What is bi-polar disorder?

Answer 1

Bipolar disorder (previously known as Manic Depression) is a psychiatric diagnostic category describing a class of mood disorders in which the person experiences clinical depression and/or mania, hypomania, and/or mixed states. The disorder can cause great distress among those afflicted and those living with them. Bipolar disorder can be a disabling condition, with a higher-than-average risk of death through suicide.

The difference between bipolar disorder and unipolar disorder (also called major depression) is that bipolar disorder involves both elevated and depressive mood states. The duration and intensity of mood states varies widely among people with the illness. Fluctuating from one mood state to the next is called "cycling". Mood swings can cause impairment or improved functioning depending on their direction (up or down) and severity (mild to severe). There can be changes in one's energy level, sleep pattern, activity level, social rhythms and cognitive functioning. Some people may have difficulty functioning during these times.




Bipolar disorder is often a life-long condition that must be carefully managed. Because there is so much variation in severity and nature of mood problems, it is increasingly being called bipolar spectrum disorder. The spectrum concept refers to subtypes of bipolar disorder or a continuum of mood problems, that can include sub-syndromal (below the symptom threshold for categorical diagnosis) symptoms. Nassir Ghaemi, M.D., has also contributed to the development of a bipolar spectrum questionnaire. The full bipolar spectrum includes all states or phases of the bipolar disorders.

Kraepelin's (1921) construct is useful for primary care clinicians, patients and families. It describes variations in two directions (mania and depression) and of three aspects: mood, activity and thinking.

Answer 2

There are so many theories as to what causes Bi-polar disorder. There are even things that have shown it has a genetic basis amongst certain groups of people. If he truly has bi-polar disorder, it is not catchy like a cold however. There could have been an event that triggered the onset of this and it just was something inevitable. The most important thing, is that you and your family are there for him. Bi-polar disorder can be a horrible mental illness to deal with. There are many medications that can help, and he needs to see a psychiatrist and a therapist really to get the best results for therapy. Medication works on an individual basis, and some people need what is called an "integrative" approach with different medicines and therapy. Love him no matter what and be there for him. If it gets too stressful for you/and your family, finding someone to talk to even within the community is always a good idea. Calling around to see if their are support groups can help your father and you both. You might also want to consider getting another opinion for further evaluation if at any time you feel it is necessary or if you do not agree with the doctor's decision. Peace

Answer 3

There are three different types of bi-polar disorder that I am aware of......Alll vary in time periods between manic episodes. Bi-polar is a mood disorder where you have drastic highs and drastic lows. It is different from depression because of the manic(high) stages. People sometimes can stay up for days duing this stage......they clean vigoursly (sp) and can take some serious risks because of the state of mind they are in. Sometimes they seem overly adventorous or spontanious......and in there lows they become the opposite. Varying between Types of Bi-polar is the time period between episodes. Some people can have multiple full cycles within one day and some others weeks. I hop this helps a little bit.....There are also many drugs used to treat this disorder such as, but not limited to...Lithium and Depakote.

Answer 4

Bi-polar disorder is what used to be called Manic-Depression. This is a chemical imbalance in the brain that makes it almost impossible for the individual to control their emotions. To make matters worst they cycle between clinical depression and Mania. Now almost everyone knows what depression is Mania is a drastically out of whack good mood. People think they can fly or they are extremely happy. They tend to be full of energy and unable to understand the consequences of their behavior. Sometimes during the depression they become extremely moody or even angry lashing out at everyone around them. Medication and therapy are the most effective way of treating this disorder. If you have to pick just one, medication is the way to go. The biggest problem is that people think they are better because the medication has helped them and they stop taking it, then they go right back to the way they were. This medication is most likely going to have to be taken for life. For more information go to www.webmd.com

Answer 5

Bi-Polar.....god....

You've got type one, type two, and rapid cycling.

Type one:
- Mania.
- Depression.

Type two:
- less severe mania.
- depression.

Rapid cycling:
you can go through those two moods six times in a year. Crazy.

One of the most debilitating disorders.

I, myself, have type two. When I'm manic, I'm promiscuous, filled with rage that spills over at any time, and don't understand what makes stealing and destruction of property "bad".

When I'm low, all I want to do is kill myself. Can't stop thinking about it. Drives me crazy. I try to make other people feel like crap too. I can't stop being pessimistic.

