One of the many mental illnesses affecting individuals in Anguilla is bipolar disorder also formerly known as manic-depressive illness. Vey often these individuals fail to go to the appropriate healthcare provider and suffer as a result. When bipolar disorder is not under control, it can cause problems in many areas of life including work place/job, relationships, sleep, health, and money.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Most clinicians agree that there are four basic types of bipolar disorder. All of them involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, and energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very sad, “down,” or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.
• Bipolar I Disorder — defined by manic episodes that last at least 7 days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually, depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at least 2 weeks. Episodes of depression with mixed features (having depression and manic symptoms at the same time) are also possible.
• Bipolar II Disorder — defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not the full-blown manic episodes described above.
• Cyclothymic Disorder (also called cyclothymia) — defined by numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms as well numerous periods of depressive symptoms lasting for at least 2 years.
• Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorders — defined by bipolar disorder symptoms that do not match the three categories listed above.
Why do you get bipolar disorder?
At this time many experts in this field agree that there is no single cause. Instead, it is likely that many factors contribute to the illness or increased risk. Possible factors include brain abnormalities, genetic causes and familial factors as bipolar disorder tends to run in families. Children with a parent or sibling who has bipolar disorder are much more likely to develop the illness, compared with children who do not have a family history of the disorder. However, it is important to note that most people with a family history of bipolar disorder will not develop the illness.
What are some signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder?
People who have it may spend weeks feeling like they are on top of the world before plunging into a deep depression. The length of each high and low varies greatly from person to person.
Without treatment, a person with bipolar disorder may have intense episodes of depression. Symptoms include sadness, anxiety, loss of energy, hopelessness, and trouble concentrating. They may lose interest in activities that they used to enjoy. It is also common to gain or lose weight, sleep too much or too little, and even think about suicide.
During the manic phase of this disorder, people feel super-charged and think they can do anything. Their self-esteem soars out of control and it is hard for them to sit still. They talk more, are easily distracted, their thoughts race, and they do not sleep enough. Three or more of these symptoms nearly everyday for a week, accompanied by feelings of intense excitement, may signal a manic episode.
Bipolar disorder and risky behaviour
Many people with bipolar disorder have trouble with drugs or alcohol. They may drink or abuse drugs to ease the uncomfortable symptoms of their mood swings. Substance misuse may also be prone to occur as part of the recklessness and pleasure-seeking associated with mania.
Treatment
Like other mental illnesses, many individuals fail to seek help for a number of reasons one of which is the stigma attached to mental illnesses. There is no doubt that treatment helps individuals with bipolar disorders – even those with the most severe forms of bipolar disorder – gain better control of their mood swings and other bipolar symptoms. An effective treatment plan usually includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness. Episodes of mania and depression typically come back over time. Between episodes, many people with bipolar disorder are free of mood changes, but some people may have lingering symptoms. Long-term, continuous treatment helps to control these symptoms. A number of different medications are available to help control symptoms. An individual may need to try several different medications before finding one that works best.
Getting help
If you have bipolar disorder, you may want to consider telling the people you are closest to, like your partner or your immediate family or pastor, so that they can help you manage the condition. Try to explain how it affects you and what you need. With their support, you may feel more connected and motivated to stick with your treatment plan.
Many people with bipolar disorder do not realize they have a problem, or avoid getting help. If you think a friend or family member may have it, you may want to encourage them to talk with a doctor or mental health expert who can look into what is going on and provide them with treatment. Be sensitive to their feelings, and remember that it takes an expert to diagnose it. Reassure them that if it is bipolar disorder, or another mental illness, treatment is available right here in Anguilla.
Conclusion
Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs and lows (depression). When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities. Although bipolar disorder is a disruptive, long-term condition, someone with this disorder can keep his/her moods in check by following a treatment plan. In most cases, bipolar disorder can be controlled with medications and psychological counseling (psychotherapy).
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG, is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty-two years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 4975828).
