Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes major mood swings. These changes range from profound sadness, to a state of intense euphoria, or to mixed states in which excitement is mixed with feelings of profound sadness.
They are, therefore, pathological mood states that can last for several weeks or months and go far beyond the typical mood swings considered “normal” (i.e., those changes that are reactive to life situations such as: being very sad when a traumatic life event happens or being very happy when we pass an exam or get a job).
Psychiatrists use the word “depression” to describe the phases of deep mood depression seen in bipolar disorder and the word “mania” to describe the phases of euphoria.
There is also a milder form of mania called “hypomania”. But it is important to point out that a person affected by a Bipolar Disorder is not always in a state of “mania” or “depression”. In fact, they are usually in a state of normal mood, which we call “euthymia”.
Symptomatology of Bipolar Disorder
The symptoms that appear will depend on the state of mind of the person suffering from bipolar disorder. Thus, in a depressive episode (during a minimum period of two weeks), there is a depressed mood, a loss of interest in things or an inability to enjoy things that were previously pleasurable.
On the contrary, in a manic episode there is a euphoric mood, with exaggerated self-esteem, rapid speech, decreased need for sleep, hyperactivity and increased energy. The problem is that consequently an increase in high-risk activities, reckless behavior, overspending and even hostile behavior can also occur.
The good news is that once diagnosed with bipolar disorder, all of these negative consequences can be remedied.
Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
The treatment of bipolar disorder is based on four pillars, which in order of importance are: medication, psychoeducation, psychotherapy and, to a lesser extent, self-help.
Thus, medication is a necessary condition for the treatment and stabilization of bipolar disorder. It is understandable that many people are very uneasy about taking drugs that act on the brain.
However, it is important to understand that bipolar disorder is a disorder of the brain, which is where medication must work to get results. Medications for bipolar disorder work by correcting glitches in the way the brain regulates mood and thinking.
Prevention of Bipolar Disorder
Today, we still cannot prevent a person from having bipolar disorder. The causes of bipolar disorder are not always clear. Several factors could contribute to the onset of bipolar disorder. On the one hand, there are the genes (since it is a hereditary disease). And on the other hand, an abnormality in the structure and function of the brain.
Scientists are trying to learn more about the disorder through research that may help doctors predict whether a person will suffer from bipolar disorder. Someday, they may also be able to help doctors prevent the illness in some people.
What we can prevent to a large extent, in a person diagnosed with bipolar disorder, is the occurrence of episodes of mood decompensation (i.e. depression and mania). For this it is necessary to carry out an adequate treatment.