Bipolar I Disorder
Bipolar I is a mental disorder that is also called manic depression. Bipolar I is one of three types of bipolar disorder. The main characteristics of bipolar disorder are episodes of depression and mania or euphoria that is not explained by the individuals situation.
The main symptom of Bipolar I is that the person has experienced a manic or mixed episode. An episode of mania causes irritability or euphoria, poor judgment, difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts, hyper-sexuality, impulsivity, an inflated self-esteem, and insomnia. Mania can cause the person to talk or move excessively.
Though they are not common symptoms of bipolar disorder, severe manic episodes can cause hallucinations and delusions. Hallucinations and delusions from mania reflect the feelings of grandiosity and self-importance caused by the mania. A person may have delusions of having superpowers or of being chosen by God.
Mixed episodes are combinations of mania and depression. A person may literally feel depressed, helpless, and hopeless one minute, and practically invincible the next. The switching between depressed and manic symptoms during a mixed episode may occur over minutes, hours, or days.
Bipolar I disorder differs from the other mood disorders by the presence of a manic or mixed episode. If a person who has clinical depression or Bipolar II disorder has a manic or mixed episode, the diagnosis should be changed to Bipolar I.
Treatment for Bipolar I disorder often includes both medication and cognitive therapy. Mood-stabilizing medications such as Depakote are often used to help even out the persons mood and prevent manic episodes.
Bipolar disorder is a medical condition. The person with bipolar disorder cannot turn off the symptoms just like someone with diabetes cannot wish the condition away.
For some people, the Bipolar I disorder causes very few problems while for others it may cause a daily struggle. A person with Bipolar I disorder may have different levels of severity in their lifetime. One episode may be severe while a previous one may have been mild.
Even if the person is taking their medication and actively participating in therapy, there may be a relapse of symptoms. If the symptoms return or worsen, the person should notify their mental health professionals.
Related posts:
- What Is Bipolar I Disorder? Bipolar I is a mental disorder that is also called manic depression. Bipolar I is one of three types of bipolar disorder. The main characteristics of bipolar disorder are episodes of depression and mania or euphoria that is not explained by the individuals situation....
- Bipolar II Disorder Bipolar II is one of the three types of bipolar disorder, formally known as manic depression. Bipolar II disorder is characterized by episodes of depression and hypomania....
- What Is Bipolar II Disorder? There are three types of bipolar disorder, also called manic depression. Bipolar II is a psychological disorder that causes episodes of depression and hypomania....
- Psychotic Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder And Depression When a person experiences hallucinations or delusions, this is considered psychosis. Hallucinations and delusions are misperceptions of reality....
- How Bipolar Disorder Affects The Life Of A Manic Depressive Patient Bipolar disorder is sometimes referred to as manic depression. Life of a manic depressive patient can be mildly to severely affected by bipolar disorder....
Written by Sheila Wilson on December 10th, 2009 with
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