What is bipolar disorder?

The world bipolar means two extremes.

For the many millions experiencing bipolar disorder around the world, life is split
between two different realities- elation and depression.
Although there are many variations of bipolar disorder, let's consider a couple.
Type 1 has extreme highs alongside the lows, he tends to move a lot and he can't
control his mood and behaviour.
While type 2 involves briefer, less extreme periods of elation interspersed with long
periods of depression.
For someone seesawing between emotional states, it can feel impossible to find the
balance necessary to lead a healthy life.

The different types of bipolar disorder:

First, is the Major Depressive Disorder (also known as unipolar depression)
It is usually happen in low moods.
Individuals with this can feel hopeless and discouraged, lack of energy and mental
focus and can have physical symptoms like eating and sleeping too much or too little.
Second type, is the Mania Episodes (also known as hypomania episodes)
It is usually happen in high moods.
In a manic state, people can feel energetic overly happy, or optimistic, even euphoric
with really high self-esteem but these symptoms can reach a dangerous extreme like
delusions of grandeur and poor decision.
Other types of Bipolar disorder are Mixed Episodes and Rapid Cycling
Mixed Episodes can experience symptoms of both depression and mania at the same
time. While rapid cycling is a situation where a person has 4 or more episodes or mania
within a given year.

What causes bipolar disorder?

The exact underlying cause of bipolar disorder isn’t known, and there is no single
“bipolar gene” identified, but it’s thought that there are genetic and environmental
factors that play a part.
The factors that affect bipolar disorder:
Environmental factor- People with bipolar disorder appear to have physical changes in
their brains. The significance of these changes is still uncertain but may eventually help
pinpoint causes.
Genetics- Bipolar disorder is more common in people who have a first-degree relative,
such as a sibling or parent, with the condition. Researchers are trying to find genes that
may be involved in causing bipolar disorder.
How to treat bipolar disorder?
Even there is no cure for bipolar disorder, identifying and treating individuals are really
important since there’s a real danger that the person could harm themselves or even
commit suicide.
Treatment for Bipolar disorder
Lithium Salts- A mood stabilizer medication that works in the brain. It is approved for
the treatment of the bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression).
Anti- Depressants- Many experts believe that overtime, antidepressant se in people
with bipolar disorder has a mood destabilizing effect, increasing the frequency of manic
and depressive episodes.
Other way to treat bipolar disorder is through psychological intervention
Psychotherapy, or “talk” therapy, is an important part of treatment for bipolar disorder.
Talk therapy can help you understand and hopefully master any problems that hurt your
ability to function well in your life and career. It also helps you stay on your medication.