Your inclusive manual of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar affective disorder as it is commonly known was formerly referred to as manic depression and is a mental illness that results in periods of both mania and depression. Disorder, one can be lost. It is always described in entertainment as a mere oddity – a person who overwashes his or her hands or someone who must have things arranged in a particular manner. However, for millions of people globally, OCD is a genuine and difficult disability to cope with concerning one’s mental health.
When you are depressed you may feel some hopelessness, or nothing is ever pleasant. You may not have any desire to take part in most activities. When your mood changes to mania or hypomania (generally less severe than mania), you’ll be out of control, very happy or even elated, disturbingly hyped up, or very irritable. These moods can influence a person’s sleeping pattern, amount of energy, level of activity, ability to reason and make decisions, as well as behavior.
Even though bipolar disorder is a chronic condition, patients are capable of stabilizing their symptoms and ways of thinking by adhering to an implemented treatment plan. The medication for bipolar disorder is done alongside the use of medications and psychological counseling otherwise known as psychotherapy.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, earlier referred to as manic depressive illness, is a brave psychiatric disorder that is characterized by episodes of mania or hypomania and depressive episodes. These changes may impact energy, movement, sleeping, behavior, and perception of the surroundings and people around. That is why bipolar disorder is not about short mood variations; its patients experience qualitative changes in their daily lives.
What are the Types of Bipolar Disorder?
The Types of Bipolar Disorder have several categories, each defined by the pattern and intensity of mood episodes.
Bipolar I Disorder
This type involves a cyclic hostility of at least seven days or the severity of the manic symptoms makes it necessary for the patient to be hospitalized. Major depression commonly runs for a minimum of two weeks. There are also combined ones in which the patient manifests both manic and depressive episodes.
Bipolar II Disorder
This type is characterized by episodes of depression and hypomania, the latter being not as severe as mania since its effects do not interfere with the person’s activities as intensively as it does in the case of mania.
Cyclothymic Disorder
It includes one or more hypomanic episodes combined with at least two major depressive episodes, which should last for one year for children and adolescents and at least two years for adults. The symptoms are not as severe as bipolar 1 or 2 disorder but are moderate enough that interfere with a person’s functioning.
Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorders
The following are symptoms of bipolar disorder that do not fall under any of the identified categories other than the three mentioned above. The symptoms of other Bipolar disorder include: It can include cases where the switching between moods is very distinct or cases where one cannot sustain the particular mood for a relatively extended period.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
- Elevated Mood – A state that will see the affected person exhibit higher than normal energy levels, activity, and excitement.
- Increased Activity – Speaking too much or in a high tone, inability to remain focused and discuss a particular issue for too long, or one’s tendency to jump from one subject to the other.
- Reduced Need for Sleep – Feeling like a new lively daisy after a few hours of drifting off to sleep.
- Impulsivity – Forgetting the fact that we are dealing with possible consequences such as buying things without giving them much thought, engaging in illicit affairs, reckless driving, and many more behavioral outcomes.
- Depressed Mood – Feeling low and sad for long hours and days, feeling helpless and having no purpose for living.
- Loss of Interest – Abandonment of most or all previously enjoyed activities, spontaneous or initiated by the other person.
- Fatigue – Some form of tiredness or weakness which in a layman’s meaning can be interpreted to be a state of powerlessness or exhausted power.
- Sleep Disturbances – This includes diseases that stem from a lack of continuity of sleep which for instance taking long stretches of sleep or on the other extreme sleeping for a few hours. Concentration Issues: Difficulty in concentrating or in making a judgment.
Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar is a diagnosed disorder that is assessed by a mental health specialist.
- Physical Examination – To ensure other diseases are not responsible for the symptoms being presented.
- Psychiatric Assessment – Specific questions relating to both current and past thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and history of mood episodes.
- Mood Charting – Taking notes every day to analyze the changes in mood, sleep quality, etc.
What causes bipolar disorder?
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is not known, but several factors may contribute:
- Genetics – This is a hereditary disease, which is most often caused by genetic factors. There is some degree of inherited basis, however, the specific genes have not been identified up to date.
- Biological Differences – This is because those with bipolar disorder seem to display alterations in the body structure of the brain. Whether these shifts are important or not is something that is yet to be determined.
- Neurochemical Imbalance – This may be due to chemical reactions where one or many substances found in the brain, which are responsible for passing signals, are not in the right proportion.
- Environmental Factors – It may be due to stress, physical or verbal abuse, major loss, or any other trauma, solid or great, large or small.
Living with Bipolar Disorder
Living with bipolar disorder requires managing symptoms, following treatment plans, and making lifestyle adjustments:
Routine
Fluctuations in moods can be prevented by taking and following a balanced daily schedule.
