Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder characterized by periods of elevated in mood and depression. This is also known as maniac- depressive illness because the patient is characterized by both mania and depression. This bipolar disorder is mainly observed due to changes in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters secretions. During this that patient will be abnormally active, irritable or energetic (mania) and also feels like depressed and always thinks negatively (depression).

Causes: The causes vary from individuals and they maybe Genetic, Physiological, Environmental, Neurological, Neuroendocrinological and Evolutionary. Symptoms: The major signs and symptoms of this disorder can be categorized into various episodes like maniac episodes, Hypomanic episodes, Depressive episodes, Mixed effective episodes.

Treatment: This can be treated be a number of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic techniques. Physicians advice is most preferred.

The figures were found in a survey into people’s experiences of bipolar disorder, which affects an estimated 1 in 100 people in Ireland.Bipolar disorder causes bouts of depression alternating with periods of ‘highs’ for people who have it. Around 40,000 people in Ireland have it, with men and women equally affected.