Type Of Bipolar Mood Disorder

By Anne Durrell

Bipolar disorder is also called BPD or perhaps called manic depression and it is a disorder that is known by extreme mood shifts. Mood swings occur in most people; but, an individual with bipolar disorder suffers from extreme conditions of both major depression and intense elation as well as over optimism.

This is dangerous since the depression may be so extreme they cannot function normally during those cycles and also think about or even act out suicidal thoughts. However, the excited (upswing) can lead to dangerous behavior such as over spending, and activities they may not otherwise engage in.

Many persons with bipolar mood disorder will also have periods of normalcy between the moodiness where they function and come to feel much as everybody else. Some persons that have BPD may experience mood swings more often and of shorter duration and others could have longer periods of both moods.

BPD might begin as early as the teen years but diagnosis may be delayed as the mood swings could be ignored as being typical teen moodiness or even caused by ADHD. By the age of 25, the symptoms become more distinct and a diagnosis is made easier.

Complicating a proper diagnosis of bipolar disorder is the fact a person might have mixed states with symptoms of both manic and depressive states existing at the same time.

The causes of BPD are not known, some scientists suggest there might be a genetic link but study results are not consistent. Even so, people who go on to have bipolar disorder may well exhibit symptoms in childhood. Based on some research the symptoms tend to be so subtle as to be very easily mistaken for standard behavior or even another issue like ADHD.

Older people suffering from bipolar disorder could have issues in many areas of their life. The high intervals cause them to be overly optimistic, engage in risk taking behavior, as well as become financially indiscreet or sexually promiscuous. These issues could be never-ending.

During periods of depression, the individual struggling with BPD may not be in a position to function or to keep a job. Committing suicide is a danger also.

There's quite a few medications that may be used to care for BPD. The explanation for that is that although some drugs work on some, other people show absolutely no indications of improvement.

Lithium is the only prescription medication proven to reduce the occurrence of committing suicide in despondent BPD patients. The drug Lamotrigine has been shown to be successful in protecting against depression symptoms in some bipolar sufferers. Antipsychotic drugs might be used to treat agitation of the BPD patient while in the manic phases.

When signs and symptoms are relieved and emotional swings are in remission the patient still must keep on taking the medicine or a relapse is likely. Certain patients with BPD describe the impact of the medication as leading them to feel dull or drugged. This complicates medication compliance among sufferers having BPD.

There are effective treatment options for persons with bipolar disorder and mood stabilizers can be a main portion of the treatment plan to help stabilize the person with bipolar disorder. Because the moodiness could be so harmful to personal relationships, financial status and job performance bipolar disorder is dealt with aggressively in most cases. - 31520

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