Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder is defined as severe Manic/Depression. Bipolar Disorder is a behavioral illness. The symptoms manifest themselves in bad behaviors. The person who is afflicted with it has extreme highs and unforgiving lows, often with long periods of regularity in between.
There are two types of Bipolar Disorder, Bipolar I and Bipolar II. With Bipolar
Disorder I, you will have a history of at least 1 episode of mania characterized by irritable
a mood that is severe enough to impair a person’s ability to function normally, in
relationships, social situations and work environments. . In Bipolar II a person experiences at least 1 episode of depression and at least 1 episode of severe mania that repeats itself. Bipolar is confusing.
In most cases the patient is normally in a state of regularity. The doctor may never get the chance to see the mania side of your illness. You may describe your manic episodes, but there is nothing better than them actually seeing you in action.
Bipolar Disorder can be genetic. If anyone in your genetic family has the symptoms,
even if they have not been diagnosed, you are at a higher risk for developing Bipolar Disorder. If you have Bipolar Disorder, changes in sleep patterns or daily routines put you at risk for manic episodes. Also a stressful event may trigger a manic episode. Most job situations are filled with stress. This can trigger manic episodes. Alcohol and drug abuse can also trigger a depressive or manic episode. Alcohol is a depressant in the first place and should not be taken with psychiatric medications.
Bipolar Disorder is an imbalance of serotonin, norepinephrine and/or dopamine in the
brain. These are Neurotransmitters in the brain and regulate the nervous system. The medications replace these chemicals in the brain and maintain a healthy balance.
Many people do not like the side effects, of the medication. Therefore they simply don’t take them or stop taking them abruptly while on them. This is not recommended. If you are Bipolar and are on medication DO NOT stop taking your medications abruptly. This type of action may throw you into seizures at inopportune times and may be life threatening, such as while driving, or operating machinery.
People with Bipolar Disorder have a very delicate system and it is often very hard to maintain a medication balance. If you know someone who is suffering from the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder, please be understanding. It really is confusing from both sides of the fence. It is most important to seek treatment if you are the afflicted. Please to be supportive if you are the person that watches from the outside of the illness.
Behaviors with family, to social relationships, to work relationships can be affected badly if you have Bipolar Disorder. This illness is a very rare illness and many people are being labeled Bipolar in today’s society when more research may show an entirely different illness is the cause for the bad behavior.