By Kathy Watt
GVSU Family Health Center Nurse Practitioner
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a chemical disorder within the brain that causes dramatic shifts in mood, energy, and ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
There are different categories of bipolar: individuals with bipolar I disorder have episodes of sustained mania and often experience depressive episodes; individuals with bipolar II disorder have one or more major depressive episodes with at least one period of a less severe manic episode.
There are additional categories of bipolar disorder that are characterized by the severity and length of manic and depressive symptoms.
Bipolar episodes are destructive to the life of the sufferer as well as those around them.
These symptoms can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide.
Individuals with this illness often abuse substances or get into legal trouble.
Some individuals display symptoms during childhood while others may develop symptoms late in life, although it frequently develops during late teens to early adult years.
The disorder is often misdiagnosed for other medical or psychological disorders, such as thyroid disease, a metabolic disturbance, or medication induced mood symptoms.
It can also co-occur with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder as well as many other physiological and psychological disorders.
The characteristics of manic phase may be mild or extreme. It is often difficult to differentiate it from other physical or psychological problems. During the manic phase, the individual's mood will be elevated, with an inflated sense of self worth and feelings of invincibility.
There is a feeling of creativity and one is highly energized, with a decreased need for sleep. Irritability, arguing and aggressive behavior are common problems. Decision-making is often impaired and major decisions such as quitting a job and/or starting a new business are common. In extreme cases an individual might experience psychosis.
During the depressive phase, individuals will experience sadness, guilt and shame.
They will often feel helpless with apathy toward life. Eating and sleeping disturbances often occur.
Individuals with bipolar disorder need to be especially careful to set limits for themselves. It is important to keep a regular routine, such as eating meals at the same time and going to sleep at the same time every night.
It is very useful to learn about triggers and warning signs signaling a shift into depression or mania. For example, excess stimulation such as parties, alcohol, drugs, stressful family situations and most importantly lack of sleep can trigger a swing toward depression or mania.
As such, it is extremely important to get enough sleep and to stay on prescribed medications.