Bipolar disorder is one of the numerous mental disorders and although millions around the globe have heard of it, yet people are still wondering what is bipolar? Bipolar refers to having to relate to two poles or extremities. In addition, these extremes are polar opposites of one another. In the context of the Bipolar disorder itself, it means the swinging of moods from one extremity to the other and in this case, it refers to depression, mania and having a mixed state.
Kraepelin introduced this bipolar disorder in 1921 who noticed the range of symptoms, patterns of episodes and impairments in functioning. Bipolar disorder has a lifetime of about 2 percent and the sufferers of this disease are unable to create long-term social relationships as well as a loss in productivity. The commencement of this disorder rarely occurs in childhood but is more common in the teens or 20’s. It is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability worldwide.
The two main stages of the bipolar disorder are depression and mania. Manic episodes are characterized by increased energy levels, exaggerated self-esteem, distractibility, hypersexality and increased involvement in erratic behavior. Whereas the depression phase, can be highlighted as filled with persistent sadness, inactivity, loss of vitality, social withdrawal and problems in sleeping and eating.
It is important to understand that the bipolar disorder has two basic classifications or categories: Bipolar II and I. The dimensional differences between the two can be explained by the term “Bipolar Spectrum” where the changes lie in the degree of Manic Depression, Depression + Hypomania and Hypomania associated with antidepressant medication. A number of key characteristics can distinguish between the two degrees of disorder. Bipolar I sufferers are likely to experience greater doses of mania and severe prolonged highs and thus more prone to hospitalization than the other.
Bipolar II sufferers in contrast, although suffer from hypomania but are characterized by periods of intense productivity. People suffering from this phenomenon can incur both highs and lows often at the same time. This category is also seen as relatively milder but associated with extended periods of more chronic depressive episodes with sub-syndrome symptoms and higher rates of suicide. Understanding, what is bipolar disorder is key to its treatment. Only when a proper distinction is made between the two categories can one effectively undertake treatment. In Bipolar I, the mood stabilizers lithium and the gold standard are prescribed but for the latter, the role of the mood stabilizers is increasingly opaque.
Women have to be more careful, as about 60 percent of females suffer from bipolar disorder and are more susceptible to a depressive or manic episode especially after childbirth. After gaining knowledge about this phenomenon, it is important for readers to be watchful and cautious in recognizing the symptoms in their own behavior and of their loved ones as quickly as possible so that proper treatment can be started and this disorder is correctly dealt with.