More and more often these days, people are hearing the term ‘bipolar’ when addressing behavior problems or issues in friends, acquaintances and family members. The term evokes images of evil behavior in many, while others merely shrug, unaware of what the condition is or how it presents itself in someone’s daily life. Basically, being diagnosed as bipolar is identical to what is now more commonly known as manic depression.

More than two million people within the United States have been diagnosed with a bipolar condition, or disease, one that can affect all social classes and age groups. Older people as well as children can be diagnosed with the mental illness that has the power to damage the professional and private lives of those suffering from mood swings that can range from severely depressed to almost hyperactive euphoria and good will.

While many people suffering from this mental disorder may avoid the deep depressions and manic ‘highs’ of the disease due to proper treatment and medication, thousands of others who have been unable to obtain such treatment suffer from dangerously dehabilitating episodes of depression that threaten relationships, jobs and sometimes, lead to suicide.

Others experiencing the manic side of Bipolar Symptoms may be happy, cheerful and, to all purposes, ‘normal’, while others lose reasoning powers that cause them to make decisions they would not normally make. Many bipolar sufferers, when experiencing the manic phase of the condition, make bad financial investments and decisions that affect them for the rest of their lives.

For some, severe depressions and manic episodes are avoided and lifestyles maintain rather normal behavior patterns and remain undiagnosed. Others, after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, take medications to maintain as normal a lifestyle as possible.

After much research throughout the past few decades, the disorder is now considered to be one that will find a sufferer constantly experiencing one of several ranges of behaviors, from mild to severe. Many patients respond very well to psychotherapy and medications, sometimes a combination of the two.

For those who come from families with a history of the disease, the likelihood that future generations will be diagnosed with the disease increase by more than half. Researchers have been seeking a genetic link to the prevalence of the disease in families, and some progress has been made in studies of gene and myelin development within the central nervous system. Other studies have shown that over one half of patients diagnosed with a bipolar disorder have a history of past substance abuse, especially the use of cocaine.

Left untreated, a diagnosis of a bipolar condition can lead to disrupted lives, feelings of worthlessness, and for many, suicide. Treatment is available and in most cases, helps those diagnosed with the disorder. However, it’s important for family and friends to know and recognize the signs and symptoms of behaviors that may indicate a bipolar condition, since more often than not, the person suffering from the condition is hesitant, and understandably so, to discuss their mental state with others.

Riley Hendersen
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/more-interesting-facts-about-bipolar-144135.html

I was wondering, what are like the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder? I know its like manic and major depression, or there’s another kind? called like bipolar ii or something? like, its hyper manic and just depression? Any details on these? Also, could someone be able to suspect that they are bipolar or have bipolar ii (if that’s what its called)? Thanks in advance!

YOU don’t. A mental health professional does. A person, friend or relative can observe signs and symptoms but should not attempt to diagnose because you WILL get it horribly wrong.

Treating bipolar disease is usually accomplished through a bipolar medication such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants and antipsychotic meds used in combination or alone. Such medications may also be coupled with psychotherapy to provide optimum results.

Because bipolar disorder, also known as bipolar disease or depression, is so difficult to identify and treat, it’s important to know that the disease can strike any gender or age group. Normal high and low moments are experienced on a daily basis by millions of Americans every day, but Bipolar Disorder takes such feelings to an extreme. Ongoing and recurring episodes of both depression and happiness are often the first signs of the disorder, coupled with extreme feelings on both ends of the spectrum.

Mood stabilizing agents are the most common types of bipolar medication treatments. Antidepressants such as Lithium, Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil and Valium are used to treat various levels of depression and offer mood-stabilizing benefits, though in some cases, they can cause mania. For more severe episodes, Haldol or Thorazine are used to control mania. However, such drugs as Haldol and Thorazine, known as neuroeptics, can cause side effects such as muscle spasms, difficulty speaking and tremors.

Lithium is the most commonly prescribed bipolar medication and is used for ongoing treatment, though its full effects may not be experienced for weeks, and sometimes, months. Lithium is also the oldest drug used to treat bipolar disorder. It may take four to ten days to achieve a therapeutic level within the bloodstream, and is not as effective on ‘rapid-cyclers’, or those who experience frequent and chronic episodes of depression coupled with mania. For ‘rapid-cyclers’, a bipolar medication known as Valproate is often prescribed.

In some cases, antipsychotic drugs such as Clozaril have been used as a preventative treatment in some bipolar patients, though it tends to cause a rapid heart rate, hypotension, weight gain and constipation. Risperdal is also a common antipsychotic medication that has been successful when used in low doses, and since 2004, it has become the drug of choice in a vast number of bipolar patients. Side effects associated with Risperdal are mild compared to the side effects of other bipolar medication choices used in the past.

Another antipsychotic drug known as Zyprexa, used in combination with lithium or valproate for severe manic episodes, may cause low blood pressure and dizziness. Another very common antipsychotic known as Seroquel has a long-term mood stabilizing affect, while its side effects may include dizziness and elevated blood sugar levels.

Most bipolar medication antidepressants may cause manic episodes in those suffering from bipolar disorder, so they are used only on a short-term basis. More often, the class of drugs known as Selective Serotonin reuptake Inhibitors, more commonly known as SSRI’s, are prescribed, and include such drugs as the aforementioned Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil anti-anxiety drugs.

The most important aspect of treating bipolar disorder is to first recognize the symptoms of the disease and seek treatment. A doctor will decide which medication is right for each individual. However, it’s good to know that bipolar medication is available which may aid thousands of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder to live relatively happy, normal lives.

Riley Hendersen
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/are-there-bipolar-medication-treatment-options-136982.html

I just found out today that I may have Bipolar Disorder type 2. Now instead of being depressed I am devestated. I am worried my marriage will be in jeopardy. My biggest fear.

I am another person with by-polar disorder. My answer to you is no your marriage is not doomed. But it will take a lot of committment from both of you, and especially from you to learn to control the disorder, through a psychiatrist with medication (which is alot of trial and error, and mental, intellectual, and emotion ajustment on your part which takes time) but the right medication can be found to work for you. Plus use talk-therapy with a professional reputable psychologist. And if you have access to a spiritual guidance counsellor, use that too for yourself, and for your marriage. Your spouse will also need help to know how to help and how to deal with it in a possitive way.
I can promise you, that if you both are willing to invest in your relationship and support each other through this, you will come out stronger, more compassionate, and more whole, than you were before. Life can be wonderful again. I promise.

Very similar to Bipolar Disorder but the highs aren’t as high and the lows aren’t as low. Still functional but very much of an emotional roller coaster. What is it called? What is the treatment? What is the cause? How common is it?

Cyclothymia