Bipolar disorder is a mental condition that is known to cause extreme mood swings, which may include hypomania and depression. When you are depressed, you become hopeless and sad and consequently lose pleasure or interest in most activities. During hypomania or mania, you will feel euphoric, irritable, or full of energy. The episodes of extreme mood swings can be rare or they may occur several times in a year. Some patients experience emotional symptoms while others have no symptoms at all. The mood swings can negatively affect a patient’s behavior, sleep, judgment, energy, and ability to think clearly. Although this condition can last for a lifetime, you can manage it with the assistance of a reliable Lexington anesthesiologist with experience in the use of ketamine. Below are some important things that you should know about bipolar disorder.
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Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is associated with three main symptoms: mania, hypomania, and depression. When a patient has mania, they may experience an emotional high. This means that they will feel impulsive, excited, and euphoric. During maniac episodes, a patient may engage in behaviors such as drug abuse, unprotected sex, and spending sprees.
The symptoms of hypomania are similar to those experienced during episodes of mania, only that they are not as severe.
During episodes of depression, a patient may experience symptoms such as deep sadness, loss of energy, hopelessness, too much or too little sleep, lack of interest in things that were previously enjoyable, and suicidal thoughts.
Although bipolar disorder is a common condition, it is quite hard to diagnose due to its varied signs and symptoms.
Causes of Bipolar Disorder
Although bipolar disorder is not a rare mental disorder, it remains quite a mystery to researchers and medical practitioners. Researchers are yet to find a compelling reason why some people develop the condition and why others don’t. One of the possible causes of bipolar disorder has to do with genetics. As such, if you have close family members with bipolar disorder, there are high chances of developing the condition.
Bipolar disorder is also associated with the structure of the brain. Therefore, having abnormalities in the function and the structure of the brain can significantly increase the risk of developing the condition.
Last but not least, there are environmental factors that are believed to increase the risk of bipolar disorder. Some of them include having extreme stress, physical illness, and traumatic experiences.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment
Bipolar disorder can be managed in several ways. Some of the most common ways in which it can be treated include medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. Your doctor will assess your condition to determine the treatment that is best suited for you.
The Takeaway
Overall, it is apparent that bipolar disorder is quite a common mental disorder. Although it is usually a lifelong condition, working with a mental health specialist can go a long way in helping you to manage it. If you are looking for a reliable mental health specialist to assist you in this regard, Boston MindCare is an excellent facility to visit.
