Bipolar disorder is a type of brain disorder that can make the most ordinary and normal of moods appear very extreme. Sometimes referred to as manic depression or manic-depressive illness, this disorder is characterized by unusual extremes and highs and lows of mood, activity levels, energy and the ability to do regular everyday tasks such as get out of bed and go to work in the morning.
The causes of bipolar disorder are not completely understood by the medical community. However, doctors have noted that it does tend to run in families and therefore a genetic predisposition to develop it is suspected. It is believed that bipolar disorder is related to certain chemicals in the brain that have gotten out of balance. When this happens, it then makes it more difficult for the brain to do its work. Doctors also believe that bipolar disorder and hormone levels are connected with each other. Studies have shown that a link exists between the development of bipolar disorder and thyroid hormone levels.
Bipolar disorder can affect individuals of all different races and ethnic backgrounds. This is a disorder that has nothing to do with socioeconomic status, education level or chosen profession. Bipolar disorder often appears when an individual is in their teenage or young adult years. However it has often been known to show itself in children as young as six years of age and in older adults. Studies have shown that women who suffer from bipolar disorder tend to experience more depression then men do, and are at a higher risk for rapid cycling. Rapid cycling is when a person suffers from four or more mood episodes in any given year. Mood episodes or simply episodes are the name given to the mood swings that an individual who has been diagnosed with this disorder goes through.
Bipolar disorder is frequently mistaken for depression. Depression can be sneaky in that it can sometimes obscure other elements that point to a bipolar diagnosis. If substance abuse is added to the picture then it can become even murkier and may remain undiagnosed for a lengthy period of time.
A diagnosis for an individual who exhibits the classic symptoms of bipolar disorder, which include cycles of elation and depressive mood swings, is relatively easy to make because it follows a pattern. However not all patients show symptoms that are as clear cut. For example, there are patients who do suffer from bipolar disorder but their symptoms are anything but classic. Mania mood swings can be mild episodes that do not really seem to point to a problem and sometimes can be attributed to circumstances or a person's unique personality. - 32530
The causes of bipolar disorder are not completely understood by the medical community. However, doctors have noted that it does tend to run in families and therefore a genetic predisposition to develop it is suspected. It is believed that bipolar disorder is related to certain chemicals in the brain that have gotten out of balance. When this happens, it then makes it more difficult for the brain to do its work. Doctors also believe that bipolar disorder and hormone levels are connected with each other. Studies have shown that a link exists between the development of bipolar disorder and thyroid hormone levels.
Bipolar disorder can affect individuals of all different races and ethnic backgrounds. This is a disorder that has nothing to do with socioeconomic status, education level or chosen profession. Bipolar disorder often appears when an individual is in their teenage or young adult years. However it has often been known to show itself in children as young as six years of age and in older adults. Studies have shown that women who suffer from bipolar disorder tend to experience more depression then men do, and are at a higher risk for rapid cycling. Rapid cycling is when a person suffers from four or more mood episodes in any given year. Mood episodes or simply episodes are the name given to the mood swings that an individual who has been diagnosed with this disorder goes through.
Bipolar disorder is frequently mistaken for depression. Depression can be sneaky in that it can sometimes obscure other elements that point to a bipolar diagnosis. If substance abuse is added to the picture then it can become even murkier and may remain undiagnosed for a lengthy period of time.
A diagnosis for an individual who exhibits the classic symptoms of bipolar disorder, which include cycles of elation and depressive mood swings, is relatively easy to make because it follows a pattern. However not all patients show symptoms that are as clear cut. For example, there are patients who do suffer from bipolar disorder but their symptoms are anything but classic. Mania mood swings can be mild episodes that do not really seem to point to a problem and sometimes can be attributed to circumstances or a person's unique personality. - 32530
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Bipolar depression, also known as manic depressive disorder, is a serious form of depression that can't be ignored. Manic depressive illness can affect all aspects of a person's life, from their job to their relationships.
