Bipolar Disorder - Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

A bipolar disease is a serious mental problem where the patient constantly subjected to severe mood swings. It is a strange mental disorder where the patient undergoes maniac events at higher swings and extreme depressions and lower moods. Manic-depressive disorder, the other name of the bipolar disease is a mental illness that caused in early adulthood of humans. Recent researches shows that even preteen children and teenagers can also be affected by bipolar disease.

This bipolar disease can dent a person badly with frequent mood swings by throwing into depressions. Millions of people across the world are already the victims of this chronic mental sickness. This sickness causes lot of problems in a patient's day to day life thus affecting his social and family relations. This disorder even drags patients into committing suicides at extreme moments of depression.

Causes:

There aren't any specific scientifically proved causes for bipolar disease. This mental disorder generally develops in a person who has been undergoing far too many problems. The family problems, partner relations and other social related issues generally lead a person to grow bipolar disorder in him. Often the problematic living and working environment can cause this manic-depressive disorder. Some studies say that extreme stress and depression can lead to bipolar disease. However some researches claim that bipolar disease is caused due the improper balance of chemicals in the brain.

Symptoms:


The frequent swinging of the mood is the primary symptom of bipolar disease. At the highest end of it, in manic event, patient tend to feel so energetic and happy than before, highly satisfied and sometimes go over confident. During this manic episode, patients tend to do some weird things which sometimes might put them in danger. After the completion of this manic event, patient tend to develop the opposite character .i.e. extreme depression. In this period, patient normally experience extreme ends of sadness, frustration and hopelessness.

This is the period of time where patient finds his day to day life difficult to cope with. It consider to be the dangerous time where sometimes patient might become suicidal. These two events, manic episode and depression episode generally follow each other on a cycle. Each episode lasts for a day, week or months depending upon the mental condition of the patient. The intensity of the manic and depression events varies from patient to patient.

Available Treatments:


First of all, it's very difficult to diagnose bipolar disease. There aren't any lab tests possible to conclude whether this disorder occurred to a person or not. It's only the doctor who concludes the disease after collecting some information from patient about his personal experiences. There are no instant treatments to cure the disease at once. A scheduled course of medication will be prescribed by doctor which includes anti psychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers. Apart from this, a regular counseling by doctor will minimize the symptoms of the disorder. Parents and family members of the patient can play a good role by providing better living conditions.

If you are having trouble identifying the symptoms of bipolar disorder, you may want to begin by taking a look first at mania, and then at major depression. Understanding these two, not as extremes of bipolar disorder, but as individual mental conditions, can help you come to terms with the symptoms of your own disease.

It is normal for you to function normally between your extreme episodes in this disorder. That does not mean by any rate that you are safe from the worst of the condition. The symptoms of the next phase of it may come so suddenly you never get a chance to recover from them. That is why you cannot flirt with the disease in any way. Deal with it seriously, rather than kid with it. If you kid with it, it could end up really dealing you a deadly blow, at the worst possible time.

Be careful that you do not end up treating the symptoms of bipolar type of disorder rather than the disease. If there is anything that that can achieve, it is only to make the condition worse. As a matter of fact, it is to avoid things like that that a psychologist often takes a lot of meticulous care in diagnosing the condition.

Types of Depression

20-35% of people suffering from depression, unable to lead normal lives. Other periods alternate with periods of depression of normal self. A third severe depressive downs ups alternate with incredible mood. Below are descriptions of the most common types of depression.

Clinical Depression

When depression is expressed, which requires treatment, it is called clinical. As worsening symptoms indicate severe depression. This condition is still sporadic.

Distimia

Apart from occasional depression, there distimia - depression, which is prolonged, repeated again and again for a long time. If a person suffering from distimia develop symptoms of clinical depression, suggests a double depression.

Bipolar disorder

This condition, also known as manic-depressive syndrome, characterized by sudden inexplicable shifts is very poor and very good mood. Scientists believe the cause of this disorder shortages of certain substances necessary for the brain. With the help of medication bipolar disorder is treated in 80% of cases.

Seasonal Depression

The reason for this depression is not only in the individual, but also in the environment. According to researchers, some people are stronger than others to suffer from a lack of natural light. Treatment of this type of depression is based on ensuring the necessary level of lighting man.

