Bipolar Treatment – General Bipolar Information
Posted by Charles Kelley
For the average person, it is normal to experience ups-and-downs, good days and bad days and the occasional ‘I should never have gotten out of bed day’ but as general idea or rule, it is important to retain an inner calm or a middle ground to which we always return, our normal self. The following bipolar information details how differently the day to day life is of someone who is suffering from this disorder.
Individuals with bipolar disorder experience extreme fluctuations in their mood. They often find that they lose their inner balance, and instead, they find themselves at the far end of the emotional scale.
They may even find themselves alternating between a moment of time when they feel elated – on top of the world – as if anything is possible and a moment of deep despairing depression that leaves them shut up in their bedroom, lying in their bed for weeks and unable to do the normal day-to-day tasks they’re used to doing.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder differ widely between different people. Some many enter a state of hypomania which is a milder form of mania, while others may have full blown manic periods. These episodes often involve elaborate ideas, an elevated state of happiness and wild plans. For example, a sufferer having a manic episode may max out five credit cars and then start tearing down walls of their house as they plan to turn their two bedroom terraced cottage into a modern 100% glass mansion.
At the time of having a manic episode, these quite clearly irrational ideas seem possible and the sufferer will believe that their ideas will lead to success and fortune. People will bipolar disorder may have a contagious optimism where is life limitless and so is their energy.
Some individuals with bipolar disorder may experience mixed states where the symptoms take the form of great restlessness, agitation and even rage. But, what goes up must come down and, as a result of all these highs, these manic episodes are often followed by long periods of deep depression, as the individual comes down from their high.
This bipolar information should provide much insight into the disease that cripples so many.
Bipolar Treatment – Side Effects in the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
Posted by Charles Kelley
Prescribed medicines used in the treatment of bipolar disorder are effective. However, there are negative effects on the body from bipolar treatment that alarm patients.
According to the FDA, antidepressants are generally safe but some studies suggest that they may have unintentional effects on some people, particularly in adolescents and young adults. It is important to observe patients taking antidepressant drugs closely regardless of age particularly in the first two weeks of treatment for possible side effects. Observe for worsening depression, onset of suicidal thinking or behavior, or any unusual changes in behavior such as sleeplessness, agitation, or withdrawal from normal social functions. The family or caregiver should report any suspicious change in behavior to the patient’ doctor immediately.
If a patient is taking mood-stabilizing drugs like lithium, he can suffer from its common side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, headache, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, mood swings, stuffed or runny nose, or other cold-like symptoms.
Patients taking antipsychotic drugs should refrain from driving because of the following side effects, drowsiness, and dizziness when changing positions, blurred vision, and rapid heartbeat, sensitivity to the sun, skin rashes and menstrual problems for women.
There are rare cases wherein the long-term use of atypical antipsychotic drugs causes tardive dyskinesia or involuntary muscle movement usually around the mouth. In severe cases, patients only partially recover after stopping the drug.
Studies show that patients taking olanzapine, an antipsychotic drug, develops a tendency to gain weight. Side effects like this may increase the risk for diabetes and heart disease.
A patient who develops side effects from medication during bipolar treatment
must tell his doctor about it immediately so that the doctor may alter the dosage or prescribe a different medicine. Under no circumstance should a patient stop his medication because it may lead to a rebound or a dangerous worsening of his condition.
Bipolar Treatment – Recognizing and Understanding the Different Types of Bipolar Disorder
Posted by Charles Kelley
One of the toughest parts of proper bipolar treatment is actually determining the correct diagnosis. One of the largest reasons for this is the fact that there are several types of bipolar disorder. Also the characteristics of the episodes are so diverse from patient to patient that it could take a long time to determine an actual pattern in which to base a diagnosis on.
The different types of bipolar disorder are characterized by the patterns in the frequency, length, and severity of episodes of depression and/or mania. Determining which type of bipolar disorder is present is necessary to accurately prescribe medication for treatment.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar I Disorder
This form of bipolar disorder is the most severe of all the types. It is characterized by having at least one episode of both mania and depression with each lasting more than a week with little to no break in symptoms. The most extreme cases of mania are found in bipolar I disorder.
Bipolar II Disorder
Unlike Bipolar I, this type of the illness consists of milder episodes of mania, known as hypomania, along with depression. The mania involved here is so mild that it is often overlooked as a problem, and could go unrecognized for quite some time. Long periods of no symptoms often occurs in this form of bipolar disorder.
Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder
This is made up of at least 4 mood episodes in a single year. It is not uncommon for patients with rapid cycling to experience these mood shifts as frequently as weeks or even days. Rapid cycling most commonly develops over time and can occur even after diagnosed with another type of bipolar disorder.
Cyclothimic Disorder
This disorder is characterized by extremely mild episodes of both mania and depression. It is possible for this condition to worsen over time.
Mixed Bipolar Disorder
Mixed Bipolar is determined by experiences of both mania and depression occuring at the same time. A patient with this form would have upshifts in mood and energy with depressive thoughts present, or vice versa. This has a potential to be very dangerous for suffers, as being pulled in both directions at once is such a physical and mental strain, moreso than other forms of bipolar disorder.
Uncatagorized Bipolar Disorder
Uncatagorized is for bipolar suffers whose mood shifts fall into no pattern identifiable with other types of bipolar. This makes bipolar treatment difficult because with most forms you develop a pattern and you tend to become aware of whats coming, but with uncatagorized you are constantly guessing.
Understanding and recognizing the different types of this disorder helps tremendously with bipolar treatment.
Bipolar Treatment – Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Posted by Charles Kelley
Bipolar disorder is characterized by periods of alternating high (manic) and low (depressive) moods. The “mood swings” between mania and depression can come on quickly and without warning, and with many different levels of intensity. There are a wide range of signs and symptoms for each end of the spectrum. This makes bipolar treatment somewhat difficult to get a handle on due the wide variety of each individual case. Recognizing the symptoms is key to understanding how to effectively treat bipolar disorder.
Symptoms
The manic phase of Bipolar disorder may last several days or even months and can include the following symptoms:
- High levels of agitation or irritability
- Elevated mood
- Hyperactivity
- Increased energy
- Lack of self-control
- Racing thoughts
- Inflated self image (delusions of grandeur, false beliefs in special abilities)
- Sleeplessness
- Over-involvement in activities
- Easy loss of temper
- Reckless behavior
- Binge eating, drinking, and/or drug use
- Impaired judgment
- Risky sexual behavior
- Spending sprees
- Inability to focus
The depressive phase of bipolar disorder involves very serious symptoms common to major depression:
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Eating disturbances
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Overeating and weight gain
- Fatigue
- Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and/or guilt
- Loss of self-esteem
- Persistent sadness
- Persistent thoughts of death
- Sleep disturbances
- Excessive sleepiness
- Inability to sleep
- Suicidal thoughts
- Withdrawal from activities that were once enjoyed
- Withdrawal from friends
If you or someone you love is suffering from Bipolar Disorder, it is imperitive that treatment be implemented. Knowing the signs and symptoms early on will give the upper hand in bipolar treatment.
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