WHAT IS BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Bipolar Disorder, also known as mania-depressive illness, is a very common brain disorder. Having this disorder results in unexpected changes in one's mood, energy and activity levels and the ability to do everyday tasks. While it is possible to be diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder as a child, this illness usually develops in late teen and early adult years, most commonly before age 25. This is a very serious and long-term illness that requires great care and management throughout a lifetime.
Bipolar Disorder, also known as mania-depressive illness, is a very common brain disorder. Having this disorder results in unexpected changes in one's mood, energy and activity levels and the ability to do everyday tasks. While it is possible to be diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder as a child, this illness usually develops in late teen and early adult years, most commonly before age 25. This is a very serious and long-term illness that requires great care and management throughout a lifetime.
CAUSES
There is no definite cause of Bipolar Disorder. It is not something that can be diagnosed after taking a blood test or doing a brain scan. Some doctors and scientists believe that it has something to do with genetics and can be passed down from generation to generation. However, they do not know which gene or series of genes would cause this disorder in a person. Others believe that it is an underlying defect in brain circuitry in the areas of the brain that control a person's mood, thoughts and behaviors. Until there is a definite answer on what exactly causes Bipolar Disorder, if there ever is one, diagnosis will depend on whether or not a person has multiple symptoms of the disorder.
There is no definite cause of Bipolar Disorder. It is not something that can be diagnosed after taking a blood test or doing a brain scan. Some doctors and scientists believe that it has something to do with genetics and can be passed down from generation to generation. However, they do not know which gene or series of genes would cause this disorder in a person. Others believe that it is an underlying defect in brain circuitry in the areas of the brain that control a person's mood, thoughts and behaviors. Until there is a definite answer on what exactly causes Bipolar Disorder, if there ever is one, diagnosis will depend on whether or not a person has multiple symptoms of the disorder.
SYMPTOMS
The defining symptom of Bipolar Disorder is alternating cycles of mania, excessive excitement and energy, and depression, feeling sad, hopeless and unimportant. Between these two forms of Bipolar Disorder, there are many different symptoms. One very common symptom of Bipolar Disorder in the manic phase is a drastic change in energy and a loss of need for sleep. People with Bipolar Disorder may not be able or choose not to sleep because the constantly feel so energetic. In the depressive phase, the person suffering from the disorder will feel so worthless that they will contemplate suicide. Other symptoms include being easily distracted (manic), alcohol or drug abuse (manic), extreme fatigue (depressive) and food issues resulting in extreme weight loss or weight gain (depressive).
The defining symptom of Bipolar Disorder is alternating cycles of mania, excessive excitement and energy, and depression, feeling sad, hopeless and unimportant. Between these two forms of Bipolar Disorder, there are many different symptoms. One very common symptom of Bipolar Disorder in the manic phase is a drastic change in energy and a loss of need for sleep. People with Bipolar Disorder may not be able or choose not to sleep because the constantly feel so energetic. In the depressive phase, the person suffering from the disorder will feel so worthless that they will contemplate suicide. Other symptoms include being easily distracted (manic), alcohol or drug abuse (manic), extreme fatigue (depressive) and food issues resulting in extreme weight loss or weight gain (depressive).
TREATMENT OPTIONS
There is no treatment for Bipolar Disorder and you cannot be cured of it. However, there are medications called mood stabilizers one can take to help manage their symptoms. There are different medications for the two different phases of Bipolar Disorder. For those in the mania phase, common medications are Lithium, Depakote, and Tegretol. There are also anti-psychotic medications and tranquilizers available. The medication, Lithium, will also help someone in the depressive phase. Other medications available for this phase include anti-depressants and anti-convulsive medications such as Latuda, Seroquel and Symbyax. If the medications do not work, some doctors have been known to do shock therapy for any patient who wants it. On top of any medication, for manic or depressive phases of Bipolar Disorder, psychological treatment such as therapy is also helpful and very common.
There is no treatment for Bipolar Disorder and you cannot be cured of it. However, there are medications called mood stabilizers one can take to help manage their symptoms. There are different medications for the two different phases of Bipolar Disorder. For those in the mania phase, common medications are Lithium, Depakote, and Tegretol. There are also anti-psychotic medications and tranquilizers available. The medication, Lithium, will also help someone in the depressive phase. Other medications available for this phase include anti-depressants and anti-convulsive medications such as Latuda, Seroquel and Symbyax. If the medications do not work, some doctors have been known to do shock therapy for any patient who wants it. On top of any medication, for manic or depressive phases of Bipolar Disorder, psychological treatment such as therapy is also helpful and very common.
CHILDREN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER
Being hyper, running around and learning troubles all used to be common behaviors in young children. Today, however, they are seen as symptoms of Bipolar Disorder. According to noted psychiatrist and Psychology Today blogger, Stuart Kaplan, M.D., there has been a 400% increase in doctors diagnosing young children with Bipolar Disorder. This disorder in young children is most likely due to previous diagnosis' such as ADD, ADHD, ODD and PDD. When children are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, they are given very serious mood stabilizing medication that could potentially be too strong for some adults. There are many theories as to why this disorder is becoming so popular in children. Is it a way for pharmaceutical companies to sell more products, a way for children psychiatrists to make more money or simply just a fad? These are few examples of what people think the reason behind all of this is. If a doctor diagnoses your child with Bipolar Disorder, it is in your and your child's best interest to get a second opinion. There is no reason to put your child on a medication he or she doesn't need and for them to think that there is something wrong with them when in reality, there isn't.
Being hyper, running around and learning troubles all used to be common behaviors in young children. Today, however, they are seen as symptoms of Bipolar Disorder. According to noted psychiatrist and Psychology Today blogger, Stuart Kaplan, M.D., there has been a 400% increase in doctors diagnosing young children with Bipolar Disorder. This disorder in young children is most likely due to previous diagnosis' such as ADD, ADHD, ODD and PDD. When children are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, they are given very serious mood stabilizing medication that could potentially be too strong for some adults. There are many theories as to why this disorder is becoming so popular in children. Is it a way for pharmaceutical companies to sell more products, a way for children psychiatrists to make more money or simply just a fad? These are few examples of what people think the reason behind all of this is. If a doctor diagnoses your child with Bipolar Disorder, it is in your and your child's best interest to get a second opinion. There is no reason to put your child on a medication he or she doesn't need and for them to think that there is something wrong with them when in reality, there isn't.
LINKS
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml
http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/frequently-asked-questions-about-bipolar-disorder
http://bbrfoundation.org/frequently-asked-questions-about-bipolar-disorder?gclid=CNOj6KvHt7sCFbQWMgod8yYAew
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/do-the-right-thing/201106/children-bipolar-disorder-really
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml
http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/frequently-asked-questions-about-bipolar-disorder
http://bbrfoundation.org/frequently-asked-questions-about-bipolar-disorder?gclid=CNOj6KvHt7sCFbQWMgod8yYAew
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/do-the-right-thing/201106/children-bipolar-disorder-really
Sierra Giles