Clinical Psychology: Bi-Polar Disorder

Bipolar disease is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain that causes an individual to experience extreme highs and extreme lows in mood and personality. These extreme mood swings make it difficult for the affected individual to go about normal life. Relationships, work, school, and just about every other aspect of life is disrupted. The only solution is for the individual to be properly diagnosed and put on a medication to equalize the mood. The following information and subsequent links will introduce the disease more thoroughly and guide individuals to available help and resources.

What Is Bi-polar Disorder?

Bi-polar disease affects nearly six million people in the United States, and many more worldwide. It is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain that may be present since birth. However, individuals usually begin to exhibit symptoms in their mid-20’s. It is known as a hereditary disease; so most people who have the disease probably have a history of it in their family, either immediate or extended. There is a strong instance of suicide in bi-polar disease, as their moods swing from heightened mania to deeper depression than most have in their daily lives. They may make impulsive decisions while elated or depressed that could affect their future, such as quitting a job or failing to study for a particularly important test. They may choose to cheat on their spouse or fire insults at their children. While in these extreme states, logic and self-control take a back seat. 

Causes and Symptoms of Bi-Polar Disorder

It is known that bipolar disease is a hereditary condition, passed on by genetics, from parent to child. However, due to the fact that identical twins do not both have bipolar disease 100% of the time, it can be determined that the disease is not completely passed through the genes. There must be other factors that determine the disease as well. It is surmised that perhaps genetic features could cause it, and then neurotransmitters in the brain react due to stressors or other events, causing the dormant disease to exacerbate. Stress, drug or alcohol abuse, sleep deprivation, or other such factors may contribute to the severity of the disease; in other words, worsen the imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Someone who never knew they had bipolar tendencies will find themselves in the beginnings of manic/depressive episodes. The primary symptom is the severe mood swings. Individuals may find themselves in a deep depression for days, or weeks, at a time, then suddenly feel like they are on the top of the world, that nothing can bring them down. This optimism, however, can be false, and in this heightened stage, they may take unnecessary or unsafe risks with their lives. During the manic phase, the individual may feel little need to sleep, exhibit little or no appetite, have an increase in their level of activity, and yet exhibit poor attentiveness. They will also have increased irritability and stress. During the depressed period, they may have a loss of energy, weight gain and laziness, loss of interest in their usual relationships and activities, and possible thoughts of suicide in their hopelessness.

 Treatments for Bipolar Disease

There is no cure for bipolar disease. However, there are treatments that can be used to stabilize the chemical imbalance in the brain. Primarily this is done with the use of medications. Presently, Lithium is the most common medication used for the treatment of bipolar disease. This is a mood-stabilizing medication used for both bipolar and some psychotic diseases such as schizophrenia. However, other medications can be used as well, including anti-psychotic drugs, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications, and even some anti-convulsion medications. All have their side effects, and some are more effective in some cases than others. Some can be used as needed during particularly manic or depressive episodes. It is widely accepted that bipolar disease does need medication for control. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain, and counseling and other psychiatric therapy cannot safely control the disease. However, therapy can be effective in conjunction with medication. Also, electro convulsive therapy can be considered if an individual needs immediate relief from symptoms, before a medication is able to become effective. Hospitalization is also a treatment, which may need to be considered if medication alone cannot stabilize the excessive mood swings. 

How to Receive Help from Bipolar Disease

If you, or a loved one, are exhibiting symptoms of bipolar disease, it is essential that help be sought immediately. Many times an individual may be in a depressive state for a long period of time, and this could be the start of bipolar disease. One can stay in one stage or another for an extended period of time. If a wild mood swing occurs to a manic-like state, or if the depression begins to affect a way of life, help should be sought. Below are some links that may help to identify signs of bipolar disease as well as indications of when to seek help and where. Also, you will find tips on how to deal with living with bipolar disorder or with helping a loved one deal with the disease.