Bipolar Disorder Facts

Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive disorder, is one of the many mood disorders-abnormal psychological conditions characterized by extreme, repetitive swings in mood over prolonged periods in life. In such swings, the thoughts and energy of the person are changed such that he/she shows maladaptive behavior. Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating episodes of mania (high energy and elated thought) and depression (low energy and blues). The duration of these mood conditions vary from hours to weeks and even months. In some cases, however, symptoms of mania and depression may occur together in a state called Mixed Bipolar State. Bipolar disorder facts show that over 2 million adult Americans suffer every year from it.
The Age of Vulnerability
Bipolar disorder facts reveal that this abnormality mostly strikes in late adolescence or early adult life (90 % cases start before age 20). However, some children do develop the first symptoms and it may well attack in older age. In many cases, it remains unnoticed as an abnormality and hence it is difficult to determine the exact age when the patient started to suffer from it.

Types of Bipolar Disorder
Two main types of bipolar disorder are commonly known: bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder. In the former case, the patient has experienced at least one episode of high mania. In bipolar II, the patient has not met a full mania but has experienced at least one episode of hypomania (milder form of elation). Numerous episodes of hypomania alternating with depression are called cyclothymic disorder.

Manic Episodes
Manic episodes are characterized by high activity, irritability and restlessness, euphoric feeling, racing thinking and speech hopping from topic to topic, impulsiveness, lack of concentration and poor judgment. In many cases the manic-depressive shows erratic or rash behavior e.g. in driving or sexual activity. In severe cases of mania, hallucinations (hearing voices that are not there) and delusions (strong irrational beliefs about reality) may also occur.

Depressive Episodes
Depression includes gloomy mood with feelings of emptiness and often crying spells. Feelings of guilt and helplessness encircle the person. There is either too much sleep or loss of sleep with loss of interest in appetite and other drives like sex, that once were part of enjoyment. A key feature of depressive cases is feelings of fatigue or lifelessness in the absence of any physical reasons like exertion or so. Pessimism, indifference, indecisiveness, and (in extreme cases) recurring thoughts of death and suicide are other main indicators of depression.

Victims of Bipolar Disorder
According to published bipolar disorder facts, the disorder occurs in all ages, races, ethnic groups and social classes. Men and women equally suffer from it, though women have been reported to experience more rapid cycling of mood swings. Also, over two thirds of the victims have at least one close relative suffering from the disorder or from major depression; a fact pointing to hereditary character of diseases in many cases.

Bipolar Disorder

Unipolar
Depression itself is considered a unipolar condition, but it is a sign of bipolar disorder also. Suffering in a state of depression can be debilitating to a patient, depending on the severity of the situation. Some patients are able to snap themselves out of depression with or without the help of medication and a trained medical or mental health professional. Because depression can result in suicide, it is always important that a person suffering from depression be treated, regardless of whether they exhibit a sign of bipolar disorder.

Because signs of depression including fatigue, excessive sleep, irritability, lack of activity, social withdrawal, etc., these indicators are a sign of bipolar disorder, as well.

Bipolar
The difference between unipolar and bipolar is the addition of a state of heightened excitement, considered being a state of mania. This state does not need to coincide directly with the depressive incidents; it could happen days or weeks before or after. It is definitely a sign of bipolar disorder when added to other indicators assigned by or reported to a mental health professional.

Manic episodes are generally accompanied by or include “bursts” of energy (not needing sleep), significantly more physical activity, or ability when compared to “normal” functioning, and restlessness. In addition to increased or excessive talking, some of the talking may be incoherent. People may appear to be talking to themselves, when actually they are presuming that everyone is listening to them.

Someone in a manic state may be exhibiting inappropriate behavior, impulsivity, financial irresponsibility, and grandiosity (thinking they rule the world or that they are immortal). Inappropriate behavior may include promiscuity or excessive spending, shopping, or gambling, and drug or alcohol abuse.

An increased awareness or religious affiliation (or rantings) might suggest a sign of bipolar disorder, especially if a person claims to be or know God or another higher power. They may be excitable or hostile, disoriented, or suffering from racing thoughts. Their speech may sound irrational and may echo their disjointed or disoriented thinking. In extreme cases, someone suffering from bipolarity may see things or people that aren’t really there (hallucinations) or that someone (or something) is out to get them (paranoid).

Suicidal Ideology
Whether suffering from unipolar depression or bipolarity, suicide is a major concern—and while it is not only a sign of bipolar disorder, the rate is thought to be approximately 20 percent of bipolar individuals who do not get treatment. It is presumed that 2.3 million Americans (approximately 1 percent of the population) suffer from an indication of bipolarity.kd