Bipolar disorder, known formerly as manic depression, is a mental disorder that is difficult for even professionals to identify, but is characterised by moods that alternate from feelings of high-flying euphoria to dismal lows. The highs are mania, the lows, depression; hence the origin of the old name. Regardless of the name changing the condition itself has remained the same over centuries. Either way, the main indicator is both types of mood extremes occurring to some degree. Episodes vary from very brief, wherein they have expired after only hours, to longer phases encompassing weeks or even months.

People with bipolar disorder do not all experience these moods in the same manner or degree, the so there is variation in the variables that have become the basis for establishing illness categories. What is more, since changing emotions are integral to everyone’s personality, this disorder can sometimes go unrecognized and thus, untreated. With some insight into symptoms, however, and their effects on everyday life, bipolar disorder, which plagues children as well as adults, can be demystified.

Knowledge is the route to inner peace

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a complex illness. Thus, it has become clear that a one-size-fits-all description does not apply. Instead, different types of bipolar disorder have been identified.

The first, bipolar I disorder, is considered classic and involves at least one manic episode in life. During this time, there is an abnormally elevated mood with extremes of behavior that disrupt daily life. There is also likely to be depression, and often there are both manic and depressive episodes of varying lengths.

Bipolar II disorder has been shown to be similar, except somewhat milder. The manic episodes are less severe than in type I, while the depressive episodes are much the same. The moods cycle between high and low over time. Moreover, the high moods do not ever reach full-blown mania, but more of a hypomania that alternates with depression. Hypomania is a state of mind involving excessive energy and persistent elevated or irritable mood, overall considered less severe than mania.

There is also mixed bipolar disorder, when mania and depression occur simultaneously. While experiencing feelings of grandeur and high levels of energy, there is also accompanying irritability, anger, moodiness and bad feelings. It can be a very dangerous, difficult, mix.

Another form of the disorder, more likely to affect women than men, is rapid cycling. It is characterized by four or more manic or depressive episodes in a year, and affects ten to twenty percent of bipolar cases.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder In Adults, Teens

Illness symptoms are divided according to the phase being experienced. Adults in a manic phase have symptoms including an exaggerated opinion of their own importance, a positive outlook that is unrealistic, and not much need for sleep. Appetite may be poor, accompanied by weight loss, while fast speech, impulsive behavior and soaring ideas dominate. The ideas can quickly move from subject to subject, and there is decreased concentration, high distractibility. Elevated activity levels, involvement with pleasurable activities, unreasonable spending and poor financial decisions, excessive irritability and behavior that is aggressive, obnoxious, are other symptoms.

During an adult’s depressed phase, the symptoms are fewer but, in most ways, opposite. These include feelings of sadness, a hopeless outlook, little interest in pleasurable or typical activities, and great difficultly sleeping, often awakening in the early morning. Low self-esteem, guilt, lethargy and reduced energy, weight gain or loss, and difficulty concentrating may occur, as may negative thoughts concerning the future. Talking of suicide, death is not unusual.

Children and teenagers with early-onset bipolar disorder have, in general, more severe symptoms than adults. Thus, there are more frequent mood swings, the highs and lows of which are also more severe. Additionally, they feel sick more often than adults. Also important for parents suspecting symptoms of bipolar disorder in teenagers is that young people might experience more thoughts of and attempts at suicide than others.

How to Diagnose Bipolar Disorder

Diagnosing bipolar disorder involves careful evaluation. Symptom length, severity, and frequency must be documented. However, record keeping is only one component of diagnosis; it is only complete with face-to-face interviews and evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health professional. So far, there are no blood or biological tests to indicate bipolar disorder. However, doctors have made great progress in making accurate diagnoses.

Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

The best treatment for bipolar disorder is a combined approach, utilizing both medication and counseling. Mania symptoms are treated with one set of drugs, while others are used for depression. There are also drugs to help with the maintenance of a steady mood over time. Additionally, patients can better cope with their illness through utilizing psychotherapy or talk therapy. This enables discussing thoughts, behaviors, and feelings causing personal problems.

While the exact causes of bipolar disorder are unknown, genetics, neurochemical and environmental factors may play a role in this illness that clearly does not wear one face. While everyone experiences emotions, it is important to distinguish that the swinging, often long-lasting mood extremes characterizing this disorder severely compromise the ability to cope with daily life and relationships. Thus, better-than-ever methods of diagnosis, as well as a variety of treatment drugs and therapies, promise that bipolar disorder can be successfully managed, whether manifesting itself in adults or teens.

Celebrities Who Have Bipolar Disorder

There are many celebrities who have the condition as well as many historical figures who are suspected to have had it. Stephen Fry, is one very high profile celebrity who has it. Many will recognize for his role in V for Vendetta as the ill fated but likeable TV Producer who takes in Evey Hammond and looks after her while she’s on the run. He also presented a documentary about the condition for the BBC. Robert Downey Junior who has appeared in many movies from Iron Man to Sherlock Holmes also has the condition. There are many other celebrities who have it including; Catherine Zeta-Jones , Marilyn Monroe, Sinead O’Connor, Carrie Fisher, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Linda Hamilton, Mel Gibson, Ozzy Osbourne, Axl Rose, Frank Bruno. There are also many historical figures who are suspected to have had it, indeed too many to begin listing them!

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