About Mental Illness >> Bipolar Disorder
Questions and Answers
Serious mental illness creates uncertainty and confusion, in both the person with the disease and the people around them. Here, we've collected some of the most common questions about schizophrenia, as well as questions about treatment, management and reintegration.
Of course, every situation is different and no single list of questions can provide all the answers needed. So be sure to talk to physicians, caregivers, therapists and other professionals.
What is bipolar disorder?
How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?
What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?
What causes bipolar disorder?
Is there a cure?
How is bipolar disorder treated?
Is a complete recovery possible?
Where can someone turn for help?
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness in which a person's mood can swing dramatically from deep depression to intense highs, or "mania." In fact, the disease is often referred to as manic depression.
In the United States, approximately 1 in 100 people will be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. And while both men and women are equally likely to develop the disease, it tends be a combination of highs and lows for men, whereas women tend to have more cycles of depression than mania.
Bipolar disorder tends to fist appear when people are in their 20s, but some show symptoms of the disease as children or adolescents, and some are diagnosed with the illness much later in life.
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How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?
Only a trained mental health professional can make a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. They will look for periods of persistent depression along with periodic episodes of mania.
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What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is characterized by two different sets of symptoms, both of which can be disruptive and frightening, but can also be effectively treated and managed.
In the mania phase, the symptoms may include:
· Dramatic elation
· Grandiose delusions
· Excessively risky behavior
· Hyperactivity
· Racing thoughts and speech
· Sudden irritability or anger and less need for sleep
In the depressive phase, the symptoms may include:
· Deep sadness or despair
· Disinterest
· Sleep difficulties
· Difficulty concentrating
· Loss of energy
· Appetite changes
· Thoughts of death or suicide
The timing and duration of these symptom "episodes" is difficult to predict and can vary greatly from person to person. Generally, the depressive episodes last longer than the manic episodes.
Depressive episodes can last months or longer, especially if untreated, while the manic episodes are generally measured by days or weeks.
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What causes bipolar disorder?
Scientists believe that both genetics and environment play a role in the development and onset of bipolar disorder.
Since the disease tends to run in families, a genetic factor is probably at the root of the disease. An overwhelming majority - as many as 90% -- of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder have a relative known to suffer from either depression or bipolar disorder.
Research has also explored other physiological factors, including irregularities in the how brain cells communicate, and an abnormal production or release of hormones.
The actual onset of bipolar disorder is not so well understood.Studies have shown that both manic and depressive phases may be triggered by incidents of physical or emotional trauma, dramatic life changes, or the loss of a relationship. Physical illnesses and hormonal changes have both been linked to the onset of an episode, as well as alcohol or drug abuse.
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Is there a cure?
There is no cure for bipolar disorder. With the causes rooted in a complex combination of genetics, brain chemistry and environmental factors, an outright cure is unlikely for the immediate future.
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How is bipolar disorder treated?
The treatment of bipolar disorder has advanced dramatically in recent years. Using mood stabilizing medication and SGA's especially when psychotic synptoms coincide is essential for many patients. Together with the intervention of concerned and informed caregivers and family members, people with bipolar disorder are reaching higher levels of reintegration than ever before.
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Is a complete recovery possible?
Bipolar disorder is a disease that will likely affect a person for the rest of their life. But there are more and more people who, through skillful treatment, are finding satisfying work, living independently and forming meaningful relationships. Helping people and their families achieve this level of reintegration is the mission of the Center of Reintegration, and reintegration.com.
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Where can someone turn for help?
There are many organizations and other information resources that are available to help people with serious mental illness, their families and concerned caregivers. They include both local organizations and national advocacy groups. Many states have created programs specifically to help people reintegrate.
Bipolar Disorder