Bipolar disorder can be complicated to live with, but there are ways to deal with the symptoms. It affects about 5.7 million adult Americans and is treatable with medications. Medication can help reduce the symptoms and side effects, but you must stick to a treatment plan. Other treatment options include talk therapy. This therapy helps you stabilize your mood and adhere to a treatment plan. However, talking about painful life experiences can be emotionally challenging. For this reason, you should talk to trusted people and take extra care of yourself.
It affects 5.7 million adult Americans.
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder, is a chronic brain and behavior disorder that can be difficult to live with. It causes extreme mood swings and energy levels, which can interfere with a person’s ability to function. It affects approximately 5.7 million adults annually, typically beginning in late adolescence or early adulthood. Unfortunately, many people live with this disorder for years without seeking a proper diagnosis.
People with bipolar disorder often self-medicate to control their symptoms, which may lead to substance abuse and addiction. Bipolar and addiction have a 60% comorbidity rate. Another risk factor for developing bipolar and addiction is obesity, which is common among bipolar people. Combined, these risk factors increase a patient’s risk of heart disease and other health problems.
Several types of bipolar disorder exist, including bipolar I and bipolar II. Bipolar I is the most severe form, characterized by rapid episodes of mania and depression. The other type, cyclothymic disorder, is similar to bipolar II but characterized by less severe episodes. In the United States, about 2.6% of the adult population suffers from bipolar disorder, affecting both men and women. However, men are more likely than women to develop the disorder when they’re young.
It can be treated with medication.
Several ways to treat bipolar disorder include antidepressants and mood-stabilizing medications. These can be used alone or in combination with other forms of treatment, including psychotherapy. Your doctor can help you decide on the right combination of medication based on your specific condition and symptoms. Psychotherapy is also an essential tool for many people and is often beneficial in between episodes of mania and depression. It usually involves 16 sessions, each lasting about an hour, over six to nine months.
A food diary will help you better understand your symptoms. You can also use a mood scale developed by Bipolar UK. Your GP can also refer you to a psychiatrist if your symptoms are too severe to handle on your own. If you are a danger to yourself or others, you should seek help as soon as possible.
While there is no cure for bipolar disorder, treatment can help you live an everyday life despite your condition. A long-term treatment plan that includes medication and therapy will reduce your symptoms to help you live a meaningful life. Continue seeing your healthcare team and talking to your loved ones to stay as stable as possible.
It causes physical changes in the brain.
Bipolar disorder is a severe condition that causes extreme mood changes. Researchers have found that the brain of those suffering from the disorder experiences changes in structural and functional areas. The hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, gray matter, and neurotransmitters are all affected. However, the exact cause of these changes is unclear.
The brain is a complex organ that controls emotions, memory, and learning. It also controls stress responses and helps with sensory integration. In bipolar disorder, the brain has reduced volumes of several areas of gray matter, including the hippocampus, which plays a crucial role in emotional regulation and memory retrieval.
Because of brain changes, people with bipolar disorder may have trouble concentrating. Their thoughts may be racing, and they may talk faster than usual. They may also have trouble sleeping.
