Although some fluctuation in mood is normal, when it becomes so extreme that the person feels like their mood state shifts through low and high periods, this can indicate the presence of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a form of clinical depression that affects 1 to 2% of the population in a lifetime or about one in every five people with mood disorders. It does not discriminate among socio-economic groups and, unlike other kinds of depression, seems to affect men and women equally. What can elevate your risk though—by about 7%—is being the close relative of someone with the disorder.
The experience of bipolar disorder from person to person depends on how fast the individual moves through periods of depression and mania, how severe each extreme gets, and what else happens during each state (for instance, whether the person is experiencing psychosis, or a break with reality, during mania or depression.)
Despite these differences, an episode of bipolar disorder will feature a person experiencing cycles of moods, including periods of depression, normal mood and mania. Depressive symptoms are similar to those experienced by people undergoing a major depression. During this time, a person can feel a range of bodily symptoms affecting sleep, appetite, concentration and energy levels and a range of psychological symptoms including worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness and apathy.
In contrast, a person in a manic phase may suddenly experience an excessively high or elated mood. They may begin to talk rapidly, have little need for sleep, make grandiose plans and even start to carry them out. Such uncharacteristically risky or ambitious behaviour can sometimes land the person in trouble. For example, someone may spend money very freely and get into debt, or show disregard for the law. They may also show an uncharacteristic lack of judgement in their sexual behaviour. And as already mentioned, some people also have psychosis (e.g. delusions and hallucinations) during this time.
Although the illness can first strike at any age, it is most commonly developed in young adulthood, especially in one's 20s. Many people with the illness take years to be properly diagnosed because doctors often only see the patient when they are depressed and may fail to ask the right questions to diagnose bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder can take a mild, moderate or severe form depending on the number and intensity of the symptoms. Though people may struggle with the illness for many years, an episode itself is never permanent, lasting from several days to a number of months. With professional treatment, however, it may end much more quickly.
There are a number of possible causes of bipolar disorder. Bio-chemical factors are thought to play a large role. Since a person's risk of developing bipolar disorder increases if they have a close relative with the disorder, genes are thought to play an important part too. In addition, stress related to work, relationships, finances and other areas of life can trigger a bipolar episode.
Medications can often help to reduce, if not stop, the extreme mood swings associated with manic depression. Psychological therapy and the support of family, friends, support groups and other self-help strategies can also help people to lead fuller and more active lives.
Symptoms of Depression
feeling worthless, helpless or hopeless
sleeping more or less than usual
eating more or less than usual
having difficulty concentrating or making decisions
loss of interest in taking part in activities
decreased sex drive
avoiding other people
overwhelming feelings of sadness or grief
feeling unreasonably guilty
loss of energy, feeling very tired
thoughts of death or suicide
Symptoms of Mania
excessively high, elevated or irritable mood
unreasonable optimism or poor judgement
hyper-activity or racing thoughts
talkativeness, rapid speech (sometimes becoming incoherent)
decreased sleep
extremely short attention span
rapid shifts to rage or sadness
Celebrities with Bipolar Illness
A partial list of public figures who have made public their experiences with manic depression:
Alvin Ailey, choreographer
Ned Beatty, actor
Ludwig van Beethoven, composer
Art Buchwald, writer
Robert Campeau, Canadian real estate magnate
Winston Churchill, former British prime minister
Francis Ford Coppola, director
Patricia Cornwell, writer
John Daly, pro golfer
Gaetano Donizetti, composer
Patty Duke, actress
Carrie Fisher, actress, writer
Larry Flynt, magazine publisher
Shecky Greene, comedian
Linda Hamilton, actress
Jack Irons, musician
Margot Kidder, actress
Vivien Leigh, actress
Bill Lichtenstein, journalist
Joshua Logan, director, playwright
Robert Lowell, poet
Kristy McNichol, actress
Burgess Meredith, actor
Spike Milligan, comedian
Robert Munsch, writer
Jaco Pastorius, musician
Jimmy Piersall, pro baseball player, sportscaster
Charley Pride, musician
Axl Rose, musician
Alonzo Spellman, pro football player
James Taylor, musician
Ted Turner, media mogul
Dimitrius Underwood, pro football player
Jean-Claude Van Damme, actor, martial artist
Brian Wilson, musician
Bert Yancey, pro golfer
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