Who falls into a depression?

* Women compared with men, nearly 2 times more likely to suffer clinical depression. The frequency of bipolar disorder does not depend on sex. Depression affects equally the representatives of different ethnic groups.
* Depression often occurs in people aged 25-40 years. Especially, this disease is widely prevalent among people born after 1945 Perhaps this is due to social factors (the increase in the number of single-parent families, changing social roles, the influence of stress). However, depression affects people of all ages, even children. Specialists believe that this problem facing the 2% of children and 4-8% of adolescents. It circumvents it by the people and the older generation.
* Often suffer from depression, people with a hereditary predisposition to the disease.
* Often depression is accompanied by another illness, mental disorders, alcohol and drug addiction.
* Marriage can be both positive and negative factor in the development of depression. Compared with the single, people who have a permanent partner, less likely to suffer from clinical depression. On the other hand, depression often develops in those who become dissatisfied with their partner. Less often, men suffer from depression, living in a happy marriage.

Fitness against depression

Trying to escape from depression? And what about that ... swim away from it? Or go on a bike? Try it certainly is!

Physical exercise - one of the best ways to overcome clinical depression.

Exercise can improve mood and alleviate the unpleasant symptoms. In conjunction with psychotherapy and medication, physical activity helps to get rid of depression forever.

Physical workload affect neural mediator - substances that provide a link between brain neurons. Depression is a violation of the balance neuromediators serotonin and nor epinephrine, and training helped him recover.

Exercise stimulates the formulation endorfinov - hormones of joy. In addition, they reduce the amount of cortisone (stress hormone), relieve muscle tension and improve sleep. During the depression people experience stress. Another symptom of depression - sleeplessness, which also affects the quality of life. Solving these problems will help to cope with the disease.

High self-esteem - the key to victory over depression. One of the signs of depression - a frustration, the inability to assess its external and internal beauty. Exercise rid you of excess kilograms and naturally improve your self. You will regain confidence and satisfaction.

By nature, enjoy the beauty of trees, flowers and the surrounding areas, even the neighbor dog. Depression is often not seen many and varied aspects of life.

Training - this time you have devoted yourself personally, when you can solve their problems and feel better. Tell yourself: «I am a good man, I have been useful, exercises will strengthen my heart, protect me from disease and give me many years of healthy, active life».

As a first step?

Depression reduces the motivation of people, dulls the desire to engage in something useful for themselves. Hardly anyone would want to deal with them when you feel broken and bleeding.

Most likely, the first thing is to contact a counselor or a doctor, who will pick up drugs to fight on the psychological front. In addition to health care, start to train - at least 30 minutes a day! Do not drop exercise, even if you choose a suitable antidepressant: Physical activity helps to keep emotions under control. Ask your doctor what exercises suit you best.

Think about what kind of sport you are most like. Race walking? Weightlifting? Make a choice and start studying!

Do not expect that, once you reach tangible results. Excessive expectations - mortgage failures. If you do not have enough forces on the normal training, shorten its duration. If you are unable to train today - never mind. Home - remember that regular exercises are a major tool towards freedom from depression.

How to survive the miscarriage?

Upon learning of the pregnancy, the woman thinks about how her life changed with the birth of a child. She picks up baby name, mentally subject the children's room. Many hesitate to share good news with family and friends ...

But sometimes bad luck happens. Suddenly, there is bleeding, and the doctor tells a terrible sentence. Or, at the time of ultrasound in the second trimester - when the future mom seems that the main difficulties behind us - found that the baby's heart is not beating. This is the collapse of all hopes.

