Manic-depressive illness or bipolar affective disorder, also known as bipolar disorder is a mental disorder characterized by periods of elevated mood and periods of depression. During mania an individual feels or acts abnormally happy, energetic or irritable. They often do poorly thought out decisions with little regard to the consequences.
The term "bipolar" is widely used an expression among today's society. However, experts say most people do not really comprehend what the term encompasses. In fact, bipolar people often mistake their episodes for mood swings. This is why they do not get the proper medication for it. This causes the disorder to increase in severity as time passes due to environmental, genetic, mental and emotional factors.
About three percent of people in the United States experience bipolar disorder at any age and almost 90% of these people are estimated to experience severe symptoms and disruption in daily functioning. Only about 39% of people with bipolar disorder are believed to receive necessary treatment, but an alarming 51% of people with the disorder receive no treatment at all.
Many well-known people believed or have a bipolar disorder like Artist Vincent Van Gogh.
People with bipolar disorder may experience periods of time where they are creative, driven and highly energetic. However, in spite of such periods of productivity, the disorder typically causes significant strain on relationships, families and careers whenever the extreme mood swings kick in.
Other symptoms include, rapid and pressured speech, significant decreased sleep, irritability, poor judgment, lack of interest in activities, excessive sleep or difficulty falling asleep and unusual changes in appetite.
Most of the times, bipolar disorder is hard to identify at an early age, but it gets clearer when the affected person approaches teenage and adult years. Proper medication and treatment, however, are available to put this disorder under control.
Treatment commonly includes psychotherapy and medications such as mood stabilizers or antipsychotics. Examples of mood stabilizers that are commonly used include: lithium- effective in controlling mood swings; and anti-convulsants. Newer medicines, like Depakote, Lamictal, Latuda or atypical antipsychotic medications may also be prescribed to some people with bipolar disorder.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and proper education regarding the disorder will be helpful in the recognition of the early signs of the disorder.