By: Hello Doctor Updated 20 Apr 2022, 18: 01 pm EDT
We can all suffer emotional ups and downs.
However, when this instability occurs from one extreme to another, it causes problems sleeping, thinking and concentrating, preventing carry out daily tasks and even increase the risk of suicide, it may be a bipolar disorder. Find out here what this disorder is, and what its causes, symptoms and treatments are.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive disorder or manic depression, It is a mental disorder that can be chronic or episodic. This means that it can occur occasionally or at irregular intervals.
It is characterized by causing unusual, often extreme, and fluctuating changes in mood, concentration, physical capacity and energy levels.
What is the cause of bipolar disorder?
Currently, it is unknown what is the or the exact causes of bipolar disorder, however, it is believed that different factors may be involved:
- Biological: certain physical changes in the brain are linked to bipolar disorder.
- Genetic : bipolar disorder is more common in people who have a first-degree relative (siblings, parents) with this disease.
- Low self-esteem.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Difficulty making decisions or concentrating.
- Fatigue or lack of energy.
- Loss of interest or ability to feel pleasure in all or many activities.
- Problems remembering
- Feeling sad.
- Eating disorders (causing weight gain or loss).
- Tendency to isolate and recurrent thoughts about death or suicide.
- Distraction.
- Abnormal episodes of optimism, nervousness or tension.
- Frenzy of ideas .
- Unusual talkativeness.
- Increased levels of activity, energy, or agitation.
- Less need for sleep.
- Make bad decisions, such as making compulsive purchases, engaging in risky sexual practices or making foolish investments.
- Bipolar I disorder : defined by manic episodes lasting at least seven days or when symptoms are severe enough to require treatment. hospital care. Separate depressive episodes also occur, usually lasting at least two weeks. Episodes of mood disturbances with mixed features (depressive and manic symptoms at the same time) may occur.
- Bipolar II disorder: defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not by the extreme manic episodes described above. While the manic episodes of Bipolar I Disorder can be severe and dangerous, people with Bipolar II Disorder may be depressed for long periods of time, which can lead to significant mental decline.
- Cyclothymic disorder: Also called cyclothymia, is defined by persistent hypomanic and depressive symptoms that are not severe enough or last long enough to qualify as hypomanic or depressive episodes. Signs typically occur for at least two years in adults and one year in children or adolescents.
- More conditions: some symptoms of bipolar disorder are similar to those of other diseases, giving rise to erroneous diagnoses. In addition, many people with bipolar disorder may have other mental health conditions, such as psychosis, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, or eating disorders, such as binge eating or bulimia.
- Psychiatric evaluation and psychological self-assessment or questionnaire.
- Physical examination and laboratory analysis.
- State records of cheer up.
- Compare the symptoms presented with the criteria for bipolar disorder and related disorders.
- Psychotherapy: Also called “talk therapy”, it is a term used for a variety of treatment techniques that seek to help a person identify and modify problematic emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. For this reason, it is often used to provide support, education, skills, and strategies to people with bipolar disorder and their families.
- Day treatment programs .
- Substance abuse treatment .
- Hospitalization : this is intended for cases of dangerous behavior, suicidal thoughts or psychotic states.
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- Damage in relationships.
- Poor performance at work or school.
- Legal problems or financial.
- Problems related to alcohol and drug use.
- Suicide or attempted suicide.
- Anxiety disorders.
- Eating disorders.
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Others: periods of high stress or alcohol or drug abuse may also be associated with bipolar disorder.
What are the symptoms
Symptoms of bipolar disorder there are several and depend on the type of episode that occurs:
Depressive episodes
Manic or hypomanic episodes
Although they are different types of episodes they have the same symptoms , only that mania is more severe than hypomania and causes more noticeable problems in public settings, such as work, school, or other social activities:
Euphoria: exaggerated feeling of well-being and self-confidence.
How emotions can be controlled
In turn, there are three main types of bipolar disorder:
How is bipolar disorder diagnosed
It is important to consult a health professional if any of the symptoms developed above occur. To determine if it is indeed bipolar disorder, and rule out other conditions, the doctor may resort to:
What treatments exist for bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, so the treatment recommended by a health professional will be aimed at controlling the symptoms it causes. The most common options are:
- Medications : The most common types prescribed are mood stabilizers (such as lithium) and atypical antipsychotics (such as Clozapine), antidepressants, antidepressants-antipsychotics (such as Symbyax), or medications for anxiety (such as benzodiazepines). Some patients may need to try multiple drugs and work with their doctor to find the best option for them.
In addition, certain activities have been shown to be beneficial in mitigating the symptoms of bipolar disorder, such as walking, ride a bike, or swim. Experts believe this is because they promote sleep and improve cardiovascular health, while lowering the risk of depression and anxiety.
However, these should never work as substitutes for the treatment recommended by a professional, but rather as complements.
Health risks
If bipolar disorder is not treated, in the long run it can cause serious health problems that affect all aspects of life:
In addition, those who suffer from bipolar disorder have a higher risk of presenting other types of conditions:
Problem more than physical health, such as heart disease, headaches or obesity.
Cases of disorder bipolar
It is difficult to know the number of cases of bipolar disorder in the world. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 45 million people are affected by this disorder.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) highlights that bipolar disorders are an important cause of disability and mortality in Latin America and the Caribbean.
According to reports, disability due to bipolar disorder seems to adopt a subregional pattern: all the countries of continental Central America are above the country average and the regional total of 1.4 %, while Canada and the United States are below the total (1.3% and 1.2%, respectively).
Sources consulted : US National Library of Medicine, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mayo Clinic, National Institute of Mental Health, Mental Health America, World Health Organization (WHO), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).