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About Bipolar Disorder |
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Bipolar disorder not only affects 2 million people in the US, but also affects those who care about them. It is a serious lifelong condition that requires the attention of a healthcare professional. While there is no cure for bipolar disorder, there is treatment and there is hope. The key to living a fulfilling life with bipolar disorder is understanding the condition and getting appropriate treatment.
Bipolar disorder can affect anyone, regardless of race, sex, education, occupation, or income. While bipolar disorder typically appears in early adulthood, it can affect people at any age. Some people with bipolar disorder have no family history of the condition. However, heredity (family history) has been identified as a risk factor.
Bipolar disorder is characterized dramatic mood swings. While most people experience ups and downs in their everyday life, people with bipolar disorder suffer from a vicious cycle of dangerous highs called "mania" and debilitating lows known as "depression". During manic episodes, mood soars and the mind races. People with bipolar disorder may overestimate their abilities and that may be followed by a period of depression when just getting out of bed can feel like climbing Mount Everest. Concentrating is extremely difficult and the patient may lose interest in all favorite activities. Some people may even experience a "mixed episode," where symptoms of depression and mania occur at the same time.
The length of a manic or depressive episode can vary and the pattern can change over time – sometimes lasting a few hours or days, other times a few weeks or months. Between episodes, most people with bipolar disorder have periods of relatively normal mood (what doctors call "euthymia").
While stress does not cause bipolar disorder, it can trigger an episode of mania or depression. Additional triggers may include a chronic illness, hormonal changes, drug abuse, lack of sleep, hypothyroidism, antidepressant medications, and life changes such as the loss of a loved one.
The right diagnosis is the first step to getting the best treatment for bipolar disorder. Talking openly with your doctor about all of your symptoms can help your doctor make the right diagnosis and know how best to help you. Treatment for bipolar disorder usually includes medication and psychotherapy. Medication treats the illness directly and psychotherapy helps you to develop the skills you need to manage your condition. In addition to medication and good communication with your healthcare providers there are other steps you can take to help control your symptoms such as counseling sessions/therapy, support groups, and diet and exercise.
This information is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical attention. Anyone who thinks they may have bipolar disorder needs to seek help from a qualified medical professional.
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