Is Bipolar Disorder Serious?

Bipolar disorder is a severe mental illness that causes unusual shifts in mood, ranging from extreme highs (mania) to lows (depression). The exact cause of the bipolar disorder isn’t known, but a combination of genetics, environment-altered brain structure, and chemistry may play a role. Manic episodes may include symptoms such as high energy, reduced need for sleep, and loss of touch with reality.

Bipolar disorder is widely believed to result from chemical imbalances in the brain. The chemicals responsible for controlling the brain’s functions are neurotransmitters including noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine.

• Bipolar I. Bipolar I disorder is the most common of the four types.
• Bipolar II. Bipolar II disorder is characterized by the shifting between less severe hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes.
• Cyclothymic disorder.
• Unspecified bipolar disorder.

To diagnose bipolar disorder, a doctor performs a physical exam, asks about your symptoms, and recommends blood testing to determine if another condition, such as hypothyroidism, is causing your symptoms. If the doctor does not find an underlying cause of your symptoms, he or she performs a psychological evaluation.

Bipolar disorder can worsen if left undiagnosed and untreated. Episodes may become more frequent or more severe over time without treatment. Also, delays in getting the correct diagnosis and treatment can contribute to personal, social, and work-related problems.

Drugs with a definite propensity to cause manic symptoms include levodopa, corticosteroids, and anabolic-androgenic steroids. Antidepressants of the tricyclic and monoamine oxidase inhibitor classes can induce mania in patients with pre-existing bipolar affective disorder.

Bipolar disorder is frequently inherited, with genetic factors accounting for approximately 80% of the cause of the condition. Bipolar disorder is the most likely psychiatric disorder to be passed down from the family. If one parent has bipolar disorder, there’s a 10% chance that their child will develop the illness.

Some experts believe that experiencing a lot of emotional distress as a child can cause bipolar disorder to develop. This could be because childhood trauma and distress can greatly affect your ability to manage your emotions. This can include experiences like Neglect.

Psychosis is a symptom of a condition, not a disorder. People experiencing psychosis may have hallucinations or delusions. Sometimes, a person with bipolar disorder may experience symptoms of psychosis. This often occurs during a severe episode of mania or depression.

Doctors currently diagnose bipolar disorder with a clinical examination. Recent studies have explored the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factors in blood samples in cases of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. A new blood test could support a clinical diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

First-line treatments for bipolar depressive episodes include lithium or lamotrigine monotherapy. For more severe cases, can add a second mood stabilizer (e.g., lamotrigine combined with lithium or Divalproex). Atypical antipsychotics can be added for patients with psychotic features (e.g., delusions, and hallucinations).

Once known as “manic depression,” bipolar disorder causes mood swings between intense emotional highs and lows. In a study of people with bipolar disorder, approximately 60% had some history of substance abuse. Although it’s not fully understood why bipolar disorder makes people more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol.

Research shows bipolar disorder may damage the brain over time. Experts think it’s because you slowly lose amino acids. They help build the proteins that make up the insulation around your neurons.

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