Abstract
Bipolar and Mania disorders is a condition that is characterized by two major phases depression and euphoria. These phases are normally manifested in other symptoms for instance talking fast and lack of concentration in the euphoric phase.
The condition has a serious effect on family members of the patient who are often unable to cope with changes in moods. The condition can however be controlled by the use of drugs and psychotherapy.
Bipolar And Mania Disorder
A bipolar disorder is also known as mania or manic depression. It is a mood disorder that is characterized by periods of depression that alternate with periods of grout excitement (euphoria). The depressive phase is characterized by feelings of hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, changes in sleep patterns and loss of interest in activities that were once pleasurable.
The manic phase is characterize by restlessness, increased energy, poor judgment, excited mood, lack of concentration, insomnia, racing thoughts and bad behavior. During a manic phase the person may talk very fast, be irritable and may hold false beliefs about their abilities. The manic phase differentiates a bipolar disorder from a major depression or the later does not have any euphoric episodes.
The bipolar disorder is of two main types
- Bipolar 1 – which is characterized by the most severe symptoms
- Bipolar II which is characterized by less severe (moderate) symptoms.
The bipolar disorder is the most misdiagnosed mental illness in the United States. A research carried out by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) indicated that most people presenting the mildest form of this disorder the sub-threshold bipolar disorder often sought treatment for other mental illnesses such as depression or drug abuse.
Due to this mis-diagnosis, the number of people suffering from this condition is through to be actually double of the current figure. This generally means that half the people with bipolar and mania disorder do not receive any treatment at all for their condition.
The onset of the condition is usually in the early twenties though the first symptoms can appear early in childhood or later in life. It is often a chronic condition though some people may experience only one episode in their lifetime.
Rapid cycling is a term used to refer to the manifestation of more than four episodes of mania or depression annually. Research has revealed that majority of patients suffering from bipolar abuse drugs at some stage of their illness with the commonest substances being marijuana, cigarettes and alcohol.
The condition has had a serious effect on the family of patients whose patience and love is tested every time the patient creates a world of chaos around them. Other families feel alienated from the society as it tends no fear and discriminate against people who are mentally ill and their families.
The diagnosis of a bipolar and mania disorder is made from the symptoms of depression and euphoria a patient presents. The severity of the symptoms helps in the classification of the condition into various categories.
A wide range of treatment is available for people with this condition. Treatment can include hospitalization in a situation where the patient is uncontrollable and whose behavior is reckless and unpredictable.
The patient should also undergo psychotherapy also known as talk therapy. This involves talking with a therapist and it helps the patient cope with hurtful relationships and also cope with difficult situations that could trigger an episode. The doctor can also prescribe short-term use of anti-psychotic medication which helps to control psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions by balancing neurotransmitters in the brain.
It has a side effect of weight gain and also increases the risk of diabetes. Calcium channel blockers can also be used to block calcium channels thus dilating the blood vessels hence lowering the blood pressure and improving irregular heartbeats. This also stabilizes the mood. Its side effects include flushing, headaches, slowed heart rates and arrhythmia.
Anti-convulsant drugs are also used to calm activity in the brain hence stabilizing the mood. However it has serious side effects such as birth defects if taken by expectant women, liver damage and drug interactions for example with aspirin.
Lithium is sometimes used together with anti-convulsants. It acts on the central nervous system and reduces the severity and frequency of maniac episodes. It is also known to reduce the risk of suicide. Its risk include bone weakness in children, it should not be taken with alcoholic beverages and certain antacids. Benzodiazepines are drugs used to slow the central nervous system. The side effects include dizziness, drowsiness and memory loss.
Electro convulsive therapy (electric shock therapy) is usually used as a last resort when the other drugs are unable to control the episodes of mania in extreme mania and in expectant women with mania. It involves passing an electric current into the brain through the scalp. It is performed under general anesthetic and after the administration of a muscle relaxant.
The patient gets seizures but the muscle relaxant administered limits the size of the seizures and also limits the seizures to the hands and feet. It’s side effects include memory loss, confusion and rarely a heart attach or stroke.
The patient can live healthily with bipolar disorder by exercising regularly good sleep and reducing the levels of stress. With better knowledge of the disease it is easier to treat it and also to prevent recurrent episodes
References
Bipolar Disorders. Web.
Bipolar Disorder (mania). Web.
Treatment of Bipolar Mania. Web.