Regardless of the date on which a miscarriage, the feelings of bitterness, frustration and even anger seized the woman entirely. Ambient call to come to terms with the loss, especially if the miscarriage occurred at an early stage. They can not understand the grief of the mother failed, because I did not feel a special connection with the invisible child. In addition, the surrounding is often forgotten about the child's father, who also needs support.
Here are some tips to help you cope with grief:

* Let go of guilt. You may want to ask myself how many: «What do I do?». In fact, you, of course, nothing to blame. Perhaps the cause of miscarriage were congenital abnormalities in the development of the fetus. You simply can not change anything.
* Mourn for the child, let out a heavy feelings. Friends, relatives and other well-wisher will be advised as soon as possible to return to normal life, but it is important for you to experience what happened. Do not force the event. If you regularly work, it is a week of vacation to come to you.
* Seek support. Try to be surrounded by people who understand you. To sense the loss of a little blunt, required days and weeks. Support your loved ones ease the suffering. Talk to a psychologist or discuss the situation with a woman who also once had a miscarriage.
* Do not listen to what you say. Lover will tell you impolitic things. Even if their intentions are perfect, comments like «It happened because ...» or «It was not the last pregnancy» will bring more harm than good. Do not take these words to heart.
* Do not hold evil on a partner. Perhaps you think that a man going through a less due to the loss of a child. This is not necessarily so. Restraint does not mean that a man indifferent. Everyone copes with emotions in his own way, each - their ways of dealing with stress.
* Do not be nasty to you. Against the backdrop of emotions about their loss, to hear the news about the pregnancy or the birth of successful friends and relatives simply unbearable. Anger and resentment can arise from a thought that other women had become mothers, and you do not. This is a predictable reaction. Unfortunately, it can save time only.

After a miscarriage, some women want to immediately conceive another child, the other for a long time not thinking of motherhood. The most appropriate time for the next attempt to establish a conception doctor. Throughout this difficult period, try to be open to a man - this will help you both cope with the pain of loss.

When To Call a Doctor

If you have bipolar disorder, call 911 or other emergency services if you:

* Think you cannot stop from harming yourself or someone else.
* Hear voices that are new or more upsetting than normal.
* Want to commit suicide, or you know someone who has mentioned wanting to commit suicide.

Warning signs of suicide include:

* Use of illegal drugs or drinking alcohol heavily.
* Talking, writing, or drawing about death, including writing suicide notes and speaking of items that can cause physical harm, such as pills, guns, or knives.
* Spending long periods of time alone.
* Giving away possessions.
* Acting aggressive or suddenly appearing calm.

What Increases Your Risk

Bipolar disorder can be passed down through families. If anyone in your family has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, your risk of developing it is higher.

If you have bipolar disorder, changes in sleep or daily routines can increase your risk for a manic episode. Antidepressant medicine can trigger a manic episode in someone who has bipolar disorder. But this may occur before someone is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, while he or she is seeking treatment for an episode of depression.

A stressful event may trigger an episode of mania or depression.

Your risk of either a depressive or manic episode increases if you do not take your medicines as prescribed by your doctor. It is common for people to stop taking their medicines during a manic phase when they feel good. Even if you are feeling better, you must take your medicines regularly to control bipolar disorder.

Alcohol or drug use or abuse puts you at a high risk for having a relapse of mood disturbances

What Happens if you have Bipolar Disorder

With bipolar disorder, you alternate between episodes of depression and mania. In between, you may return completely to normal or have some remaining symptoms. The extreme mood changes may come on suddenly or appear more slowly.

During a manic episode, you may be abnormally happy, energetic, or very irritable for a week or more. Initially, you may feel incredibly productive or creative. You may feel powerful and seductive and think there is nothing you can't accomplish. But as a manic episode progresses, you may behave wildly and irresponsibly, spending a lot of money, getting involved in dangerous activities, and sleeping very little. You may also have a hard time functioning in your job and relationships.

After a manic episode, you may return to normal, or your mood may swing in the opposite direction and you may feel useless, hopeless, and extremely sad. When you are depressed, you may have trouble concentrating, remembering, and making decisions. You may have changes in your eating and sleeping habits. And you may lose interest in things you have enjoyed in the past. Some people become suicidal or harm themselves during episodes of depression. Some feel as if they can't move, care, or think.

Men tend to have more manic episodes, while women have more episodes of depression.6

Initially, stress may trigger depression or mania. But as the illness progresses, mood swings may not be caused by any specific event. Without treatment, your bipolar disorder may get worse, causing you to move more often between mania and depression.

People with bipolar disorder are more likely to have one or more risk factors of cardiovascular disease, including obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes.7 Your physical health will be watched closely by your doctor.