Bipolar Disorder
...derate level, which is often called the blues, this is usually short lived, but the term is called “dysthymia” which occurs often. After this stage there is often a normal or balanced mood. This occurrence is the “moderate level, which later will become the serve mania. In some people the symptoms of mania and depression can occur at the same time which is called a mixed bipolar state. The symptoms include agitation, trouble sleeping, and a significant change in appetite. A person may have a very sad, hopeless mood while at the same time feeling very energized. This disorder may appear to be a problem other than recognized as a mental illness. For instance one might think that a person is suffering from a alcohol or drug abuse problem because of poor school or work performance, or trouble with personal relationships. Doctors and researches have not yet found what exactly causes bipolar disorder. A variety of biologic, genetic and environmental factors seem to be involved in causing and triggering episodes of this illness. There is evidence that indicates that there are differences in the chemical messengers between neurotransmitters that occur in people who have this disorder. In a lot of cases people are said to have genetic disposition for the disorder. Bipolar disorder often runs in families. A family history appears to exist in about sixty percent of cases of bipolar disorder. Researchers are trying to identify genes that may make people to susceptible to bipolar disorder. The factors that may trigger episodes or that may influence the occurrence include drug abuse and stressful or traumatic events. There is a lot to be said for the case studies they do have because people with bipolar disorder often don’t recognize how they are effected while they are experiencing a mood episode and how greatly the disorder is affecting there lives and the lives of the people around them. Bipolar disorder isn't an illness that you can treat on your own. But you can do some things for yourself. Medication and psychotherapy are the main treatments for bipolar disorder. Occasionally, doctors use electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Most people with bipolar disorder take medication to regulate their moods. Lithium has been widely used as a mood stabilizer. In April 2002, the American Psychiatric Association suggested using lithium or Lamictal as first-line treatment for people in the acute depressive phase of bipolar disorder who were not already taking a mood stabilizer medication. Also used widely as mood regulators are the anti-seizure medications valproic acid Depakene and divalproex (Depakote). Sometimes, doctors also use antidepressant medications to treat bipolar disorder. These may include paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), sertraline (Zoloft) or bupropion (Wellbutrin), among others. In other circumstances, doctors may use antipsychotic medications such as risperidone (Risperdal), olanzapine (Zyprexa) or quetiapine (Seroquel), among others. According to the American Diabetes Association, certain antipsychotic drugs may increase the risk of diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. A study published in the February 2004 issue of Diabetes Care recommends that doctors screen and monitor people who take Risperdal, Seroquel and Zyprexa for bipolar disorder. You may need to take medications for several weeks before they reach their full effect. Psychotherapy is an approach often used simultaneously with medication. Your therapist will help you detect patterns leading up to episodes of bipolar disorder, trying to identif...