Article by Australia Counselling
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by “mood swings” that alternate between periods of elevated disposition (mania) and periods of depression. It affects men and women equally, occurring more often in people who have relatives with this disorder. The condition usually appears between the ages of 15-25. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depression or bipolar affective disorder. There are two types of bipolar disorder. The manic symptoms/hypomanic episodes are less intense in bipolar disorder II than those in bipolar disorder I. The manic phase may last from days to months. The symptoms include pervasive euphoria, agitation or irritation, inflated self-esteem or delusions of grandeur, little need for sleep, racing thoughts, hyperactivity and over -nvolvement in activities, poor temper control and general lack of self-control, impaired judgment, and reckless indulgent behaviour such as binge eating, sexual promiscuity, and spending sprees.The depressed phase shows the opposite symptoms: daily low mood or persistent sadness, fatigue or listlessness, loss of self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness or guilt, excessive sleepiness or inability to sleep, withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities, withdrawal from friends, loss of appetite and weight or overeating and weight gain, and persistent thoughts of death or suicide.The shift between moods can be very abrupt. Sometimes the two phases overlap, resulting in mixed symptoms occurring simultaneously or one after the other. There is a high risk of suicide in bipolar disorder so it is very important to diagnose and treat this condition as soon as possible.Treatment helps the patient function as best as possible between episodes and avoid the need for hospitalization, reduces the frequency and severity of such episodes, avoids cycling between phases, and prevents self-destructive behaviour, including suicide.The first line of treatment consists of drugs for stabilizing