BY: SANIA HYDER AND RIVANA SRIDARAN
TW: MENTAL HEALTH, BIPOLAR DISORDER, ADDICTION
ARTWORK BY: ANJANA KASHYAP
The word bipolar is thrown around so casually that most of us have forgotten that it is a chronic mental illness. It is defined as a disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.
The exact cause of the bipolar disorder is unknown, however, a combination of genetics, environment, altered brain structure, and lastly chemical wiring are said to play a role.
It is broadly classified into four kinds, namely:
Bipolar I Disorder: involves periods of severe mood episodes from mania to depression.
Bipolar II Disorder: it is a milder form of mood elevation, involving milder episodes of hypomania that alternate with periods of severe depression.
Mixed: refers to the occurrence of simultaneous symptoms of opposite mood polarities during manic, hypomanic, or depressive episodes. It is marked by high energy, sleeplessness, and racing thoughts. At the same time, the person may feel hopeless, despairing, irritable, and suicidal. and, finally
Cyclothymic Disorder: describes brief periods of hypomanic symptoms alternating with brief periods of depressive symptoms that are not as extensive or as long-lasting as seen in full hypomanic episodes or full depressive episodes. Hypomania is a general ‘high’ lasting for a period of about 4 days.
Even though a bipolar disorder cannot be self-diagnosed, and it needs to be examined by a trained medical examiner, there are several symptoms to look out for, them being:
First experienced depression before the age of 20.
You do not get better with antidepressants.
You have an immediate family history of bipolar disorder.
You have 3 or more depressive episodes within a span of 5 years.
Mood stabilizers give you a full recovery.
Ideas of reference- a common form of hallucination where one tends to associate random surrounding happenings such as radio and television commentary as a directed message for oneself (for instance, it may appear to you as a ‘sign’ when, in reality, it is a mere coincidence).
Being abnormally more talkative than usual or feeling the immense pressure and need to converse.
Inflated elevated flaky self-esteem or grandiosity.
Decreased need for sleep- can last days without sleep or experiencing exhaustion but not the need for slumber.
Flight of ideas or “racing thoughts”.
Excessive involvement in activities that may have a high potential for pain.
Being bipolar is a lifelong condition but that does not mean it cannot be treated. The treatment is directed at the conditions and symptoms. The symptoms are treated by:
⮚ Medications – many medications are used to treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder. These include mood stabilizers, anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, and anti-anxiety medications. Abruptly stopping these medications may cause withdrawal effects.
⮚ Day treatment programs - These programs provide the support and counseling you need while you get symptoms under control.
⮚ Substance abuse treatment program - If you have problems with alcohol or drugs, you will also need substance abuse treatment.
⮚ Hospitalization - if your symptoms get out of control then getting psychiatric treatment at a hospital can help keep you calm and safe and stabilize your mood, whether you're having a manic or major depressive episode.
⮚ Psychotherapy and support groups.
Like every other mental illness, a bipolar disorder often gets worse if it is left untreated. Episodes may happen more often or become more extreme. Therefore, diagnosis is especially important.
One must keep in mind that they are not alone in this battle for stable mental health and there are people to support you. With the right treatments and a little bit of support, you can lead a healthy, safe, and happy life.
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