| Bipolar disorder, also commonly known as | | | | |
| manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder | | | | Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings, |
| that inflicts unusual swing not only in a | | | | from overly high, called a mania episode to |
| person's mood but also the level of energy, | | | | an overly low mood called severe depression. |
| irritability, aggressiveness, ability to | | | | Some of bipolar disorder's manic symptoms |
| function and temperament. Although we all | | | | include restlessness, extreme irritability, |
| experience certain changes in our mood from | | | | super-charged energy level, racing thoughts |
| time to time, someone who suffers from | | | | and ideas followed by the inability to |
| bipolar disorder experience this in much | | | | express them in an understandable manner, |
| greater intensity and severity, often it | | | | feeling excessively "high" or euphoric, |
| becomes so extreme and disruptive that this | | | | feeling jumpy or needing very little sleep, |
| disorder interferes with a person's normal | | | | total lack of concentration, becoming easily |
| daily life. | | | | distracted, unrealistic beliefs in one's |
| | | | abilities and powers and poor judgment. Some |
| This condition can be dangerous and even | | | | may also experience increased sexual drive, |
| life-threatening if left undiagnosed and | | | | becoming intrusive, aggressive or provocative |
| untreated. A patient who is suffering from | | | | and still deny that anything is wrong with |
| bipolar disorder may deteriorate from feeling | | | | them. |
| depressed to feeling absolutely suicidal as | | | | |
| the sense of sadness, loneliness and | | | | On the other end of the scale, symptoms of a |
| hopelessness take hold. This disorder usually | | | | depressive episode include an overwhelming |
| develops in late adolescence, around the age | | | | feeling of hopelessness or pessimism, a |
| of eighteen or early adulthood. However many | | | | prolonged feeling of emptiness, anxiety and |
| sufferers live with this condition for years | | | | extreme sadness, a sense of guilt or |
| before it is properly diagnosed. Without | | | | worthlessness, difficulty in concentrating, |
| treatment, the usual course of bipolar | | | | remembering or making decisions, |
| disorder tends to go from bad to worse. The | | | | sleeplessness or chronic fatigue leading to |
| risk of suicide appears to be higher earlier | | | | excessive sleeping, loss of interest in |
| in the course of the illness, consequently | | | | activities previously enjoyed, weight gain or |
| being able to detect the symptoms of bipolar | | | | loss, and continuous thought of suicide or |
| disorder early and learning how best to | | | | death. |
| manage it may help decrease the risk of death | | | | |
| by suicide. | | | | Seeking Treatment |
| | | | |
| Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder | | | | A sufferer of a bipolar disorder will need to |
| | | | be diagnosed by a certified professional |
| How can you identify the symptoms of bipolar | | | | before treatment can commence. Most people |
| disorder? It is sometimes quite easy to | | | | with this condition, including those with the |
| dismiss this condition especially among | | | | most severe forms, can achieve substantial |
| teenagers as they are usually full of angst, | | | | stabilization of their mood swings and |
| depressed or go through different phases of | | | | related symptoms with proper medication and |
| intense emotions during late adolescence or | | | | psychosocial treatment over a period of time. |
| early adulthood. Parents do need to keep an | | | | Both the patient and doctor must work closely |
| eye on their teenage children's feelings and | | | | together every step of the way to monitor |
| if these episodes of mania or depression do | | | | progress and make the necessary adjustments |
| not subside or stop altogether, they could | | | | to the treatment plan to ensure treatment |
| well be exhibiting the symptoms of a bipolar | | | | effectiveness. |
| disorder. | | | | |