Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder usually involves extreme moods of mania and depression, that rapidly alternate. This disease shows no organic cause and therefore is generally treated by a psychiatrist.

During diagnosis and initial treatment a psychiatrist will compile a complete medical history of the patient and family medical history, as bipolar disorder seems to have genetic origins. A complete physical exam will be done in order to rule out any physical disorders that may be causing symptoms.

Treatment is generally done with the use of medications and/or counseling. There are several types of medications used in treatment and some of them are used in combination with each other. The most commonly used are called mood stabilizers. Lithium is used both in acute and long-term treatment. Lithium is distributed through the central nervous system and interacts with neurotransmitters and receptors. There are sometimes long-term effects to the kidneys, distortion of the bladder and urinary tract. Another of these is sodium valporate, which was originally used as an anticonvulsant for epilepsy. It is now being used for bipolar disorder to prevent further episodes. This is drug, when used by pregnant women, has been known to cause fetal abnormalities such as spinal bifida, facial phenotype, autism, ADHA, vision defects, dyslexia, dysphasia, delayed speech and motor development.

Another type of drug used in the treatment of bipolar disorder are neuroleptics or antipsychotics. These are used to treat episodes and for maintenance. Olanzapine works on the nervous system. It seems to effect the histamine, cholinergic muscarinic and alpha adrenergic receptors less than older antipsychotic do. Chlorpromazine also works on the central nervous system. It has a variety of side effects, constipation, sedation, hypotension and antiemetic properties.