Transcript What are the causes of bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder
Bipolar (also known as manicdepressive-illness) causes severe
mood swings, that usually last
several weeks or months and
can be:
•
•
•
Low mood, intense
depression and despair.
High or ‘manic’ feelings of
joy, over-activity and loss of
inhibitions.
A 'mixed state' such as a
depressed mood with the
restlessness and overactivity of a manic episode.
Who develops bipolar disorder?
Anyone can develop bipolar
disorder, including children
and teens. However, most
people with bipolar disorder
develop it in their late teen
or early adult years. The
illness usually lasts a
lifetime.
How is bipolar disorder different in children and
teens than it is in adults?
When children develop the
illness, it is called early-onset
bipolar disorder. This type
can be more severe than
bipolar disorder in older teens
and adults. Also, young
people with bipolar disorder
may have symptoms more
often and switch moods more
frequently than adults with
the illness.
What are
the causes
of bipolar
disorder?
The exact causes of bipolar disorder
aren't known, but it’s thought the
following play a part in the
condition:
• Genes seem to be important; if
you have a relative with bipolar
disorder, then your chance of
developing the condition is
higher.
• There may be a physical problem
with the brain systems which
control mood - so bipolar
disorder can often be controlled
with medication.
• Stress can trigger mood swings.
What are
the few
types of
Bipolar
Disorder?
There are a number of types of bipolar
disorder:
• Bipolar I. There has been at least one high, or
manic episode, which lasts for longer than
one week. You may have only manic
episodes, although most people will also
have periods of depression.
• Bipolar II. Where you have more than one
episode of severe depression, but only mild
manic episodes (called ‘hypomania’).
• Rapid cycling. You have had more than four
mood swings happen over a 12 month
period. This affects around one in ten people
with the condition.
• Cyclothymia . The mood swings are not as
bad, but are often longer.
What are the
Symptoms?
Mania
• General elation
• Feeling more important than
usual
• Full of energy or ideas; moving
quickly from one idea to
another
• Unable, or don't want to sleep
• More interested than usual in
sex
• Making unrealistic plans
• Overactive, talking quickly
• Irritable with other people who
can't go along with your mood
or ideas
• Spending money recklessly
Depression
• Feelings of unhappiness that won’t
go away
• Agitation and restlessness
• Loss of confidence
• Feeling useless, inadequate or
hopeless
• Unable to think positively
• Can't concentrate or make even
simple decisions
• Loss of appetite
• Sleeping problems including waking
early in the morning
• Lack of interest in sex
• Avoiding other people
• Thoughts of suicide
Psychotic symptoms
If a mood swing becomes very
severe, you may have 'psychotic’
symptoms. These include:
• When depressed, you feel
guilty, worse than anybody
else, or even that you don't
exist.
• When manic, you may feel
you’re on an important
mission or you have special
powers or abilities.
• You might also experience
hallucinations - when you
hear, smell, feel or see
something that isn’t there.
The depressive phase of bipolar disorder is
often very severe, and suicide is a major
risk factor. In fact, people suffering from
bipolar disorder are more likely to attempt
suicide than those suffering from regular
depression. Furthermore, their suicide
attempts tend to be more lethal.
The risk of suicide is even higher in people
with bipolar disorder who have frequent
depressive episodes, mixed episodes, a
history of alcohol or drug abuse, a family
history of suicide, or an early onset of the
disease.
The warning signs of suicide include:
•Talking about death, self-harm, or suicide
•Feeling hopeless or helpless
•Feeling worthless or like a burden to
others
•Acting recklessly, as if one has a “death
wish”
•Putting affairs in order or saying goodbye
•Seeking out weapons or pills that could be
used to commit suicide
Bipolar
disorder and
suicide
What are the
Treatment?
There are three groups of mood stabilisers, which can
take several months to work properly.
• Lithium is used to treat both
manic and depressive episodes.
It can be harmful if the dose is
too high, so regular blood tests
are needed. Side-effects include
feeling thirsty, passing lots of
urine and weight gain.
• Anticonvulsants - used in
epilepsy.
• ‘Atypical’ antipsychotics - used to
treat schizophrenia.
Psychological treatments can be particularly helpful in
between episodes of mania or depression.
They include:
• Psychoeducation – finding out more
about bipolar disorder
• Mood monitoring – to help you pick up
when your mood is swinging
• Mood strategies – to help you stop your
mood swings going into a full-blown
manic or depressive episode
• Developing general coping skills
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for
depression0
Self help treatments can help with episodes of
bipolar, including:
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Recognising the signs that your mood is
swinging out of control so you can get help
early.
•
Finding out as much as you can about the
condition.
•
Avoiding particularly stressful situations.
•
Having at least one person that you can rely
on and confide in. When you’re well, make
sure that they understand about bipolar
disorder.
•
Balancing your life, work, leisure-time and
relationships.
•
Exercising for 20 minutes or so, three times
a week, should improve your mood.
•
Doing things you enjoy.
Remember, stopping
your medication
suddenly can trigger
another mood swing.
You may also want to
write an ‘advance
directive’ with your
doctor and family to
say how you want to
be treated if you
become unwell again.
Helping someone with Bipolar disorder
When someone is depressed, it can be difficult
to know what to say. They may see everything in
a negative light and not be able to say what they
want you to do. Listen and be patient and
understanding.
During mania, the person will appear to be
happy, energetic or outgoing, but the
excitement of any social situations will tend to
push their mood even higher. Try to steer them
away from parties or heated discussions, and try
to persuade them to get help.
In between mood episodes, find out more about
bipolar disorder. Go to appointments with them
(if they’re happy for you to do this) and make
sure you give yourself space and time to
recharge your batteries.
Get treated!