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Have you ever had mood swings and were met by someone saying, “you’re bipolar?” Not only is that offensive, but it is inaccurate. Bipolar disorder is a severe condition that can affect an individual’s way of life. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about bipolar disorder.
The way it is portrayed in movies or on television is not an accurate depiction. It is a debilitating condition that can start in early childhood but may not appear until your late 40’s or 50’s. Bipolar does not discriminate between men and women, and it can be found in all races, ages, social classes, and ethnic groups.
According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, approximately 5.7 million adults in the United States struggle with the condition. That breaks down to 2.6 percent of the adult population that is 18 or older.
The average age of onset is 25 years old, but as mentioned above, you can develop it any time throughout life. More than two-thirds of those with bipolar disorder have one close relative with the illness or with unipolar major depression. It shows that bipolar has a heritable component.
The same study shows that women with bipolar II disorder are significantly more likely to deal with rapid periods of cycling than men with the same condition. The other findings show that women with bipolar disorder have more depressive episodes or more mixed episodes than men.
Bipolar disorder is a leading cause of disability worldwide. The condition results in 9.2 total years of reduced life span. As many as one in five people struggling with bipolar will complete suicide.
Fortunately, bipolar is a treatable disorder with the right therapies and medications. Those who take charge of their condition can lead a happy and healthy life. Let’s take a look into what bipolar is and how it’s treated.
Bipolar disorder is usually called manic-depressive illness. It is a brain disorder that produces unusual shifts in energy, mood, and levels of activity. It also affects someone’s ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. There are four types of bipolar disorder, and all of them involve evident changes in energy, mood, and activity levels. The moods range from periods of extraordinarily elated or energized behavior to very sad or hopeless periods. The less severe manic periods are referred to as hypomanic episodes.
The four types of bipolar go as follows:
A proper diagnosis is the only way to determine if you are struggling with bipolar disorder. You must speak with a doctor or licensed mental health professional to rule out any other conditions. You will likely be referred to a psychiatrist who is experienced in treating bipolar disorder.
If you are struggling with bipolar disorder, you must be treated on an ongoing basis. You must be visiting a mental health professional regularly, even if you are feeling fine. Treatment will include a combination of talk therapy and medication.
Psychiatrists recommend medications as your initial treatment to control symptoms immediately. Once the symptoms are under control, you will receive maintenance treatment that reduces the risk of relapse. The treatment will also reduce your chances of minor shifts in mood that develop into depression or mania.
There are many medications used to treat bipolar disorder, which include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and anti-anxiety drugs. Your physician may prescribe one or a combination of medicines for maximum relief. It may take up to eight weeks before you feel relief, and during this time, only one medication will be changed. It helps your doctor monitor and identify what isn’t working.
The following medications are used to treat bipolar disorder:
If you feel that you may be struggling with bipolar disorder, you must seek help immediately. You can get on the road to a healthy and normal life with the right treatment.
Bipolar Disorder Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-disorder-statistics/
Bipolar disorder. (2018, January 31). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955
Bipolar Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml