Bipolar Disorder is affecting over 2 million American adults in the country today. This averages out to be about one percent of the population over the age of 18. Normally this disorder develops in late adolescence or early adulthood, but many people have their first symptoms during childhood and others may develop this condition later in life. Bipolar disorder is not categorized as an illness and most people go for years without the proper diagnoses and without any treatment. It is a long term illness that you must learn to carefully manage as it will be with you throughout your life.
Bipolar disorder or manic depressive illness is a disorder in the brain. It causes the person to have unusual shifts in their moods, energy, and even the ability to function. Every person has their normal moods of high and low, but those with Bipolar Disorder have severe changes in their moods. These severe mood swings have resulted in broken relationships, poor performance at work or school, and some people have even ended their lives with suicide.
There is great news for those suffering with Bipolar Disorder, today. Bipolar Disorder can be treated and the patient can lead a very normal and productive life.
There are two types of Bipolar Disorder which include Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Bipolar I is the most severe form of Bipolar Disorder. Persons with this type have mania and depression episodes every day for at least one week. They can be either mania episodes or depression or even a mixture of both, but they occur every day and are very extreme.
Bipolar II is hard to recognize even by a physician and is very often misdiagnosed as depression. Persons with this type will have one or more episodes of depression and at least one hypomanic episode. A hypomanic is like a manic episode but is not severe. To be sure that it is a sign of Bipolar II the hypomanic episode must be totally different from the person’s non-depressed mood. Usually, these episodes are not as noticeable as with Bipolar Disorder I, but they can be very bothersome to the person with the disorder.
The following signs should be reported to your physician, receiving help early is the best way to ensure a normal life.
Bipolar disorder or manic depressive illness is a disorder in the brain. It causes the person to have unusual shifts in their moods, energy, and even the ability to function. Every person has their normal moods of high and low, but those with Bipolar Disorder have severe changes in their moods. These severe mood swings have resulted in broken relationships, poor performance at work or school, and some people have even ended their lives with suicide.
There is great news for those suffering with Bipolar Disorder, today. Bipolar Disorder can be treated and the patient can lead a very normal and productive life.
There are two types of Bipolar Disorder which include Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Bipolar I is the most severe form of Bipolar Disorder. Persons with this type have mania and depression episodes every day for at least one week. They can be either mania episodes or depression or even a mixture of both, but they occur every day and are very extreme.
Bipolar II is hard to recognize even by a physician and is very often misdiagnosed as depression. Persons with this type will have one or more episodes of depression and at least one hypomanic episode. A hypomanic is like a manic episode but is not severe. To be sure that it is a sign of Bipolar II the hypomanic episode must be totally different from the person’s non-depressed mood. Usually, these episodes are not as noticeable as with Bipolar Disorder I, but they can be very bothersome to the person with the disorder.
The following signs should be reported to your physician, receiving help early is the best way to ensure a normal life.
- Several days of energetic or irritable mood
- Feeling over-confident
- Requiring less sleep than normal
- More talkative
- Sporadic thoughts
- Trouble concentrating and easily distracted
- Spending more time in pleasurable activities or high risk activities including sex
- Do or saying things that are out of your character
- Others notice that you are acting different