Bipolar Affective Disorder.

What Is Bipolar Disorder? Everyone has ups and downs in their mood. Bipolar disorder is a medical condition Mood swings people have are out of proportion, or unrelated to things going on in their life.

4 It typically manifests itself in adolescence or early adulthood. 4 It is often difficult to diagnose. 4 A number of genes have been identified that may be linked to bipolar disorder.

What is the Cause of Bipolar Disorder? –No single cause has been identified in bipolar disorder. –Research suggests it be inherited. –It is thought to be caused by a lack of stability in the transmission of nerve impulses in the brain.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder. 4 Mania: increased energy and creativity, which easily escalates out of a person’ control.

4 lack of insight 4 they may deny anything is wrong 4 angrily blame others for what is happening 4 feeling unusually “high” 4 needing little sleep

4 talking very fast 4 having racing thoughts 4 being easily distracted 4 having increased feelings of personal power and importance 4 reckless behavior and poor judgement.

4 Hypomania: symptoms are slightly less severe, as is the person’s level of impairment.

4 Depression: 4 feeling sad 4 having to much or to little sleep 4 an increase or decrease in appetite and/or weight 4 problems with concentration

4 feeling slowed down or agitated 4 low self esteem 4 decreased energy 4 increased fatigue 4 possibly thoughts of suicide or death.

4 mixed episode: 4 contains symptoms of both mania and depression.  may present as excitable and agitated as in mania, but feel irritable and depressed.

Patterns of Bipolar Disorder. 4 The pattern of the illness varies quite a bit 4 Men’s first episode tends to be mania, While women tend to have a depressed episode first. 4 mood changes may be mild or very severe.

Treatment of Bipolar Disorder. –Treatment occurs mainly in two phases. –first is the acute phase.(may need hospitalisation) –second phase is Preventative treatment.

4 Medication: 4 Mood stabilizers (Lithium, Epival, Tegretol, etc.) 4 Anti anxiety (Ativan, Valium, etc.) 4 Anti psychotic (Haldol, Risperidone, etc.)  Anti depressants (Prozac, Effexor, etc.)

4 An extremely important part of therapy is good follow up. 4 This includes: 4 working with a doctor 4 keep taking their medication 4 monitor sleep 4 support form family and friends.