Bipolar Disorder
Is a bipolar person aware of their actions? Everything about the characteristics, causes, symptoms, and treatments of bipolar disorder.
Symptoms and Causes
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by mood alterations. It presents with episodes of opposing symptoms, alternating between depressive periods and episodes of elevated mood and vitality (manic or hypomanic episodes).
Based on the predominant episode and its characteristics, four types are recognized:
- Bipolar Disorder Type 1: Characterized by manic episodes, which often require hospitalization, alternating with periods of stability and major depressive episodes.
- Bipolar Disorder Type 2: Characterized by hypomanic episodes, which are milder and may not require hospitalization, alternating with periods of stability and major depressive episodes.
- Cyclothymic Disorder: Marked by more frequent but less intense mood fluctuations.
- Unspecified Bipolar Disorder: Exhibits mixed symptoms of mania, hypomania, and depression, but does not fully meet the criteria for the above types. Scientific consensus on its classification remains lacking.
Current treatments are effective in managing bipolar disorder and maintaining stability, although continuous therapy is usually necessary.
Symptoms
Symptoms of bipolar disorder vary according to the phase:
- Hypomanic or manic symptoms:
- Euphoria.
- Psychosis.
- Hyperactivity.
- Disinhibition.
- Grandiosity.
- Irritability.
- Delusions.
- Risk-taking behaviors.
- Depressive symptoms:
- Fatigue.
- Insomnia or hypersomnia.
- Loss of interest (anhedonia).
- Psychomotor retardation.
- Feelings of guilt.
- Suicidal ideation.
Causes
The etiology of bipolar disorder is currently considered primarily biological, although high-impact life events during early stages of life have been observed in some cases.
Risk Factors
Factors increasing the risk of bipolar disorder include:
- Family history.
- Genetic alterations.
- Traumatic experiences.
- Substance or alcohol abuse.
Complications
Untreated bipolar disorder can severely affect patients’ daily functioning and social life:
- Difficulty maintaining relationships.
- Poor academic or occupational performance.
- Legal problems.
- Suicide attempts.
- Risk-taking behaviors.
Prevention
Bipolar disorder cannot be prevented.
Which specialist treats bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is diagnosed and treated by clinical psychologists and psychiatrists.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves:
- Clinical history and interviews with family or close contacts, who often recognize symptoms and encourage the patient to seek help.
- Physical examination to rule out other pathologies.
- Psychological and psychiatric evaluation based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which defines diagnostic criteria and subtype classification.
Treatment
Management of bipolar disorder is based on two complementary approaches:
- Pharmacotherapy: Mood stabilizers to balance affective states.
- Psychotherapy: To
- Stabilize daily rhythms.
- Establish routines.
- Identify and replace negative behaviors with positive ones.
Additionally, psychoeducation sessions for patients and their families are recommended to enhance understanding of the disorder and improve coping strategies.
