NARSAD: Disorders & Conditions: Bipolar Disorder

» Schizophrenia - Featured Stories - Schizophrenia Research - Recently Diagnosed » Depression - Featured Stories - Depression Research - Recently Diagnosed Bipolar Disorder - Featured Stories - Bipolar Disorder Research - Recently Diagnosed » Anxiety - Generalized Anxiety - Panic Disorder - Phobias - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - Post-Traumatic Disorder - Featured Stories - Anxiety Research - Recently Diagnosed » Childhood Disorders - Childhood Anxiety Disorder - Autism - Attention Deficit- Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Childhood Bipolar Disorder - Childhood Depression - Eating Disorders - Childhood Schizophrenia - Featured Stories - Childhood Disorders Research - Recently Diagnosed » Other Disorders » Patients & Families - Infoline - Treatment FAQ - Recommended Reading	Bipolar Disorder What is Bipolar Disorder? Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive illness, is a psychiatric condition characterized by severe shifts in a person’s mood and energy, which make it difficult for the person to function. More than 5.7 million American adults or 2.6 percent of the population age 18 or older in any given year have bipolar disorder. The condition typically starts in late adolescence or early adulthood, although it can show up in children and in older adults. People often live with the disease without having it properly diagnosed and treated. Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder causes repeated mood swings, or episodes, that can make someone feel very high (mania) or very low (depressive). The cyclic episodes are punctuated by normal moods. Mania Episode Signs and Symptoms (lasts usually for a week) Increased energy, activity, restlessness; Euphoric mood Extreme irritability Poor concentration Racing thoughts, fast talking, jumping between ideas Sleeplessness Heightened sense of self importance Spending sprees Increased sexual behavior Abuse of drugs, such as cocaine, alcohol and sleeping medications Provocative, intrusive or aggressive behavior Denial anything is wrong Depressive Episode Signs (last usually for two weeks) Sad, anxious or empty mood Feelings of hopelessness and pessimism Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and helplessness Lost of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex Decreased energy, fatigue, Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions Restlessness and irritability Sleeplessness or sleeping too much Change in appetite, unintended weight loss or gain Bodily symptoms not caused by physical illness or injury Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts. More on symptoms Sometimes individuals don’t have a full-fledged mania and instead have what is called hypomania. Hypomania can become full mania and can also switch into depression. Severe episodes of mania can include psychoses, such as hallucinations or delusions. In certain cases, people can have both mania and depression, experiencing a sad, hopeless mood and yet being highly energized. Recurrent episodes of mania and depression is deemed bipolar I disorder. Bipolar II disorder is characterized by hypomania that alternates with depression. When four or more episodes occur within a year, the person is said to have rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. Treatment of Bipolar Disorder People with bipolar disorder can live healthy lives if treated with drugs prescribed by psychiatrists and psychosocial therapies. Patients need to work closely with doctors to keep track of their illness and monitor treatment effectiveness. Medications known as mood stabilizers help control the condition, and are taken for extended periods of time; other drugs are added to treat mania or depressive episodes that occur despite the mood stabilizer. Lithium, the first mood stabilizer approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, treats mania and can prevent recurrence of manic and depressive episodes. Anticonvulsant medications, such as valproate, or carbamazepine, also have been used. Anticonvulsants may be combined with lithium. Women with bipolar disease need to be aware that mood stabilizing drugs can affect a developing fetus and a nursing infant. Psychosocial treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people change inappropriate or negative thought patterns associated with the disease psychoeducation, which teaches patients about the illness and to recognize signs of recurrence family therapy helps family members to help deal with the condition; and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, which helps a patient with the condition deal with relationships and standardize routines and sleep behavior in an effort to prevent manic episodes. » NARSAD's Role in Bipolar Disorder Research NARSAD funds studies into many aspects of bipolar disorder and its subtypes. To read about NARSAD-funded bipolar disorder projects click here. » Featured Stories Study Links Trauma From Assaults to Bipolar Disorder Primary-care patients with bipolar disorder are likely to have seen or experienced an assault, according to research by NARSAD-affiliated scientists. Their study also found that individuals whose bipolar disorder is accompanied by post-traumatic stress disorder carry an extra-heavy burden of illness. (more)	Related News Study Links Trauma From Assaults to Bipolar Disorder Rates of Bipolar Diagnosis in American Youth Jump 40-Fold Over Last Decade Targeting Newly Identified Enzyme May Lead to Better Bipolar Treatments New Evidence of Links Between Circadian Rhythms and Bipolar Disorder Intensive Psychotherapy with Medication May Lead to Improved Recovery in Bipolar Disorder Infoline Do you have questions about psychiatric diseases? NARSAD's Infoline can help. For more information, click here.
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