Another name for bipolar disorder is manic-depressive illness. It is a psychological disorder that causes deterioration in a person's mood, energy, and ability to complete social activities. Bipolar disorder, which is seen in 1-2% of every 100 people in the society, often occurs between the ages of 15-35 in young adulthood and is seen equally in men and women.
What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?
- Sleep problems (decreased need for sleep)
- very elevated (euphoric) mood
- Increased energy, activities, and restlessness
- decrease in concentration
- increase in sexual desire,
- to spend a lot of money,
- Having unrealistic beliefs about their own abilities
- Decreased reasoning capacity
- Increase in thinking and speaking content,
- Increase in provocative, inappropriate behavior
- Increase in alcohol and substance use
Three or more bipolar symptoms must occur each day and last for a week or longer. Manic episodes begin suddenly and can last for weeks if left untreated. While experiencing a manic episode, the person often does not realize that they are sick or tends to refuse treatment.
What are the parts of bipolar disorder?
Ups and downs that cause dramatic changes in a person's mood are called depressive and manic "attacks." While some people are more prone to depression or mania, some people's symptoms may alternate between two extreme moods. The stages of bipolar disorder are as follows:
- Manic period: It is the period when the person feels excessively energetic, talkative, active, and defines himself as strong.
- Depressive period: It is the period when the person begins to not enjoy life, constantly complains and is unhappy.
- Mixed period: It is the period in which manic and depressive symptoms are seen simultaneously and mixed.
What are the causes of bipolar disorder?
As a result of the researches, it is known that genetic factors are among the causes of bipolar disorder. A stressful life lived by people who are genetically predisposed to bipolar disorder triggers this disease. In addition to genetic predisposition, neurotransmitters that provide brain development and communication between brain cells can also cause bipolar disorder. It is stated that people with a family history of bipolar disorder are more likely to develop bipolar disorder.
What are the risk factors that play a role in the development of bipolar disorder?
- not doing enough physical activity
- bad eating habits
- Side effects of drugs
- business problems
- stressful life
- Changes in the adrenaline, insulin, stress hormone and cortisol systems
- Living in a high crime district
- financial problems
How is bipolar disorder treated? What are the treatment methods?
There are two-stage treatment methods in bipolar treatment: treatment of acute exacerbations and prevention treatment. Treatment of exacerbation in bipolar disorder is the treatment of manic or depressive episodes that the patient experiences from time to time, which modern medicine can successfully treat. With the preventive treatment planned against the risk of recurrence of attacks, it is ensured that the frequency of attacks is reduced and that it is mild and short-lived even if the patient has mania or depression again. Long-term preventive therapy should be continued. In bipolar treatment, the administration of mood stabilizer drugs (bipolar disorder drugs) together with supportive psychotherapy and psychosocial therapies is important in the control of bipolar disease.
