Bipolar disorder is a serious brain disorder marked by alternating periods of euphoria and depression. The National Institute of Mental Health explains what the two types of episodes a person with bipolar disorder can have. A manic episode is when they feel very happy and "up," and are much more energetic and active than usual. A depressive episode is when the person that suffers from bipolar disorder feels very sad and "down," have low energy, and are much less active. "The mood swings are more extreme than that and are accompanied by changes in sleep, energy level, and the ability to think clearly." NIMH is comparing normal mood swings and bipolar mood swings to help explain the severity.
"Bipolar symptoms are so strong that they can damage relationships and make it hard to go to school or keep a job." This is said to be true because people with bipolar disorder often try to hurt themselves and or attempt suicide. According to WebMD, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are uncharacteristic periods of anger and aggression, grandiosity and overconfidence, easy tear-fullness or frequent sadness, needing little sleep to feel rested, uncharacteristic impulsive disorder, moodiness and confusion and inattention.
Mayo Clinic wrote an article on The DSM-5, published by the American Psychiatric Association, where they go into detail on the different types of bipolar disorders. For bipolar 1 disorder, "you've had at least one manic episode. The manic episode may be preceded by or followed by hypo-manic or major depressive episodes. Mania symptoms cause significant impairment in your life and may require hospitalization or trigger a break from reality." Bipolar 2 disorder is when "you've had at least one major depressive episode lasting at least two weeks and at least one hypo-manic episode lasting at least four days, but you've never had a manic episode. Major depressive episodes or the unpredictable changes in mood and behavior can cause distress or difficulty in areas of your life." Cyclothymic disorder is when "you've had at least two years-or one year in children and teenagers- of numerous periods of hypo-mania symptoms (less severe than a hypo-manic episode) and periods of depressive symptoms (less severe than a major depressive episode). During that time, symptoms occur at least half the time and never go away for more than two months. Symptoms cause significant distress in important areas of your life." All three of these diagnosis' are different. "Bipolar 2 is not a milder form of bipolar 1, but a separate diagnosis. While the manic episodes of bipolar 1 disorder can be severe and dangerous, individuals with bipolar 2 disorder can be depressed for longer periods, which can cause significant impairment." All of the different diagnosis have specific characteristics that help doctors and therapists diagnose their patients that suffer from bipolar disorder.
There is treatment for bipolar disorder, but it can't cure the disorder. The treatment reduces the symptoms and allows for the person affected with bipolar disorder to carry on living their life like some that doesn't suffer from this disorder. There are many therapy session someone suffering from bipolar disorder can go to. Support groups are people that suffer from the same thing allowing other people to learn from their mistakes. Cognitive behavior therapy is focused on negative thoughts, behaviors, and emotional responses. Psychotherapy is the treatment of mental and behavioral disorders through talk therapy. There is also medications that can help reduce the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Anti-psychotics reduce or improves the symptoms of certain conditions. There is also selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) which eases symptoms of depressed mood and anxiety.
There is always help out there, whether you want it or not. Someone in a community close to yours could be going through the same thing and the people affected might never know until they find help. Help is not a bad thing. Asking for help shows that you are strong and that you are ready to take back your life. If you know someone or you think you might have bipolar disorder please either help them find help or talk to someone that can find either you or them the help needed. There are therapists all over the world that can properly diagnose the disorder, so you aren't left in the dark thinking you have something you don't.
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