Bipolar disorder, previously known as manic depression, is a psychological health issue, which occurs due to significant mood swings, consisting of emotional lows (depression) and highs (hypomania). You have a sad or hopeless feeling or may lose pleasure/interest in most of the activities when you are depressed. On the shifting of your mood to hypomania or mania, you have euphoric, which is typically irritable. The swings in your mood impact your sleep, behaviour, thinking, activity, and energy severely.
Here are some practical ways for your help:
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Try to find out the root causes
Even in the 21st century, psychiatrists don’t know what exactly causes bipolar disorder. It is assumed that the origins of bipolar disorder are a combination of environmental and biological factors. The possible risk factors genetics, a family history of psychological disorders, and the structure and function of the brain.
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Have a sound idea about bipolar disorder symptoms
Bipolar disorder is of four types – Depression, hypomania, Cyclothymic disorder, and others. Two types (mania/hypomania and depression) out of these four are more significant. In the case of hypomania, you have signs like:
- Abnormal upbeat
- Enhanced energy, activity, or agitation
- Lack of sleep
- Racing thoughts
- Unusual talkativeness
- Poor decision
In the depressive mode, you may have:
- Loss of energy
- Fatigue
- Increased need for sleep or insomnia
- Inability to concentrate
- Temptation of suicide
- Depressed mood, hopeless
- Significant decrease in pleasure or interest
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Be aware of bipolar disorder complications
For a better physical and psychological disorder, you should have an idea about the difficulties that you can face if you ignore it or you leave it untreated. On constant ignorance, you have complications like:
- Poor performance in study or at work
- Suicide attempts
- Damaged relationships
- Significant increase in drug or alcoholic drink usage
- Financial or legal problems
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Go for proper bipolar disorder diagnosis
You should never ignore extreme swings in your mood. Consult a clinical psychologist when you notice frequent occurrences of mood swings and disability in taking a wise decision. The doctor will evaluate your condition via:
- Physical examination – Your doctor may advise some lab tests to know whether you have medical problems causing the signs of bipolar disorder.
- Psychological assessment – The doctor will talk to for a certain period to identify your thinking, behaviour patterns, and feelings. Your psychologist may ask you to fill up a questionnaire.
- Charting of your mood – Your doctor will keep a close watch on your sleep and mood patterns to get the right treatment for you.
- Compare the criteria – The expert will compare the symptoms you have with the criteria for bipolar and associated disorders.
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Take prescribed medications, and bring changes in your lifestyle
Based on physical as well as psychological assessment, your doctor can prescribe a few medicines, including Latuda (Lurasidone) to have a balance in your mood swings. Your medications may include Mood stabilizers, Antipsychotics, Antidepressants, Antidepressant-antipsychotic, and Anti-anxiety medications. Apart from medicines, your bipolar disorder treatment may include:
- Continued treatment
- Day treatment programs
- Substance abuse treatment plan
- Hospitalization
The lifestyle changes you need to bring in you are:
- No to alcoholic drinks or drug usage
- Strict follow of your daily activities
- Have proper rest
- Human support from family members or close friends
Your bipolar disorder treatment may consist of psychological therapies, like IPSRT (Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy), CBT (Cognitive behavioural therapy), and family-focused therapy.
Conclusion
Bipolar disorder has a direct link to your mood, and extreme swings in your mood can create problems for you. It has an association with environmental and biological factors. As it becomes problematic and affects your thinking ability, so you need to treat it well. Getting in touch with a psychiatrist will be beneficial for you. After analyzing your physical and psychological conditions, the expert will treat you, and the treatment can include medications and mental therapy. Follow your doctor’s advice to get well soon.
