More Subjects
Bipolar Disorder
Submitted by
Affiliation
Date
Overview
Bipolar disorder, previously called manic-depressive syndrome, causes mood swings from emotional upsurge (mania or hypomania) to recession (depression). In the depressive phase, you may feel longing and hopelessness, lose interest in life and not enjoy what you liked before. When the mood changes in the opposite direction, you experience euphoria and are full of energy. Mood swings can occur several times a year or several times a week.
Symptoms
There are several types of bipolar disorder and related conditions. For each type, specific symptoms may differ from individual to individual. Bipolar disorders of types I and II may also be accompanied by some additional specific manifestations that can be added to the diagnosis based on specific symptoms and manifestations.
Criteria for episodes of mania and hypomania
The following criteria for diagnosing episodes of mania and hypomania are presented in the DSM-5 classification:
An episode of mania is a period of time that is characterized by a constant pathologically elevated mood, expansiveness, or irritability and lasts at least one week (or less if hospitalization was necessary). This episode is also characterized by constantly increased focused activity and energy boost. (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
An episode of hypomania is a period of time characterized by a constant pathologically elevated mood, expansiveness, or irritability for at least four consecutive days. To diagnose mania and hypomania, three or more of the symptoms described below should be present and significantly change the usual behavior of a person against the background of arousal and a surge of energy (four, if only irritability is present):
Increased self-esteem and ideas of greatness (grandeur)
Reduced need for sleep (for example, you feel rested after three hours of sleep)
Increased talkativeness
Speeding up the flow of thoughts (leap of ideas)
Pathologically increased distractibility
Increased focused activity (both social, at work or school, and sexual) or arousal
Unusual actions, the consequences of which can be potentially dangerous. For example, making many meaningless purchases, sexual illegibility or stupid enterprise.
To be considered an episode of mania:
A mood disorder should be serious enough and lead to expressed difficulties in work, training, social activities or relationships, or cause the need for hospitalization to prevent a person from harming himself or others; or cause the development of psychosis, a condition in which the perception of the real world and behavior are grossly violated. Symptoms cannot be explained by the use of alcohol, drugs, medication, or any kind of physical illness.
Treatment
It is best if the treatment is performed by a psychiatrist specializing in the treatment of bipolar disorder and related disorders. A team of specialists including a psychologist, a social worker and a nurse can also be involved in treatment. Depending on what you need, treatment includes:
Starting therapy. Often it is required to start taking medications that will reduce mood swings and bring him back to normal. Taking control of the symptoms, you can work with your doctor to work out the most optimal tactics for further treatment.
Maintenance therapy. Bipolar disorder requires treatment throughout your life, even during periods when you feel good. Supportive therapy is used to constantly monitor the course of the disease. People who interrupt maintenance therapy are at increased risk for symptoms of bipolar disorder, depression, and mania.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an essential part of treating bipolar disorder and can be individual, family, or group. The following types of psychotherapy may be helpful:
Cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of psychotherapy is aimed at identifying pathological, negative ideas and actions and changing them with healthy and positive ones. Cognitive-behavioral therapy reveals the causes of bipolar episodes, and also allows you to learn how to effectively deal with stress and traumatic situations.
Interpersonal and social rhythmic therapy. This type of psychotherapy is aimed at stabilizing the sleep, wakefulness and eating times, which helps to normalize mood. People with bipolar disorder feel better if their daily routine is streamlined and their sleep, meals, and physical activity are timed.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
(DSM-5®). American Psychiatric Pub.
More Subjects
Join our mailing list
© All Rights Reserved 2024