I also get a 'normal' modd in between the mania and the low, where I function like any 'normal' human being. a little reprieve,

Mania can be marked by anything sort of....extreme, according to my psych. textbook, such as an elevated happy mood, on top of the world feeling, better than anyone else mentality, can get by on just a few hours of sleep, don't really feel the need to eat, have grandiose ideas, do things that are dangerous, and have a hard time finishing projects/concentrating as the thought are flying at an insane rate.

(those can be all together or just a few. depends on the mania).

and everyone knows what depression looks like.

Answer 6

Bipolar is not maniac depression. They used to think it was, but they have recently found out that maniac depression is severely depression. Bipolar people get depressed but not to the point were they become paranoid and want to kill themselves or others like maniac depressive people do.

Bipolar is still being examined as there are many things unanswered,. When you have bipolar the serotonin in your brain is low and it is the thing that regulates your emotions. At the same time they recently discovered that the nerves in a bipolar patients brain have trouble sending its "messages" in a healthy way. It is like the connection gets broken or interrupted and suddenly a new train of thought is inacted. You'll notice this if you speak to someone who has the disease it's like their brain is jumping from topic to topic it is esp. noticable if they are highly emotional at the time.

It is treated with several drugs the most severe being Lithuim and shock treatment therapy. It has recently been discovered that it appears to be genetic and skips every othe generation meaning if your parent has it, you won't, but your offspring might. The most important thing that someone with bipolar can do is take their medication regularly and not self medicate in any way and no recreational usage of drugs or alcohol, because it messes with the balance the Lithium provides. If there is someone in your life who has this be very supportive of them and try to help them through the hard times.

Bipolar comes in two forms type1 the less severe is mood swings that are mild, that can be affective to those around those who have it due to their actions and type II where the mood swings have escalated to the point that without medication the bipolar patient becomes violent and may require hospitalization.

Good Luck and i hope I provided some info for you to think about.

Answer 7

Well, bipolar disorder is exactly what everyone else has written. But, bipolar to me(I am a person who suffers from bipolar), is like having your moods on a rollercoaster ride. I have been in such a high state that nothing bothers me nor can I sit still for one minute. Whenever you are on a manic high, your mind is just racing faster than you could ever imagine. You are talking 100 miles a minute and really not making a bit of sense to anyone but yourself. Then you have your days, that you are so depressed that killing yourself makes so much sense to you. You may lay in bed for days, not shower for days, or just cry for no reason at all. Bipolar disorder is a crippling and even a deadly disorder, if left untreated.

Answer 8

Bipolar disorder (previously known as Manic Depression) is a psychiatric diagnostic category describing a class of mood disorders in which the person experiences clinical depression and/or mania, hypomania, and/or mixed states. The disorder can cause great distress among those afflicted and those living with them. Bipolar disorder can be a disabling condition, with a higher-than-average risk of death through suicide.

The difference between bipolar disorder and unipolar disorder (also called major depression) is that bipolar disorder involves both elevated and depressive mood states. The duration and intensity of mood states varies widely among people with the illness. Fluctuating from one mood state to the next is called "cycling". Mood swings can cause impairment or improved functioning depending on their direction (up or down) and severity (mild to severe). There can be changes in one's energy level, sleep pattern, activity level, social rhythms and cognitive functioning. Some people may have difficulty functioning during these times.

Bipolar disorder is often a life-long condition that must be carefully managed. Because there is so much variation in severity and nature of mood problems, it is increasingly being called bipolar spectrum disorder. The spectrum concept refers to subtypes of bipolar disorder or a continuum of mood problems, that can include sub-syndromal (below the symptom threshold for categorical diagnosis) symptoms. Nassir Ghaemi, M.D., has also contributed to the development of a bipolar spectrum questionnaire. The full bipolar spectrum includes all states or phases of the bipolar disorders.

Answer 9

Bipolar disorder (previously known as Manic Depression) is a psychiatric diagnostic category describing a class of mood disorders in which the person experiences clinical depression and/or mania, hypomania, and/or mixed states. The disorder can cause great distress among those afflicted and those living with them. Bipolar disorder can be a disabling condition, with a higher-than-average risk of death through suicide.

Answer 10

Bi-Polar is chemical imbalance in a person's brain which effects their moods and emotions. There are varying degrees of Bi-Polar but anyone experiencing rapid changes or swings in their moods or behaviors should consult a psychiatrist. Most cases of Bi-Polar are treatable with medicine and Counseling.