Understanding Bipolar: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Definition of bipolar – Currently, there are many mental health disorders that are experienced by several people. One of them is bipolar disorder or mania depressive. According to WHO data for 2017, there are around 45 million people worldwide who experience bipolar disorder.

In addition, bipolar disorder is also one of the main causes of character defects in a person that can lead to death due to suicide. Bipolar disorder can also last a lifetime and can affect the daily conditions of sufferers.

Simply put, bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that can give a change in one’s mood, energy, activity level, ability to carry out daily activities to concentration.

For example, a person with bipolar disorder will initially feel very happy, but this condition immediately turns into very sad and hopeless.

So, maybe some of you have also experienced or maybe there are close friends and family who have bipolar disorder. It is very important for us to know more about dealing with bipolar disorder.

So that we know more about what causes or maybe how to cure bipolar disorder, this article will explain this in more detail.

Definition of Bipolar Disorder

Before we go deeper, it would be better if we studied together about the meaning of bipolar. Previously, it was briefly explained what bipolar disorder is. However, at this point it will be explained more broadly what is the meaning of bipolar.

Bipolar disorder, also known as bipolar disorder, is a mental disorder characterized by drastic changes in a person’s mood.

In general, humans can indeed be in a state of sadness, anger, happiness and other types of emotions. However, what happens if these emotions become uncontrollable. For example, in a condition where someone who was initially happy suddenly becomes sad. Well, that’s included in the bipolar disorder group.

There are two phases of disturbance that can cause bipolar disorder, namely the mania or rising phase and the depressive or descending phase. Where when a sufferer of bipolar disorder is still in the mania phase, then he will feel happy, enthusiastic and energized.

However, when a bipolar sufferer experiences a depressive phase, he will feel sluggish, weak to endless sadness.

 

Causes of Bipolar Disorder

Like other mental health disorders, bipolar disorder can also be caused by several things. There are at least three main causes of a person’s bipolar disorder. Starting from genetic factors, biological factors and environmental factors.

Now, for more details, you can read reviews of the three causes of bipolar condition in a person, as below.

1. Genetic Factors

Several studies explain that bipolar disorder is also related genetically. People with certain gangs are more likely to have bipolar disorder.

For example, when your parents or siblings have a history of bipolar disorder, it is more likely that you will experience the same condition. Even so, sufferers of bipolar disorder that originate from genetics are often unaware of this condition.

In addition, research at Johns Hopkins University explains that bipolar II disorder is more often found in people who have a family history of bipolar I and II disorders.

However, studies of identical and bipolar twins show different results. If one of the identical twins has bipolar disorder, it is not certain that the twin siblings will also experience the same condition. Though usually identical twins will have the same genes.

2. Biological Factors

Not only genetic factors, but biological disorders can also occur due to biological factors and brain structure. Where the structure or function of the brain cannot work normally and can increase the risk of mental illness, such as bipolar disorder.

Several studies explain that the brain structure of a person with bipolar disorder is different from the normal brain structure or other types of mental disorders. Experts also believe that bipolar disorder can be caused by disturbances in certain parts of the brain network.

In addition, the function of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters also has a role in causing disturbances in the function and structure of the brain.

3. Environmental Factors

Environmental factors and lifestyle also have an influence on the onset of the disorder and the development of bipolar disorder. The researchers explained that children of parents with bipolar disorder are more likely to get pressure from the environment.

This might have something to do with the changes in their parents’ moods which can indeed change drastically. Therefore, children who do not have bipolar disorder may also have the potential to experience other mental health disorders. Examples are like ADHD, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, or substance abuse.

Bipolar Symptoms

Bipolar disorder can also be identified by the presence of several symptoms. However, not everyone knows about these symptoms. Therefore, you must also know some of the symptoms of bipolar in order to help others.

Below is an explanation of the symptoms experienced by bipolar sufferers, including:

1. Manic Episodes

A manic episode is the first episode in which there are symptoms of bipolar disorder. In this episode, people with ordinary bipolar disorder will experience a situation that can trigger psychological conditions, such as feeling alien to the world around them. Usually these episodes require hospitalization.

When a bipolar sufferer is in a manic episode, there will usually be several symptoms. So you can read the symptoms of this manic episode below.

  • The presence of sexual desire is increasing.
  • Thoughts will be disconnected more quickly.
  • There is a feeling of joy that is not appropriate.
  • There is an assessment of something bad.
  • The need for sleep begins to decrease because the energy expended is quite high.
  • Speech speed will increase.
  • There is a thought to do many things simultaneously.
  • Doing inappropriate social behavior.
  • The confidence in him was quite high.
  • Significantly has an increase in the energy released.
  • Will experience a state of being too happy.
  • When experiencing sensitive conditions, it will usually be easier to offend.
  • Too passionate and full of energy.
  • Always have a focused mind.
  • Can do bad things.

2. Hypomanic Episodes

Hypomanic episodes are subsequent episodes that also include symptoms of bipolar disorder. Where this episode has a lower level of emotional development even though basically the harmonic episode also has a similarity in the happy phase which is quite large as well as the manic episode.

The presence of this episode can also be characterized by symptoms of a manic episode. For example, such as having higher thinking and speed in speaking, feeling so happy, there is an increase in the energy in the body and emotions towards feelings that easily get angry.

