Millions of children and adults worldwide suffer from bipolar disorder (previously also known as manic depression). Unfortunately, many people do not understand that it is a very serious disease and therefore not something that should be stigmatised. Famous people such as Ludwig von Beethoven, Vincent van Gogh and Edgar Allen Poe suffered from bipolar disorder, but lived creatively.

Definition

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that affects a person’s ability to regulate his or her moods. It is primarily caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, but the illness is also influenced by genetic, environmental and other factors.

Bipolar disorder is a complex illness that affects many people and it can lead to considerable problems in a person’s life; especially if it is not being treated properly. People with bipolar disorder are often seen as moody, unrestrained, lazy, demanding or, at worst, clinically insane.

These symptoms should be fairly noticeable to those who live closely with someone with this disease, since a person with constantly changing moods can be very difficult to live with. Nevertheless, people with bipolar disorder cannot control these mood swings, even if they are aware of it themselves. Therefore, extensive treatment is required to help them better understand and manage the illness.

Bipolar disorder was previously also known as manic depression because a person’s mood rapidly alters between extreme highs (mania) and extreme lows (depression). One can literally imagine it to be a constant swinging between these two poles.

Causes

As yet it remains unclear what precisely causes bipolar disorder. However, it appears that a combination of biological, genetic and environmental factors triggers a chemical imbalance in the brain. Among the biological factors observed in bipolar disorder, detected by using scans and other tests, are the following:

    • Excessive discharge of cortisol, a stress hormone
    • Excessive influx of calcium into brain cells
    • Abnormal hyperactivity in parts of the brain associated with emotion and movement coordination and low activity in parts of the brain associated with concentration, attention, inhibition and judgement.

One interesting theory suggests that people with bipolar disorder have a super-fast biological clock, which is in fact a tiny cluster of nerves called the suprachiasmatic nucleus. It is located in the hypothalamus (the centre of the brain) and it regulates a person’s normal rhythm, his or her daily cycle of life, which influences sleeping and waking.

Symptoms

The symptoms of bipolar disorder are divided in two categories, namely manic and depression.

Symptoms of manic behaviour (the highs)

    • Increased physical and mental activity and energy (hyperactivity) – scheduling more events in a day than can be accomplished; inability to relax or sit still.
    • Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and self-confidence (a sensation of sheer and utter happiness that nothing not even bad news or a horrifying event or tragedy can change).
    • Invincibility – the person feels that nothing can prevent him or her from accomplishing any task.
    • Excessive irritability and aggressive behaviour.
    • Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue.
    • Pretentious delusions, inflated sense of self-importance (e.g. individuals imagine that they have special connections with God, celebrities or political leaders)
    • Racing speech, racing thoughts, flighty ideas (ideas that abruptly change from topic to topic expressed in loud, rapid speech that becomes increasingly incoherent)
    • Impulsiveness, poor judgment and/or distractibility
    • Reckless or risky behaviour (reckless driving, outlandish spending sprees, foolish business investments, or out-of-character sexual behaviour)
    • In the most severe cases, delusions and hallucinations.

Symptoms of depression (the lows)

    • Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells (the person feels helpless, hopeless and worthless)
    • Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns (either noticeable increase in appetite or a substantial weight loss unrelated to dieting; either sleeping too much or not at all).
    • Irritability, anger, worry, agitation and/or anxiety.
    • Pessimistic and apathetic attitude.
    • Recurring thoughts of death or suicide.
    • Loss of energy and persistent weariness.
    • Feelings of guilt and worthlessness.
    • Inability to concentrate and indecisiveness.
    • Inability to take pleasure in former interests and/or social withdrawal.
    • Unexplained aches and pains.

Treatment

Bipolar disorder requires long-term treatment. Since it is a chronic and recurring illness, it is important to continue treatment even when the person feels better or cured. Most people with bipolar disorder need daily medication to prevent new episodes and stay symptom-free.

There is more to treatment than medication. Medication alone is usually not enough to fully control the symptoms of this disorder. The most effective treatment strategy involves a combination of medication, therapy, lifestyle changes and social and family support.

It is best to work with an experienced psychiatrist. Bipolar disorder is a complex and trying condition. Diagnosis can be tricky and treatment is often difficult. For safety reasons, medication should be closely monitored. A psychiatrist who is skilled in bipolar disorder treatment can help the sufferer navigate through the twists and turns that this disorder causes.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EWP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about bipolar disorder.

Written by LifeAssist