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Bipolar affects about 3% of the American population today, and it is a mental condition taken seriously globally.
Learning more about bipolar disorders can help you deal with them effectively.
A sharp fluctuation in mood characterizes this mental health condition. This ranges from very low and demoralizing to a high or mania spirit.
Bipolar disorder also affects energy levels. While people usually have mood swings, this is more intense.
It also disrupts the daily activities of the person.
A person who has bipolar disorder will have a lot of mood swings. They might also experience some form of psychosis, including hallucinations and delusions.
These symptoms are so severe that they can affect the daily duties of the person. People with bipolar disorder will feel restless when energetic and hopeless when low.
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown. However, certain factors can contribute to its development. They are
There are three types of bipolar disorders, and these are bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymia.
People suffering from bipolar I have usually experienced just one or two mania episodes. When diagnosing bipolar I, ruling out schizophrenia is essential.
Some patients might experience hypomanic episodes after or before the mania episodes. However, this will be less severe than MDD.
The risk factor for men and women developing bipolar disorder is pretty equal.
A generally depressive state characterizes bipolar II. You might also experience one or two hypomania episodes.
Major depressive episodes can last for more than 14 days, while hypomania episodes generally last for 5-6 days.
Women are more likely to have bipolar II.
Cyclothymia is usually classified as different from bipolar disorder. However, they share a lot of similar traits.
People suffering from cyclothymia experience most depressive and hypomania episodes. These episodes are usually longer than other types but lesser in severity.
As earlier stated, bipolar disorder comes with mania and depressive tendencies. The symptoms are also in this order.
There is no real difference in the number of men and women with bipolar disorder. However, the type of bipolar and its symptoms might differ.
For example, females are more likely to develop bipolar II than males. Bipolar is also more likely to develop bipolar during their 30s or late 20s.
Women also have it more challenging because of their hormones. They experience a lot of hormonal changes during menstruation or pregnancy. These changes increase the chances of a relapse.
Men are more likely to have a diagnosis earlier in their lives, and they might also be more violent or aggressive during their episodes. Males are also more likely to develop bipolar I.
Substance abuse affects both males and females. However, males with bipolar are more likely to abuse drugs and other substances.
All diagnosis of bipolar disorder follows the guidelines outlined in DSM-5. For a doctor to diagnose you with bipolar I, you must have experienced symptoms for at least a week.
For a diagnosis of bipolar II, the patient must have shown symptoms of hypomania and depression (1 cycle).
Before any diagnosis, your doctor might ask you some questions about your symptoms. They might also ask you for blood and urine tests to rule out other possible causes.
Doctors can face some challenges when diagnosing bipolar disorder. These challenges include
If you are experiencing some symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Also known as talk therapy, this changes the thoughts and habits of the patient. A popular form of treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy.
This therapy aims at replacing negative thought patterns with positive ones. It also provides a safe place for patients to learn to manage their symptoms better.
Other forms of therapy include
If you’re looking to start therapy for your condition, you should check out Golden Gate Recovery. Armed with a team of passionate mental health experts, they make your recovery their priority.
Natural remedies such as improving your sleeping patterns and performing light exercises can work wonders.
Some persons have also seen improvements after taking supplements such as omega-3 and Rhodiola Rosea. However, please ask for your doctor’s recommendation before taking these supplements.
There is no known cure for bipolar disorder. However, medications and therapy can help you manage the symptoms.
Since no one knows the exact cause of bipolar disorder, there’s no precise way to prevent it.
So, you can not prevent bipolar.
Early intervention is the best way to handle bipolar disorder. Contact your doctor immediately if you think you have bipolar.
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