Bipolar Disorder
Collin Dunson Health-2 March 4, 2016
Slogan
"When you are happy, you enjoy the music. But, when you are sad, you understand the lyrics."
Definition
Bipolar Disorder, also known as Manic depression, is a mental illness characterized by dramatic mood swings that range from extreme euphoria to deep depression.
Backround
There are three types of Bipolar Disorder
- Bipolar 1- most common, severe mood swings mania for weeks, depression for 6 months to a year
- Bipolar 2-long periods of depression, lesser form of mania
- Bipolar 3-also called Cyclothymic Disorder, this form has only minor mood swings
Symptoms
Symptoms of manic and hypomanic episodes
- Unusual talkativeness
- Racing thoughts
- Distractibility
- Inflated self-esteem
Symptoms
Symptoms of depression
- sleeping excessively
- significant weight loss
- fatigue or loss of energy
What is bipolar disorder?
Causes
Bipolar Disorder is inherited from the person's parents. It is caused by chemical imbalances in the brains and body that are located in hormones and neurotransmitters. Examples of glands that produce these hormones are the Thyroid gland, which is at the base of your neck and helps produce energy. Too much thyroxin and the person becomes manic , not enough thyroxin and the person gets depression. Also adrenaline balances affect the person's mood too.
Tendencies
Half of the patients begin seeing symptoms between the age of 15 to 25, but it can happen at any time. It also affects both genders equally.
Treatments
There is currently no cure, but there are many affective treatments. These include mood stabilizing drugs, psychotherapy, and other forms of counseling. These treatments allow people to better cope with the disorder and live their lives as normal as possible.
Agencies
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
- 55 E. Jackson Blvd, Suite 490 Chicago, Illinois 60604
- (800) 826-3632
- http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home
The International Society for Bipolar Disorder
- 7168 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 United States of America
- (412) 624-4407
- http://www.isbd.org/
National Alliance on Mental Illness
- 3803 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100 Arlington, VA 22203
- 703-524-7600
- http://www.nami.org/#