| Other Disease Names: Bipolar disease is most often known as manic depression. Some people also call it something as simple as mood swings. However, bipolar disease is much more serious than mere mood swings. What It Is: Bipolar disease is a mental illness caused by a chemical disorder of the brain. Symptoms of this disorder usually start emerging in victims during their teen years, though often times they will manifest in adults, and sometimes in young children. Bipolar disease is a combination of mania and depression. The Symptoms: The symptoms of manic depression manifest in cycles. A person with manic depression goes through manic periods, and depressed periods. The symptoms of a manic episode include irritation, little need for sleep, extreme energy, recklessness, and racing thoughts. The symptoms of a depressive episode include lack of energy, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, and weight loss or gain. There is also another phase to manic depression, called hypomania, which is basically a milder version of mania. The cycles can be anywhere from a few days to a few months in length. Also, some people experience something called rapid cycling, in which they move between mania and depression in mere hours. Lifestyle: Bipolar disease is an inherited illness. However, life style can affect the disease. Often external stimulus, such as the changing seasons, or a traumatic event can trigger an episode of mania or depression. Risk Factors Some serious complications can come from bipolar disease. First and foremost is suicide. Often a person with manic depression will fall into a deep state of hopelessness and kill themselves. Also, during manic episodes, a person with bipolar disease will often participate in reckless behavior, such as unprotected sex with multiple partners. How the Risk Factors Can Be Changed The mood swings associated with bipolar disease can be controlled through consistent usage of the right medications. This can prevent self destructive behaviors. Tests Used To Confirm Diagnoses Bipolar disease can be very difficult to diagnose, as it often masquerades as either mania or depression. Also, often a person with bipolar disease will also have other mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, making it even harder to diagnose. A person is diagnosed with bipolar disorder mostly based on observation over a period of time. Medical Management There is no cure for bipolar disease. However, the symptoms can be at least partially controlled through medications. This doesn�t always prevent a relapse tough, and often times a patient will stop taking their medications because they miss hypomania. Some medicines used for bipolar disease include lithium, diazipan, sulperide, stelazine, doxapin, and lozapine. It is very important that antidepressants only be used with mood stabilizers, to prevent extreme cases of mania. As well as taking medications, a person with bipolar disease should also attend therapy. Case Study The subject of this case study is a twenty year old woman who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of nineteen. Throughout most of her life she was a quiet, shy, person. The first indication of this disease was her sudden participation in classroom discussion, which pleased her parents and teachers greatly. However, as time went on she began to grow nervous and agitated, and the things she said ceased to make sense. She believed herself to have god-like powers. Then suddenly this all changed, and she lapsed into a depression. As years passed, nobody could figure out what was wrong with her. When she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it was a relief, because finally she knew what was wrong with her. She was treated with a mixture of antidepressants and mood stabilizers. These treatments worked very well for her, despite occasional relapses. She lived. |