Moody, insane and manic depression is all terms associated with those diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. The two categories of bipolar are type one or type 2 which type one being the most common as well as the most severe. Those diagnosed with type one are more prone to psychotic episodes as well as the various mood swings. Type two consists of alternating between depression and mild bouts of hypomania, these individuals rarely display severe mania. The disorder is equally distributed among males and females with both displaying similar symptoms.
There are an estimated two million Americans that have been diagnoses or display symptoms of bipolar disorder. The average age of onset occurs during the late teens to early adulthood; however, cases have been reported while in early childhood as well as late adulthood. Many of these individuals will experience the symptoms of several years before a diagnosis is made.
During a manic phase the individual displays extreme energy, excitement and an inability to contain desires. While in a manic phase it is not unusual for an individual to spend excessive amounts of money and in the majority of circumstances it is in the form of writing checks for extravagant purchases without money in the bank to cover the check. During a manic phase they are also known to be very generous with others by giving away valued items or buying expensive gifts. Those with type 1 disorder will have psychotic episodes that include hallucinations, delusions and bizarre thoughts. During a psychotic episode the individuals are unable to distinguish between real and imaginary, therefore they are at a greater risk of harm from environmental hazards.
The manic phase will vary in duration with the average being approximately two weeks, although it can last a month or longer. Immediately following the manic phase the individual will go into the depression phase which also has an average duration of two weeks, however, it often longer than the manic phase. During the depression phase, the individual poses an extremely high risk of suicide attempts and should be provided with increased observation. They also will sleep for several days at a time, have a decrease in appetite, have a very low level of energy and often seclude themselves from others during the entire phase.
Individuals with bipolar disorder also have an extremely high rate of substance abuse. The individual in an attempt to self medicate the symptoms of the disorder eventually becomes addicted to alcohol or drug use. This is referred to as a dual diagnosis, in that the individual is diagnoses with bipolar disorder as well as a substance abuse disorder. These individuals also will often display symptoms of seasonal affective disorder and post traumatic stress disorder which also classifies them as having a dual diagnosis.
The majority of individuals do not seek treatment until they are in the depressive phase, which usually only receives a diagnosis of depression resulting in them not being diagnosed as bipolar for many years. The disorder is treatable through therapy and medications. It is often difficult to get the bipolar individual into treatment when in the manic phase as they are energetic and feel good, therefore are under the false impression that they are no longer ill. These individuals also are notorious for going off of medications due to false beliefs that they feel fine so no longer are in need of the medication, when in reality the medications have leveled the moods. Bipolar individuals are continuously cycling through treatments and believing they are cured.
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