Bipolar disorder is a type of brain illness that causes fluctuations in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to do daily activities. People suffering from bipolar illness have strong emotional states that often last for several days to many weeks at a time, which are referred to as mood episodes. These manic/hypomanic episodes (characterized by unusually joyful or irritated mood) or depressed episodes are classified as follows: (sad mood). People who suffer from bipolar illness frequently have periods of neutral mood as well. People who suffer from bipolar illness can live full and productive lives if they receive proper treatment.
Mood swings can occur in people who do not have bipolar illness, as well. These mood swings, on the other hand, generally last only a few hours rather than several days. These alterations are also not often accompanied by the significant degree of behavioral change or difficulties with daily routines and social interactions that persons with bipolar illness experience during mood episodes. Bipolar disorder can interfere with a person’s ability to maintain connections with family and friends, as well as their ability to work or attend school.

Bipolar disorder is a diagnosis category that contains three separate diagnoses: bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder. Bipolar disorder is a category that covers three different diagnoses.
Bipolar disorder is frequently passed down through families: 80 to 90 percent of those who have bipolar disorder or depression have a family who also has bipolar illness or depression. Environmental variables such as stress, sleep disturbance, and the use of drugs and alcohol can cause mood episodes in persons who are particularly sensitive. Though the exact origins of bipolar illness inside the brain are still unknown, it is thought that an imbalance of brain chemicals is responsible for the condition’s dysregulated brain activity. The average age at which the disease first manifests itself is 25 years old.
Anxiety disorders, drug use disorders, and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders are all common among people who have bipolar I disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (ADHD). Individuals suffering from bipolar I illness have a much greater risk of suicide than the overall population, according to research.

Symptoms

Bipolar disorder and associated disorders are classified into various categories. They may include manic or hypomanic episodes, as well as sadness. As a result of the symptoms, people might experience unpredictable changes in mood and behavior, causing substantial distress and trouble in everyday living.

1. Bipolar I disorder (also known as manic depression). A manic episode has occurred at least once in your life, which may have been preceded or followed by hypomanic or severe depressive episodes. In certain situations, mania can result in a disconnection from reality (psychosis).
2. Bipolar II condition (also known as manic depression). At the very least, you’ve experienced a severe depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but you’ve never experienced a manic episode before.
3. Cyclothymic disorder (also known as cyclothymic disorder). At least two years — or one year in the case of adolescents and teens — of several times of hypomania symptoms and periods of depressed symptoms have passed since your last episode (though less severe than major depression).
4. There are more sorts. These include, for example, bipolar and similar disorders that are triggered by specific medications or alcohol or that are caused by a medical condition such as Cushing’s illness, multiple sclerosis, or stroke, among other things.

Unlike bipolar I illness, bipolar II disorder is a distinct diagnosis that cannot be confused with it. However, whereas the manic episodes of bipolar I illness can be severe and even life-threatening, persons with bipolar II disorder can remain depressed for extended periods of time, which can result in considerable disability.
Although bipolar illness can develop at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in adolescents or young adults in their early twenties. A person’s symptoms might differ from another person’s symptoms, and symptoms can change over time.

Causes

Although the precise origin of bipolar disorder is unknown, there is evidence that it is passed down through families (through genetic inheritance).
If you or someone in your family has bipolar disorder, you have a higher probability of having it yourself. Researchers are still trying to determine the exact cause.
As a precautionary measure, we should mention that stressful life events and other variables have been shown to induce bipolar affective illness in certain persons. Stressors such as unemployment, marital issues, examinations, and financial challenges can all pose a threat to certain people’s well-being and safety.
Early trauma (e.g., sorrow, physical or mental abuse, and neglect), physical sickness, lack of sleep, and misuse of alcohol, drugs, and medicines can all be signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a mood condition that affects the brain’s ability to regulate its emotions.

Prevention

There is currently no proven method of preventing bipolar disorder. When a mental health issue manifests itself, seeking therapy as soon as possible will help to avoid bipolar disorder or other mental health conditions from progressing or deteriorating.
In the case that you have been diagnosed with bipolar illness, you can use the following methods to keep mild symptoms from becoming full-blown bouts of mania or depression:

1. Pay attention to any warning signals that may appear. Taking care of symptoms as soon as they appear might help to avoid episodes from becoming worse. It’s possible that you’ve seen a pattern in your bipolar episodes and the things that cause them. If you believe you are experiencing an episode of depression or mania, contact your doctor immediately. Involve family members or acquaintances in the process of spotting danger indicators.
2. Stay away from drugs and alcohol. Using alcoholic beverages or recreational drugs might exacerbate your symptoms and increase the likelihood that they will recur.
3. Follow the directions on your prescription medicine. You may be tempted to discontinue therapy, but resist the temptation. If you stop taking your medicine or reduce your dose on your own, you may have withdrawal symptoms, and your symptoms may worsen or reappear.

READ MORE

What does it mean to have a mental illness and its classification?

How can we determine whether someone has an anxiety condition and what kind it is?