Symptoms, Causes, and Four Treatments of Bipolar Disorder

             Bipolar disorder commonly known as manic depression is a severe mental health disorder.  It is linked to genetics and is usually triggered by a stressful situation, such as being sexually abused, an illness, or an overwhelming life-altering problem.  It is characterized by extreme mood swings, which cause mania, which are emotional highs and depression, which are emotional lows.  

Symptoms:

• The main symptoms to look out for are a feeling of hopelessness, emptiness or worthlessness.  
• Lack of appetite, delusional thinking or pessimistic behaviors.
• A reduced need for sleep, high energy, and a loss of touch with reality characterize the symptoms of manic episodes.  
• Depressive episodes are characterized by low energy, low motivation, and a loss of interest in daily activities.  
• They may encompass unpredictable changes in mood which interfere with daily life.  These mood episodes may last days to months at a time. 
• Most also experience hallucinations or feel strange sensations that are not there.

Causes:

• The leading cause of bipolar disorder is a chemical imbalance in the brain.  This chemical imbalance of neurotransmitters is noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine.  
• During mania, noradrenaline levels are too high, and during depressional episodes, noradrenaline levels may be too low.

Treatment:

• The different treatment options for bipolar, are usually mood stabilizers.  
• Lithium is the most common mood stabilizer used to treat abnormal brain activity, preventing these episodes.
• Another alternative can be talk therapy, which proves treatment for emotional problems, stress, anxiety, and depression.
• Through this, specific practices, such as mindfulness and meditation can help to improve overall mental health.

Edited by TLC intern: Brigitte Black