BIPOLAR DISORDER.
Dr. Anshul Mahajan
Bipolar disorder is a psychological disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. The disorder persists from days to weeks or longer, and can be dramatic, with periods of being overly high and/or irritable to periods of persistent sadness and hopelessness.
Severe changes in behaviour go along with the mood changes. These periods of highs and lows, called episodes of mania and depression, can be distinct episodes often recurring over time, or they may occur together in a so-called mixed state. Often people with bipolar disorder experience periods of normal mood in between mood episodes.
A manic episode is diagnosed if an elevated mood occurs with three or more primary symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least one week. With an irritable mood, four additional symptoms must be present for a diagnosis.
Signs and symptoms of a manic episode can include the following:
• Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
• Excessively high, overly good, euphoric mood
• Extreme irritability
• Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
• Distractibility, inability to concentrate well
• Little sleep needed
• Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
• Poor judgment
• Spending sprees
• A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
• Increased sexual drive
• Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
• Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
• Denial that anything is wrong
A depressive episode is diagnosed if five or more primary depressive symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of two weeks or longer.
Signs and symptoms of a depressive episode can include the following:
• Lasting sad or empty mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
• Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Restlessness or irritability
• Sleeping too much, or having trouble sleeping
• Change in appetite or unintended weight loss or gain
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or
• Suicide attempts
It can be helpful to think of bipolar disorder as a spectrum of moods.
Treatment
With the help of medicine and counselling it can be preventing.
For help, Contact Manas Hospital, Ludhiana 0161-4084666