Medication Adherence
Medication adherence is vital to effectively ensure that the symptoms mentioned earlier are well addressed.
Therapy
Individual or group therapy helps control the symptoms and get some advice for managing the situation better.
Support System
One can get emotional support from friends, family, and people in their peer brackets, in addition to constructing a network.
Self-care
Hygiene is another practice consisting of exercise, taking proper meals, and other aspects like stress management.
Bipolar Disorder vs. Borderline Personality Disorder
For the working groups, it will be crucial to establish how it is all about the differences.
Even though Bipolar Disorder and BPD lead to different forms of suffering and relationship issues, they are not the same. The differences that would help you distinguish between the two and would be outlined in the article are as follows.
- Bipolar Disorder – It is also referred to as a manic-depressive illness which is on this account marked by episodic episodes of mania and depression. It is abrupt and typically lasts for a period ranging between weeks and months.
- BPD – Great fluctuations in mood, unstable affectivity, strongly impulsive actions, and distortions in the perception of the self; mood swings are abrupt, and influenced by stimuli.
- Bipolar Disorder – That’s because in bipolar disorder the highs and lows are at the extremes of what is considered normal for mood. While manic shows positivity in temper, one feels elated during the episodes; during the depressive episodes, one is sad.
- BPD – For instance, in those who suffer from BPD, temperance and inflamed feelings such as anger, fear, and sadness may arise and appear hard to regulate.
- Bipolar Disorder – The consequences of the disorder stand for potentially gigantic impacts that can stir in relations, but the fundamental disturbance of C-PTSD is not necessarily the fear of abandonment.
- BPD – Lovers and friends of persons with BPD have rather tumultuous relationships. It is due to this that they have a deathly fear when it comes to being dumped and they respond to situations in a combative way.
Treatment
Bipolar disorder is an old but episodic and chronically ill psychiatric diagnosis; however, the quality of life is an important factor in individuals and may decrease in bipolar depending on symptoms’ manifestations.
Treatment plans typically include:
Medications
Lithium, antipsychotic medication, and antidepressants are frequently used.
Psychotherapy
Specific treatments that may help include cognitive behavioral therapy, family-focused therapy, and other forms of psychoeducation.
Lifestyle Modifications
Exercise and physical activity, proper nutrition, sleep, and lifestyle changes aimed at decreasing stress levels.
Education
Patients are educated about their illness and learn how to identify moods that indicate the beginning of episodes.
Myths about Bipolar Disorder
Several myths about bipolar disorder can perpetuate stigma and misunderstanding: Here are some common myths or misunderstandings many people have concerning bipolar disorder that increase its stigma:
- Myth – Mood swings are all that bipolar is, at least that is how those who decide to diagnose themselves understand it.
- Reality – It establishes the meaning of increased or decreased swings that are deleterious to a person’s functioning.
- Myth – Perhaps it should be pointed out that bipolar disorder prevents a person from living as any normal person would.
- Reality – In particular, if treated properly, most of the bipolar disorder patients are capable of having a good and satisfying job.
- Myth – Bipolar is not very common.
- Reality – Bipolar disorder is a serious illness in which millions of people across the globe are affected.
How you can help your close ones?
Supporting someone with bipolar disorder involves understanding, patience, and encouragement:
- Educate Yourself – Awareness of bipolar disorder can assist you in understanding what the loved one is experiencing.
- Encourage Treatment – Remind them to demand and stick to the recommended treatment.
- Be Patient – Accept that the period of bipolar disorder is a chronic course with many episodes up and down.
- Offer Practical Help – Help with household chores or just say a few words when the going gets tough.
- Maintain Communication – Schedule appointments to speak to them and organize yourselves in a manner that will demonstrate to them that you are interested in them and that you are there to assist.
How does Jagruti Rehabilitation Center help in Recovery?
We at Jagruti also know about the problems of BPD therefore we offer the most friendly environment for the treatment. As a professionally run setup, there are staff who are trained in the administration of such empirically supported treatments like dialectical behavior therapy that can help you acquire skills in the handling of intense emotions, impulse control as well as the enhancement of other healthier relationships. We are going to accompany you in designing a program concerning your requirements so that you can start walking on the path of your fulfilled, emotional life.
Bipolar disorder can be explained as cyclic mood swings that can be treated by a variety of approaches. Through education on bipolar disorder symptoms, proper acquisition of health care, and encouragement of the patients, people with bipolar disorder can live well. Anyone experiencing bipolar disorder or someone close to them, needs to consult a mental health specialist for help and support. But, as always, with proper assistance, one can find a way to become a recovering and stable person.