What Is Bipolar Affective Disorder
Bipolar Affective Disorder is a brain disorder whose symptoms are characterized by intense mood swings from a feeling of mania (an extremely exaggerated feeling of stimulation, and well being), to intense depression ( a feeling of overwhelming sadness, low self worth, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts). Symptoms of the mood disorder usually start appearing around the mid twenties for adults, and it seems to affect men and women equally. Children are rarely affected, but they are more likely to have bipolar affective disorder if someone in their family has it.
There are two main types of bipolar affective disorder. The first is Bipolar l, which displays less obvious episodes of depression, and more episodes of extreme mania. The second type is Bipolar ll, in which the symptoms tend to be dominated by constant depression and few episodes of mania, rather than going back and forth between episodes of depression and mania. Whichever type of bipolar affective disorder one has, it has been made medically clear that the disorder prevents the person’s ability to maintain social and occupational success in his or her life. The symptoms that the person has to deal with and over come are often debilitating, and needs constant medical and psychological help.
There are several symptoms of bipolar affective disorder. The ones associated with depression may include a loss of energy and extreme fatigue, sleep problems, constant sad mood, unexplained weight gain, or loss, difficulty concentrating and making decisions, low self esteem, and a loss of interest in hobbies and usual life pleasures.
The symptoms associated with mania may include a decreased need for sleep, a need to talk more than usual, and rapid speech, racing thoughts, sometime faster than can be kept up with, grand ideas, unrealistic big plans, feeling godlike, or like a celebrity. Hallucinations, hearing voices or seeing visions, trouble staying focused, and being distracted easily are all symptoms of mania.
The causes of bipolar affective disorder are not clearly understood. Genetic abnormalities play a part, as well as a chemical imbalance in one’s brain. A diagnosis of the disorder by a physician is made by the patient’s description of their symptoms and episodes. A family medical history will be taken, and questions asked about any mental illnesses or mood disorders will be taken into account. There is no blood test that can be taken at this point in time to help in the diagnosis.
After a diagnosis has been made, the patient will need regular appointments with a psychiatrist and a physician so that constant monitoring of moods and symptoms can be made. There is no cure for bipolar affective disorder, but with the medication that is available and constant communication with a therapist, the symptoms and episodes can be minimized so that they are of little disruption to a person’s daily life. |