Oregon Careers in Healthcare

Today, many healthcare professionals aim to treat all types of mental illness. Mental illness has become a priority for most. One of the diseases is Bipolar Disorder. What is it? How do you acquire it? Is it treatable?

You’ll find out in this article.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression is a lifetime mental disease. It’s a type of mood disorder that is characterized by unusual mood swings, unwanted thoughts, lack of attention and concentration, undesired feelings, and misbehavior. It disrupts a person’s natural living.

A person with bipolar disorder usually experiences manic or depressive episodes. Bipolar Disorder is a combination of extreme highs and ultimate lows. This brain condition affects his or her relationships and performance during the day.

At a high, a person with bipolar disorder will be full of energy, often friendly, and is productive. At a low, he or she will experience sadness (sometimes unexplained), lacks the power to perform activities, and can stay away from instances that force them to be sociable.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

A person with bipolar disorder may show the following:

• Feeling of hopelessness
• Depressed or just empty
• Irregular sleeping patterns
• Unable to focus and concentrate
• Irritable
• Reckless behavior
• Impulsiveness
• Increased sex drive or hypersexuality
• Grandiose beliefs of power
• Tiredness
• Excessive energy
• Racing thoughts
• Aggressiveness
• Loss of interest

You should seek the advice of healthcare professionals to be appropriately diagnosed.

How does one get Bipolar Disorder?

Causes of Bipolar Disorder could be genetic factors and, or it’s just in your biology. It may be you developed chemical imbalances in the brain, or your environment is not healthy. Another cause is if you have a family with the same condition.

What are the types of Bipolar Disorders?

Bipolar I Disorder – Bipolar I (pronounced as Bipolar One) is characterized by severe manic episodes. A person should have at least one manic episode to be categorized as Bipolar I. At times, the person affected would possibly need hospitalization because of mania. It is also possible that the person will have a major depressive episode.

Bipolar II Disorder – Bipolar II patients have lesser manic episodes, but the person affected mostly experiences major depressive episodes. It is less severe — the psychiatric condition cycles through depressive episodes and hypomanic periods. Bipolar II is not a regular depression and is sometimes misdiagnosed. Seeking professional help will help you understand your behavior better.

Cyclothymic Disorder or Cyclothymia – is a parade of mild hypomanic symptoms and mild depressive symptoms. People affected may not experience full mania or major depression. In short, this type of disorder is milder than the other two.

If a regular family doctor can’t find any symptoms, it is best to visit a psychiatrist. No need to be shy, everybody’s got battles. A healthcare professional such as a psychiatrist will evaluate if you are indeed Bipolar and what type.

Is there a way you can cure Bipolar Disorder?

Unfortunately, no. The disease requires lifelong treatment. There is no cure for Bipolar Disorder. But Bipolar symptoms can be managed through psychiatric treatment.

Treatments from Healthcare Professionals

A doctor should diagnose and provide the patient with the following:

Mood Stabilizers – Prescribing Mood stabilizers help stabilize the chemical imbalances in the brain.

Antipsychotics – Antipsychotics are short-term treatments for Bipolar Disorder to manage and help prevent hallucinations, acute or mania, and severe depression.

Anti-depressants – Anti-depressants are additional prescriptions to treat depressive episodes.

Psychotherapy – A psychiatrist usually holds psychotherapy sessions to help you adjust your behavior and overcome life problems. The treatment is psychological than medical.

Other Treatments

Let’s say you don’t want the meds to do all the work, let’s try some treatments you can do that will help you manage Bipolar Disorder. (News flash: You need a lifestyle change.)

Exercise – During exercise, your body releases endorphins (the brain’s feel-good chemical). Not only will the chemical imbalances be tamed, but you looking fit is a significant confidence boost.

Diet – A healthy diet will help you manage the symptoms. Eat brain food like whole grains, food rich in omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., salmons, egg, flaxseeds, avocados), nuts, and probiotics, will help manage your manic episodes.

Sleep – Lack of sleep can trigger a mood. It’s essential to maintain good sleep hygiene. What you can do is, have a regular sleeping and waking hour. Make sure your surroundings are peaceful. Avoid alcohol or caffeine. If you still have difficulty managing your sleeping patterns, you may talk to your trusted physician.

The Bottom Line

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that can disrupt a person’s regular living. It has no cure, but it can be treated with medications, psychotherapy, and lifestyle change.