Bipolar disorder is a much named illness about which there is a great deal of information. We will try to clarify exactly what it is and how it is treated. We can define bipolar disorder as an affective disorder in which the patient goes through stages of total normality interrupted by depressive phases and/or phases of euphoria in which, in severe cases, they may even lose the link with reality. And, although it is not known, it is a disorder that has an important genetic burden.
Among the disorder itself, which appears between the second and fourth decade of life, we can differentiate four types of phases that usually have a seasonal association: depressive phases, manic phases (severe, with worse prognosis), hypomanic phases (milder) and hypomanic phases precipitated by antidepressants (with better prognosis).
Symptoms
About 40% of the population suffering from bipolar disorder is still unaware of it. The symptoms will depend on the severity of the disorder, although the depressive phase presents with sad mood, lack of energy, inability to enjoy, relational isolation, irritability, lack of appetite, weight loss, hyposexuality, slowing of movement, speech and thought, maintenance insomnia and worsening in the morning. On the other hand, the hypomanic phase is characterized by euphoria, increased self-confidence, increased activity and expenditure, increased speed of thought and speech, hypersexuality and insomnia of conciliation or total insomnia and can worsen to a manic phase with the appearance of aggressiveness and psychotic symptoms.
Treatment
Pharmacotherapy is essential to treat bipolar disorder, although the key is the stabilization of the picture with mood stabilizers and certain antipsychotics that also prevent and/or attenuate the manic phases. In addition, psychoeducation of the patient and patient-physician collaboration leads to an improvement in prognosis and a decrease in the serious complications that characterize this disease.