Being diagnosed with a mental disorder is a frightening experience. According to one estimate, millions of Americans are diagnosed with bipolar disorder annually; these are people who are part of successful and fun-loving families, respected among colleagues in the workplace and can be quite rich.
Tough to Diagnose
Bipolar disorder is a medical condition that is not well understood and is being researched by scientists and doctors around the world. As a brain disorder, it is often tough to diagnose because it can present itself in many different ways on the basis of the patient's medical and family history, lifestyle, temperament and attitude.
Drug Abusers
No one is safe from developing the condition. Studies have concluded that family mental illness history and genetics has much to do with increased chances of inheriting the disease as does substance abuse. Studies have demonstrated that around half of patients diagnosed with the condition are former drug abusers.
Effects
Bipolar disorder has a significant effect on mood swings and attitudes of patients. They can be mild, moderate or complex episodes of depression to more straightforward or balanced moods to 'hyper' behaviors, in some cases mania. The spectrum gives a sliding scale of attitudes that present and remain for days, weeks and even years.
Rapid Cycling
Some people diagnosed with the condition lead prosperous, straightforward lives with episodes of depression that hit every six months, while others suffer episodes of complex depression that may arise three times in a month. Such rapid changes in attitude in such a short span of time is known as ‘rapid-cycling' and greatly affects the personal and professional life of a patient.
Classification
Bipolar disorder can be classified in two methods. Type I, or classic form, which finds patients suffering from repeated periods of complex depression and mania. Type II is a more controlled form of the disease. People diagnosed with Type II lead fairly normal lives, are able to work and remain constructive forces in society.
Productivity Level
People suffering with bipolar disorder can be more productive in terms of work compared to normal people when going through a hypomania or mania phase. If the person is experiencing more complex forms of bipolar disorder, having two or three episodes in a month, then the productivity level will drop.
Severe Episodes
While every individual experience a wide array of mood swings on a normal basis, those suffering with bipolar disorder find themselves on a roller coaster ride. If they are not treated properly, symptoms can lead to increased and more complex episodes.
Stages of Bipolar Depression
Though the illness has no cure, one can manage it quite well with the help of an appropriate treatment routine. There are two stages in bipolar disorder: the manic phase (a period of emotional highs where the patient shows enhanced energy, euphoric mood, extreme irritability, and a minimized requirement for sleep) and the depressive phase (a period of depression, loss of interest in doing activities, tremendous weight loss or gain, modification in appetite, modifications in sleeping and suicidal thoughts). Bipolar disorder cannot be detected easily because of this dual nature which results in patients suffering for long periods without treatment. If someone you know or you have been having these periods of emotional highs and lows that last for extended periods, contact a health care professional as soon as possible.
