Bipolar disorder is a disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. It causes people to swing from episodes of mania to depression. People suffering from bipolar disorder are afflicted by episodes of depression more often than they are afflicted with mania. Each year over five million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder. An untreated bipolar person has a fifteen percent higher chance of committing suicide. Bipolar disorder is a leading cause of death in people who are fifteen to twenty four years old.
Bipolar disorder is found to run in families. A person diagnosed with bipolar disorder often has a parent who has a mood disorder. The two main symptoms of bipolar disorder are mania and depression. There are three main episodes that a person with bipolar disorder goes through. These episodes are: manic episode, depressive episode, and mixed episode. Mania is when the person's mood suddenly becomes more energetic and they are much more active. Mania can be triggered by medications, such as antipsychotic medication and antidepressant medication. Major illnesses or stressful events such as giving birth, a loved one's death, or sleep deprivation, are known to trigger mania. Depression is when the mood diminishes and there is a loss of energy so that person does not want to do anything. A mixed episode is when the person experiences both mania and depression in the same day.
The outcome can be very good if a patient continues with the prescribed therapy and medications. Once a person has diagnosed they should receive the proper medication, enter into psychotherapy, and receive psychoeducation. Unfortunately, studies show that many patients discontinue treatment after one year. Those who stop treatment are at a greater risk of committing suicide. They often lose their jobs and experience health problems.
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