3. Depressive Episodes

The final episode of bipolar disorder symptoms is a depressive episode. In this episode, bipolar disorder usually has quite severe characteristics. In fact, this condition also causes someone who experiences it to be difficult to carry out daily activities.

There are several symptoms that appear in depressive episodes as explained below.

  • The occurrence of delusional states.
  • Have feelings that are very sad and easy to experience a state of despair.
  • Excessive worry.
  • Loss of interest in doing daily activities.
  • It’s hard to concentrate.
  • It’s easy to feel drowsy.
  • Lazy souls always surround him.
  • Meal portions are decreasing.
  • Having thoughts of committing suicide.
  • Hard to make a decision.
  • It is easier to tire or become slow because the energy expended will decrease.
  • Difficulty sleeping or having excessive sleep patterns.
  • Loss of interest in personal pleasures.
  • It’s easy to get angry.

Impact of Bipolar Disorder

Like other mental health disorders, bipolar disorder also has an impact on those who suffer from it. Therefore, people with bipolar need to take long-term and sustainable treatment.

However, before we learn together about how treatment can be done. It would be better if we also know the impact that bipolar disorder can have on sufferers.

So, below are some of the impacts that can occur when someone has bipolar disorder.

1. Self-Isolation

Every individual in this world certainly has its flaws. This also happens to people with bipolar disorder, where people with bipolar disorder will usually experience an impact to isolate themselves because they don’t like things around them.

There is a lack of commitment in a relationship and more often feel emotional and also depressed will make people with bipolar disorder feel like they are being isolated. Especially if people with bipolar disorder experience a failure, there will be a sense of alienation and distance when interacting with other people.

2. Inability to Control Emotions

Understanding of emotions or an ego is a conscious feeling that can be developed by humans when carrying out social interactions. The inability of a person to control emotions will be able to change according to experience and how to socialize.

Therefore, people with bipolar disorder must be able to provide motivation for attitudes and actions with the help of developing a positive mentality from social interaction. This is done because bipolar sufferers will have a difficult condition in controlling their emotions.

In addition, people with bipolar disorder are also very prone to having negative thought patterns that also experience self-isolation or even lose their social function which can exacerbate this situation in the process of controlling their emotions.

3. Drug Addiction

Currently, there are various types of drugs that can be used to treat bipolar disorder in a person. Where each type of drug will be adjusted to the condition of the patient and the symptoms he is experiencing. For example, drugs specifically for people with bipolar disorder, from manic and hypomanic episodes to depressive episodes.

Where bipolar sufferers also have to know whether they really need long-term treatment or not, it all also depends on the opinions and suggestions of the doctors who handle them.

Some people with bipolar disorder may also have a condition of dependence on drugs. Usually, this occurs when bipolar sufferers have no symptoms but still continue to take the medication prescribed to them.

Therefore, for bipolar sufferers who have no symptoms that appear it would be better to stop taking these drugs so they don’t become dependent. Even so, it is still necessary to consult with the relevant doctor so that he can provide regular control according to the schedule set for sufferers of bipolar disorder.

4. Suicide Attempt

The most fatal impact that may be experienced by people with bipolar disorder is a higher risk of suicide when entering a depressive episode. The pattern of thinking about death and attempts to commit suicide is one of the effects that often occurs in people with bipolar disorder.

Therefore, people with bipolar disorder also need to be given positive support from those around them. For example, support from family or friends which at the same time gives a sense of belief in a certain thing.

Apart from that, psychological needs are really needed by bipolar sufferers to avoid thoughts that can lead them to make harmful negative efforts such as suicide.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Bipolar disorder is a disease that can exist for life and the symptoms will come from time to time. Long-term and ongoing treatment is needed to help people with bipolar disorder manage their symptoms.

For those of you who have friends, relatives or really want to know more about the best treatment that can be done for owners of bipolar disorder, then the explanation below can help.

1. Using Certain Drugs

Types of drugs that are usually used to treat bipolar disorder can also usually be used to stabilize moods, antipsychotics and antidepressants. People with bipolar disorder who often experience problems such as difficulty sleeping will usually be advised by doctors to use sleeping pills or anti-anxiety prescriptions.

For people with bipolar disorder, it is not recommended to stop taking medication without first discussing it with the doctor concerned. Where when owners of bipolar disorder who stop treatment privately without consulting a doctor are more likely to experience a rebound condition or exacerbate the symptoms of bipolar disorder they are experiencing.

2. Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy or talk therapy is often used as part of a treatment plan for people with bipolar disorder. Psychotherapy itself is a term for various treatment techniques with the aim of helping a person identify and change the emotions, thoughts and behaviors that are bothering him.

Psychotherapy can also provide support, education and guidance for people with bipolar disorder and their families.

3. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Electroconvulsive Therapy or ECT is a brain stimulation procedure that can help people with bipolar disorder whose condition is quite severe. Electroconvulsive Therapy will usually be given together with anesthetic drugs and indeed this treatment is considered very safe to do.

Electroconvulsive therapy is usually used to treat participants’ episodes of depression and mania when other treatments have failed.

4. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS is the newest treatment which is usually used to stimulate the brain using a magnetic wave. Research shows that Transcranial magnetic stimulation can provide many benefits for people with various subtypes of depression.

Although the role of Transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of bipolar disorder also still needs further research.

So, that’s a review of the meaning of bipolar, to the treatment of bipolar disorder. Hopefully all the discussion above is useful and can add to your insight.

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