is in a manic phase. Depression can also affect thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that may cause grave problems. For example, it elevates the risk of suicide. About 5.7 million American adults, or about 2.6 percent of the population aged 18 and older, have bipolar disorder.

Although bipolar disorder often worsens over time if untreated, most people with bipolar disorder can achieve stabilization of their mood swings and reduction of symptoms with proper treatment. Treatment usually consists of medications known as “mood stabilizers.”

2006-07-15 17:20:25 · answer #3 · answered by Irish 1 · 0 0

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide.

2006-07-15 17:20:07 · answer #4 · answered by a7x_chick813 3 · 0 0

people that have lots of mood swings in the day or month



What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder (also called manic-depressive disorder) is an illness that causes extreme mood changes that alternate between manic episodes of abnormally high energy and the extreme lows of depression.

Bipolar disorder may cause behavior so severe that you may not be able to function at work, in family or social situations, or in relationships with others. Some people with bipolar disorder become suicidal.

What causes bipolar disorder?
The cause of bipolar disorder is not completely understood, but the disorder runs in families and may also be affected by your living environment or family situation. An imbalance of chemicals in the brain is another possible cause.

What are the symptoms?
During a manic episode, you may be abnormally happy, energetic, or irritable for a week or more. You may spend a lot of money, get involved in dangerous activities, and sleep very little. After a manic episode, you may return to normal, but your mood may swing in the opposite direction to feelings of sadness, depression, and hopelessness. When you are depressed, you may have trouble concentrating, remembering, and making decisions; have changes in your eating and sleeping habits; and lose interest in things you once enjoyed.

The mood changes of bipolar disorder can be mild or extreme. They may develop gradually over several days or weeks, or come on suddenly within minutes or hours. The manic or depressive episodes may only last a few hours or for several months.

How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?
Because it has many phases and symptoms, bipolar disorder is complex and hard to diagnose. There are no lab tests for bipolar disorder; instead your doctor or therapist will ask detailed questions about what kind of symptoms you have and how long they last. In order to be diagnosed as bipolar, you must have had a manic episode lasting at least a week (less if you had to be hospitalized). During this time, you must have had three or more specific symptoms of mania, such as needing less sleep, being more talkative, behaving wildly or irresponsibly in activities that could have serious outcomes, or feeling as if your thoughts are racing.

Your urine and blood may be tested to rule out other problems that could be causing your symptoms.

How is it treated?
Bipolar disorder is mainly treated with medications to manage manic episodes and periods of depression. Your doctor may try several medications before finding the right combination to manage your symptoms long-term. Medications include mood stabilizers and antipsychotics. Antidepressants are used carefully for episodes of depression, because they cause some people to cycle into a manic phase.

Counseling for you and your and family is also an important treatment for bipolar disorder.

People with extreme cases of mania may be hospitalized to protect them from risky behaviors, such as driving recklessly or having delusions. During a severe bout of depression, hospitalization may be necessary to prevent the person from committing suicide.

Who is affected by bipolar disorder?
Over 3 million Americans—about 1% of the population—suffer from bipolar disorder, with similar rates existing in other countries. 1 Bipolar disorder occurs equally among males and females. It often begins between the ages of 15 and 24. 2

2006-07-15 18:31:56 · answer #5 · answered by kay2angel 4 · 0 0

Literally it's being at both ends of the spectrum. People with bipolar disorder experience times of serious depression and being too hyper and happy all at once. It is a serious problem that needs treatment.

2006-07-15 17:23:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

used to be called manic depressive disorder. a person with this will be depressed for a while then suddenly their brain shifts to manic phase, meaning they get very hyper, talk fast, feel really great, maybe be irritible, some get irrational and spend money, do reckess things, then they go back to depressed again. it's like a cycle of extremes in emotions. it can be months between cycles, or some people can switch from one to other extreme in a day. some people w. depression are really bipolar but they only go to the doctor when they feel down, so it's not diagnosed.

2006-07-15 17:22:15 · answer #7 · answered by foxfirevigil 4 · 0 0

My mom.

Actually, bipolar is a mental disorder in which the afflicted has radically different mood swings. A bipolar can be estatically happy one minute, then swing into a depressed state, then get super-mad- all for no apparent reason. I don't know what causes it though.

2006-07-15 17:21:08 · answer #8 · answered by ATWolf 5 · 0 0

differen episodes of being manic and then depressed. just think of it as someone starting on top of a mountain and then giong all the way to the bottom of a valley every week. these people are usually traumatized in some sort to provoke this disorder, but some doctors believe chemical imbalances cause it.

2006-07-15 17:20:19 · answer #9 · answered by Johnny Blaze 3 · 0 0

bipolor is a disorder...i have bipolor to be honest...and its a disorder wher basically you cant control your emotions...you may feel happy at one second and break out in tears the next...but there are ways to control bipolor i take a medication each day...that is the most reliable way that scientist have found out...but you can never get rid of bipolor...its not fun...cause your body changes as you grow older so your mind changes too...so there is a point when you will have to change medications...like for me im in my teen years so im growing alot right now and my mind and body are changing alot so i have been having to change my medications every two months or so...but i hope i was a little bit of a help...

2006-07-15 18:53:12 · answer #10 · answered by danielle m 2 · 0 0

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