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Bipolar disorder, formerly referred to as manic-depression, is marked by the
occurrence of mania (euphoria) alternating with bouts of depression. Bipolar disorder is
characterized by changes from one extreme mood to its polar opposite -- for instance,
from depression to the euphoric or grandiose state known as mania.
Severe episodes of mania or depression may include symptoms of psychosis (or psychotic symptoms). For this reason, people with bipolar disorder are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as having schizophrenia, another severe mental illness. Common psychotic symptoms of bipolar disorder are hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or otherwise sensing the presence of things not actually there) and delusions (false, strongly held beliefs not influenced by logical reasoning or explained by a person's cultural beliefs). Psychotic symptoms in bipolar disorder tend to reflect the extreme mood state at the time. For example, during a manic bipolar state, a person may experience delusions of grandiosity, such as believing one has special powers, position, or wealth; a person in a depressed bipolar state may experience delusions of guilt or worthlessness, such as believing that one is penniless or has committed some terrible crime. Thus, people with bipolar disorder may feel suicidal when depressed, and may engage in risky or self-destructive behavior such as spending large amounts of money, compulsive gambling, etc., when manic. It may be helpful to think of the various mood states in bipolar disorder as a spectrum. At one end is severe depression, above which is moderate depression, and then mild low mood (mild low mood is often called "the blues" when it is short-lived, but is termed dysthymia when it is chronic). Then there is a normal or balanced mood, above which comes hypomania (mild to moderate mania), and then severe mania. Bipolar disorder typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood and continues throughout life. Bipolar is often not recognized at first as a serious disorder, and people who have it may suffer needlessly for years or even decades until a proper diagnosis is made. Left untreated, bipolar disorder can have a devastating, negative impact on every aspect of a person's work, family, and social life. People with a family history and genetic background that includes bipolar disorder are at increased risk of developing this condition in their lifetime. Today, much more is known about the causes and treatment of bipolar disorder. It cannot be emphasized enough that bipolar disorder is not a character flaw, but a serious medical condition. However, contrary to the popular misconceptions about bipolar disorder today, it is not a purely biochemical (physical) disorder, and cannot be successfully treated with prescription drugs alone. There are biological and psychological components to every bipolar disorder, and the best form of treatment for bipolar patients is a combination of medication and psychotherapy. With the proper treatment, bipolar disorder can be effectively managed, and patients can go on to lead a normal life. |
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