what is bipolar disorder?

Question

just out of curiosity...

Answer 1

Emotional highs and lows are part of life for everyone. But for someone with bipolar disorder, these ups and downs can be so extreme they can interfere with daily life. Sometimes they can even be dangerous.

One day a person with bipolar disorder may feel so depressed that they can't get out of bed. Work may seem impossible.

On another day that person may feel great, full of endless energy and creativity. But other people might think that their actions are reckless and out of control.

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong medical condition that can be confusing and unpredictable, but it's nothing to be embarrassed about. Learning more about bipolar disorder can be helpful in managing this medical illness.

There are four main types of bipolar disorder:
Bipolar I Disorder
Bipolar II Disorder
Cyclothymic Disorder
Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified


Bipolar I Disorder - Bipolar I disorder involves one or more manic or mixed episodes, and often one or more major depressive episodes. A depressive episode may last for several weeks or months. Between episodes of bipolar I disorder, there may be periods of normal functioning. Symptoms may also be related to seasonal changes.

Bipolar II Disorder - Bipolar II disorder involves one or more major depressive episodes along with at least one hypomanic episode. Hypomanic episodes have symptoms similar to manic episodes but are less severe. Between episodes of bipolar II disorder, there may be periods of normal functioning. Symptoms may also be related to seasonal changes.

Cyclothymic Disorder - Cyclothymic disorder is a long-term fluctuating mood disturbance with periods of hypomania and periods of depression. It is a milder form of bipolar disorder. That's because the periods of both depression and hypomania are shorter, less severe, and do not occur with regularity.

Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified - This type of bipolar disorder is when the person does not fit into the types of bipolar disorder mentioned above. The experiences of bipolar disorder vary from person to person. Just like the other types of bipolar disorder, bipolar disorder not otherwise specified is treatable.

Answer 2

Keeping it straightforward, it's a disorder that has two poles which tend to alternate. On the high end, the patient becomes manic (or hypomanic, which is a step or two lower in intensity). Mania is a state marked by overactivity, decreased need for sleep, euphoria, feeling better than warranted by situations, too much optimism, and consequently poor judgment (overspending, mingling with the wrong people, etc.). The opposite end is depression, in which the patient feels down in the dumps, blue, sad, lacks energy, has low interest in almost everything, etc. At times a bipolar patient can maintain a normal mood but it can be impossible to predict when they'll have the next episode of either depression or mania. With medication, any significant mood changes can be kept at a minimum. Patients on medication tend to live as close to a normal life as possible.

Answer 3

Thank you Dr B for your skillfully cut'n'pasted epic.


My version of 'what is bipolar, from th eperspective of a sufferer...

OK, so it's a mood disorder and a serious mental illness. It has a strong genetic component, but appears to be triggered environmentally. There are no diagnostic tests for it, just psychiatric evaluation. Most sufferers are not diagnosed until middle age, and it takes an average of around 8-10 years to get a correct diagnosis. Historically, figures suggested it affects about 0.8% of the population at some point, which makes it about half as common as schizophrenia. In recent years, bipolar disorder has become an 'in' diagnosis, and many more people are being diagnosed at younger and younger ages. As with ADHD, this fad may well pass with time, although for the moment many celebrities appear to be 'popularising' it.

It is characterised by episodes of severe clinical depression and mania or hypomania (for definitions of those, see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_diagnostic_criteria_for_bipolar_disorder ). The extreme end of mania often turns into psychosis, complete with hallucinations and delusions. During manic phases, the person's judgement and perception of reality is severely compromised, leading to risky actions with potentially damaging consequences (financially, sexually and relationship-wise). Untreated, episodes generally worsen over time due to an effect known as kindling. Untreated Bipolar sufferers are at a very high risk of suicide: 20-25% attempt it, and 15% succeed.

The cycles in bipolar disorder are much longer than people generally believe. Anyone whose mood changes from minute to minute is very unlikely to be bipolar. Bipolar 1 is characterised by mood episodes lasting many months, while Bipolar 2 has episodes in the region of weeks to months. Rapid and ultra-rapid cycling bipolar disorder is rare, and cycles last days to weeks.

There are many drugs available to treat the symptoms of bipolar (there is no cure). These are either anti-convulsants or anti-psychotics (personally I take both), and the most well known of these is Lithium. Most patients will go through a number of different drugs before finding one that works for them.

Answer 4

It is a pretty common mood disorder. The link below will take you to a site with a lot of info and I have copied the brief synopsis for you below.

http://www.medicinenet.com/bipolar_disorder/article.htm

Bipolar disorder, otherwise known as manic depression or bipolar depression, is a relatively common mood disorder that affects about 5.7 million Americans. Characterized by episodes of depression alternating with euphoric (manic) states, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are several and often affect an individual's daily functioning and interpersonal relationships.

Bipolar disorder symptoms include depression and feelings of hopelessness during the depressive phase of the condition. Other depressive symptoms include thoughts of suicide, alterations in sleep patterns, and loss of interest in activities that once were a source of pleasure. What differentiates bipolar disorder from major depression is the occurrence of manic episodes, often described as emotional "highs," between the episodes of depression. Symptoms of manic states are varied and include restlessness, increased energy, euphoric mood, racing thoughts, poor judgment, intrusive or provocative behavior, difficulty concentrating, and a decreased need for sleep. People experiencing manic episodes often speak very rapidly, seem overly irritable, and may have unrealistic beliefs about their own power and capability.

Fortunately, bipolar disorder is a treatable condition. With appropriate treatment, most people suffering from bipolar disorder can achieve substantial stabilization of their mood swings and are able to lead a normal life. Treatment of bipolar disorder involves medications known as "mood stabilizers." Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) is the most commonly prescribed mood stabilizer for people with bipolar disorder, but some anticonvulsant medications, including valproate (Depakote) or carbamazepine (Tegretol), also can have mood-stabilizing effects and may be used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

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. But there is good news: bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.

About 5.7 million American adults or about 2.6 percent of the population age 18 and older in any given year1 have bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood. However, some people have their first symptoms during childhood, and some develop them late in life. It is often not recognized as an illness, and people may suffer for years before it is properly diagnosed and treated. Like diabetes or heart disease, bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that must be carefully managed throughout a person's life.

"Manic-depression distorts moods and thoughts, incites dreadful behaviors, destroys the basis of rational thought, and too often erodes the desire and will to live. It is an illness that is biological in its origins, yet one that feels psychological in the experience of it; an illness that is unique in conferring advantage and pleasure, yet one that brings in its wake almost unendurable suffering and, not infrequently, suicide."

Answer 5

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Answer 6

It is a disorder in which a person can experience recurrent attacks of depression and mania or hypomania .It used to be called manic depression.

Answer 7

Basically it is a Manic Depressive disorder x

Answer 8

well theres bi polar where you have uncontrollable ups and down horrendous really then theres mania and cyclathimic people who zoom up but then bang real low mental health is so diverse and the brain can easily dysfunction i have add which is a form of the brain dysfunctioning and i can get preety overwhelmed by life but hey ho i could be a slug xxx haha

Answer 9

It is when you get extreme emotions of "highs and lows." You go from an elevated mood to a crashing depressive state then back again.

Answer 10

Manic depression