WHAT IS BIPOLAR?
BIPOLAR disorder (also known as bipolar affective disorder, manic-depressive disorder, or manic depression) is a psychiatric diagnosis for a mood disorder.
Individuals with bipolar disorder experience episodes of a frenzied state known as mania, typically alternating with episodes of depression.
At the lower levels of mania, known as hypomania, individuals appear energetic and excitable and may, in fact, be highly productive.
At a higher level, individuals begin to behave erratically and impulsively, often making poor decisions due to unrealistic ideas about the future.
They may also experience great difficulty with sleep. At the highest level, individuals can experience distorted beliefs about the world known as psychosis.
Individuals who experience manic episodes also commonly experience depressive episodes; some experience a mixed state in which features of both mania and depression are present at the same time.
Manic and depressive episodes typically last from a few days to several months and can be interspersed by periods of “normal” mood.
Current research suggests that about 4% of people experience some of the characteristic symptoms at some point in their life.
Prevalence is similar in men and women and, broadly, across different cultures and ethnic groups.
Genetic factors contribute substantially to the likelihood of developing bipolar disorder, and environmental factors are also implicated.
Bipolar disorder is often treated with mood stabilising medications and psychotherapy. Serious cases generally involve severe manic episodes with dangerous behaviour or suicidal tendencies.
There are widespread problems with social stigma, stereotypes, and prejudice against individuals with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder exhibiting psychotic symptoms can sometimes be misdiagnosed as having schizophrenia.
Medications used to treat bipolar disorder are known as mood stabilisers.
These work by reversing manic or depressive episodes and preventing relapses.
The first known and “gold standard” mood stabiliser is lithium, which is effective in treating acute manic episodes and preventing relapses, more so for manic than for depressive episodes.
Treatment with lithium carbonate has been strongly linked to a reduced risk of suicide, self-harm, and death in people with bipolar disorder.
Initially used as an anticonvulsant, sodium valproate has become a commonly prescribed treatment, and is effective in treating manic episodes.
Omega 3 fatty acids, in addition to normal pharmacological treatment, may have beneficial effects on depressive symptoms, although studies have been scarce and of variable quality.