Introduction
Bipolar disease is a difficult psychological condition that is associated with a dramatic change in depressive, manic, hyperarousal conditions or alternating moods of depression and euphoria. People affected by manic-depressive syndrome experience sudden mood swings that significantly vary from the common social standard. The issue can occur intermittently, and between exacerbations, a person can have a completely normal life, after which an aggravation begins again. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the causes, symptoms, types, and treatments of bipolar disorder.
Causes and Symptoms
Experts consider that there is no single cause of manic-depressive disorder. Factors such as chemical disturbances in the brain, endocrine imbalances, genetic and psychological influences, as well as external mental health conditions can cause the disease to develop. Given the complexity of manic-depressive syndrome, symptoms can vary significantly and depend on the individual’s current mental state, attitude, and surrounding factors.
Some people may experience severe, recurrent fluctuations in depression and anxiety with symptoms of depression and mania (McIntyre et al., 1841). These periods can last from a few days to a few months, and the condition sometimes normalizes. Some patients may experience multiple years of euphoria or depression without a break or a mixed state with recurrent mood changes.
In general, the main symptoms of bipolar disorder include the following. Pathologically high sociability, sometimes turning into increased aggressiveness without obvious provocative reasons. In addition, excessive activity, absenteeism from school or work without a valid reason, and apathy to various activities.
Symptoms also include euphoric excitement, the exaltation of the self over other members of society, as well as excessive self-confidence, and an artificial sense of self-esteem. At the same time, the use of drugs, medications, and alcohol to combat insomnia is also one of the main symptoms of bipolar disorder (McIntyre et al., 1843). In addition, it is also worth noting inflammatory behavior and various other symbols connected with increased or reduced psychological functioning.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
There are two types of bipolar disorders characterized by dramatic mood fluctuations and inactivity: bipolar I and bipolar II. The range of these extreme mood variations includes manic episodes, which are irritable, depressive emergencies, and hypomanic events. Type I bipolar disorder is marked by episodes of severe manic episodes lasting at least 7 days. Symptoms of this type are severe and demand emergency medical attention (Carvalho, Firth, and Vieta 58). During this time period, there may also be a spell of low-grade depressive features accompanied by manic attacks that last up to 2 weeks in a row.
Bipolar II disorder is determined by episodes of episodes of hypomanic and dependent episodes. In type II bipolar illness, a person’s emotional functioning ranges from irregular highs to departmentalized lows, although the severe symptoms are not as pronounced as in type I bipolar disorder (Carvalho, Firth, and Vieta 59).
In addition, a human being may exhibit a variety of bipolar diagnostic features that do not conform to the above-mentioned categories. These symptoms are often grouped together as unspecified bipolar disorder. Typically, bipolar disorder is diagnosed in people in early adulthood or late adolescence (Carvalho, Firth, and Vieta 61). Pregnant patients are also affected by bipolar illness, and although it is uncommon, these features are also present in newborns.
Treatment
A comprehensive and modern therapy is used to treat this disease. A psychiatrist prescribes various drugs to be taken according to a strictly defined regimen, which cannot be violated. This takes into account not only the disease’s duration but also its course’s severity. In the case of bipolar disorder, the following drugs are prescribed to the patient: neuroleptics, antidepressants, and tranquilizers (Baldessarini, Tondo, and Vázquez 198). Often, doctors use monotherapy in the treatment of this disease, which is a one-step therapy with one drug. This is to trace the dynamics of the drug’s effectiveness and draw conclusions about the appropriateness of its use.
The main task of such therapy is to stabilize the patient’s emotional state. It should be understood that it is very difficult to choose a treatment since each patient reacts differently to a particular pharmacological agent depending on the state of the nervous system. It is not uncommon for a doctor to make several mistakes with treatment before finding the right system (Baldessarini, Tondo, and Vázquez 199).
However, once the right course is developed, the patient’s condition can be stabilized very quickly. It is mandatory for patients to use not only individual psychotherapy but also group sessions. The use of medication and psychotherapy together makes it possible not only to cope with the disease quickly but also to achieve long-term remission.
Conclusion
In summary, bipolar disorder is a serious mental health condition that requires proper diagnosis and treatment. With the right combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes, individuals with bipolar disorder can manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being. It is important for individuals with bipolar disorder to seek support and for society to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness so that individuals can access the care they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Works Cited
Baldessarini, Ross J., Leonardo Tondo, and Gustavo H. Vázquez. “Pharmacological Treatment of Adult Bipolar Disorder.” Molecular Psychiatry, vol. 24, no. 2, 2019, pp. 198-217. Web.
Carvalho, Andre F., Joseph Firth, and Eduard Vieta. “Bipolar Disorder.” New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 383, no. 1, 2020, pp. 58-66. Web.
McIntyre, Roger S., et al. “Bipolar Disorders.” The Lancet, vol. 396, 2020, pp. 1841-1856. Web.